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WELCOME SAINTS FANS
TO THE 2021 FOOTBALL SEASON>>> Our teams are ready for another exciting season of Saints Football! Our amazing student-athletes have invested time, energy and effort so they can achieve their goal of representing Xavier Prep High School both on the field and in the classroom. A very big thank you to Gameday Media! They did a phenomenal job with the overall design of our Saints media guide, and were courteous and professional throughout the entire process. Also, thank you to all of our sponsors for their continued support of our athletic programs, and for purchasing ads in this media guide you are currently holding. Please patronize the businesses and services advertising in our Football media guide and let them know how much Saints fans appreciate their support of our teams! Be sure to tell them,
“I SAW YOU IN THE SAINTS MEDIA GUIDE!” Lastly, thank you for being at the game tonight and throughout the season. Enjoy the accomplishments of our student-athletes and the coaches, along with the efforts of the game officials. Your presence today lets them all know how valuable their participation is, and how much their Saints community appreciates their hard work and commitment. Please play a role in the success of the game by being a positive and supportive fan.
XAVIER PREP 2021 MEDIA GUIDE PRODUCED BY: GAMEDAY MEDIA
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Chris Alling
PRINCIPAL - XAVIER PREP HIGH SCHOOL
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COPYRIGHT © 2021 PRINTED ON POST CONSUMER PAPER
VA R S I T Y S C HE D UL E 2021 XAVIER PREP FOOTBALL
VA R S I T Y S C HE D UL E 2021 XAVIER PREP FOOTBALL
19 26 02 MARCH
MARCH
VS RANCHO MIRAGE
AT PALM SPRINGS
VS PALM DESERT
XAVIER PREP
PALM SPRINGS
XAVIER PREP
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
HIGH SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
09 17 APRIL
HIGH SCHOOL
APRIL
AT LA QUINTA
AT SHADOW HILLS
LA QUINTA
SHADOW HILLS
7:00 PM
5:00 PM
HIGH SCHOOL
APRIL
HIGH SCHOOL
SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. FOR UPDATES VISIT: XAVIERPREP.ORG
HOME GAME
AWAY GAME
C OAC H I NG S TA F F 2021 XAVIER PREP FOOTBALL
>>A MESSAGE FROM THE FOOTBALL
HEAD COACH HELLO SAINT NATION,
Thank you for your continued support as we eagerly get back to playing the game we love. This group of guys has been committed since spring football way back in April of 2020. After meeting on zoom every day in the summer, three times a week in the fall, 5am workouts in the winter, we cannot wait to go out there and represent this community to the best of our ability. Big thank you to everyone who has helped make this possible. To our teachers, staff, faculty, donors, and community, thank you for all you do to help us play this game. We look forward to a time when our bleachers are full of black and gold, but until then, however you may be watching we hope to make you proud. GOD BLESS & GO SAINTS!
James Dockery Varsity Head Coach
James Dockery >> VARSITY HEAD COACH Head Coach James Dockery is in his fourth year at Xavier College Prep High School. He is a native of Palm Desert and attended both Palm Desert Charter Middle School and Palm Desert High School. Coach Dockery played football and basketball for the Aztecs, leading both programs to league titles. Coach Dockery received a full athletic scholarship to play football for Oregon State University. James served as team captain for the Beavers his senior year and was selected as an ALL-PAC 10 corner back. After graduating with a degree in Business Administration, Coach Dockery went undrafted to the Cleveland Browns. Coach Dockery was one of only three undrafted players to make the final roster. At the end of one season with the Browns, Coach Dockery went on to play for the Carolina Panthers for three seasons. During his time in Charlotte, the Panthers won back-to-back NFC South Championships. Coach Dockery would finish up his playing career in California with the Oakland Raiders. He recently received his Master’s degree in Athletic Administration. Coach Dockery’s family includes his wife, Andreina, whom he met while at Oregon State; four- year-old son, Xander; two-year old son, Reign and two French Bulldogs, Lucius and Leonidas. In his spare time, Coach Dockery enjoys golfing, hosting family and friends, and visiting Cardiff State Beach with his family. Stop by Doc’s barbershop in the Westfield Mall and say hello.
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C OAC H I N G S TA F F
2021 XAVIER PREP FOOTBALL
Chuck Cervello >> ASSISTANT HEAD VARSITY COACH / JV HEAD COACH / VARSITY LINEBACKERS Coach Chuck Cervello was raised in the Coachella Valley. He played tight end and linebacker at Indio High School and then wide receiver at College of the Desert. His second year at COD included a championship season and ended with a win in the Southern California Bowl. After graduating from COD, Coach Cervello has been employed as a law enforcement officer for the past twenty-nine years. Coach Cervello has coached several sports, including football for the past twenty years. He has coached youth football for many years, including four trips to the AYF National Championships in Florida. He has been coaching JV and Varsity football at Xavier Prep for the past ten years. His coaching responsibilities at Xavier have included roles as a position coach, offensive and defensive coordinator, and the JV Head Coach. Coach Cervello is married to Terry Cervello, who is the Xavier Registrar. They have five children, three have graduated from Xavier and the forth, Braden, is a freshman and also plays football for Xavier. Coach Cervello’s favorite memories as a player include the time spent with his childhood friends and game day Fridays wearing his jersey to school. His favorite coaching memories range from watching freshman teenagers mature into men to being a part of the historic overtime win in the inaugural DVL season over Palm Desert.
Michael Karls >> OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR / QB COACH Coach Karl’s is returning for his fourth season for the Xavier Saints. Michael is a graduate of Palm Springs High School where he excelled at quarterback, leading Palm Springs to the school's first ever CIF Championship in 2009. Coach Karl’s received a full scholarship to play football at Midland University, breaking multiple school records, as well as earning his degree in Business Administration; with a minor in Coaching. Coach Karl’s has over twenty years of football experience, and is currently the starting quarterback for the SoCal Coyotes. He has set numerous passing records, and is currently 2nd all-time on the Coyotes passing list. In Coach Karls' spare time, he is a beacon in his community, training athletes of all ages and volunteering to speak to them about the importance of being a leader of your own life and using the motto: Faith, Family, Football. Coach Karls' family includes his mother, Wanda; father, Mike; and sister, Brittany. Coach Karl’s brings an abundance of confidence, energy, and passion to our program and we are extremely blessed to have him.
Nick Xalis >> DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR / OPERATIONS Coach Nick Xalis graduated from Palm Desert High School in 2006. He was cocaptain of the football team with Coach Dockery for the undefeated team their senior year. During his playing days, Nick set records at Palm Desert for most tackles in a season. Coach Xalis was an All-DVL and All-CIF linebacker during high school. Coach Xalis went on to play football at Mayville State of the NAIA. Coach Xalis has been coaching at Xavier for four seasons and will be responsible for calling the defense this year. Nick has a passion for teaching young football players the importance of proper tackling technique. Coach Xalis’ favorite football memories include his undefeated season in high school as well as being a part of the historic playoff run with the 2018 Xavier Saints. In Coach Xalis’ spare time, he enjoys doing CrossFit and gaming. Coach Xalis’ family includes his mother, Christy; sister, Tasha; niece, Katie; nephews, Jackson and Harrison; and grandpa, Scott. We are extremely grateful to have Coach Xalis on Staff.
C OAC H I NG S TA F F 2021 XAVIER PREP FOOTBALL
Steve Escobedo >> JV ASSISTANT HEAD COACH / VARSITY DEFENSIVE LINE Coach Steve Escobedo is in his third season with the Xavier Saints. Coach Escobedo spent his high school days in Idaho at Mountain Home and Nampa High School. Coach Escobedo started playing football at the age of thirteen and earned the opportunity to walk-on at Boise State University. Prior to joining the Saints’ coaching staff, Escobedo spent seven years coaching the Shadow Hills youth with Chuck Cervello. They won one Super Bowl and appeared in two others. Coach Escobedo’s favorite football memory is participating in the State Championship as a junior. He also participated in the Shriners all-star game his senior year. When coach Escobedo isn’t coaching, he enjoys cooking on the grill, listening to music of all genres, coaching various sports, and spending time with family. Coach Escobedo’s family includes his wife, Glenda; son, Cristian (Xavier student), and daughters, Meriah and Sabella. We are grateful to have Coach Escobedo in our program.
Brett Turek >> VARSITY SPECIAL TEAMS/ JV OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR Coach Brett Turek is originally from Illinois, where he played four years of high school football for Hinsdale Central. Upon graduation he enlisted in the Marine Corps and completed his recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego. After several years on active-duty Coach Turek started playing football again for the Camp Pendleton intramural league, which consists of 10 teams from various units across Camp Pendleton. In 1997 Coach Turek transitioned from player to coach and continued coaching off and on until his retirement from the Marine Corps in 2012, winning two base championships, one at Camp Pendleton and another at Twenty-nine Palms Brett took a job as a military contractor in the United Arab Emirates, where he was introduced to the Emirates American Football league. The league consisted of several Emirates with teams at various levels from youth programs to an adult league. While there he served as an O line coach, defensive coordinator, offensive coordinator, and head coach. In the five years as a coach in Dubai he was part of two championship teams, winning the desert bowl both times they appeared. In 2017 Coach Turek and his family moved back to the US settling in La Quinta, where he joined the Xavier coaching staff. Coach Turek is married to the former Lora Hyslop from Atwater California. They have three children Brandon, who is currently on active duty as a Marine, Brenna, a former Marine and Katie, a 2019 graduate of Xavier. She is currently a sophomore at ASU and a member of the NROTC program.
James Toland-III
>> RUNNING BACKS/ RETURNERS / JV DEFENSIVE BACKS/RECEIVERS
Coach James Toland is returning for his fourth season at Xavier Prep, where he will be coaching running backs and helping to develop returners in the special teams’ phase. Coach Toland is originally from Hartford, Connecticut. He has over twenty years of coaching experience as well as eight years of playing experience. One of Coach Toland‘s favorite playing memories is being the recipient of the Joe Scalzo Award for special-teams while playing for COD. When Coach Toland isn’t coaching or working, he enjoys personal training and spending time with his family. Coach Toland’s family includes his wife, Salina; Xavier students, Kylah and Jadon; sons, James IV and Jonah; daughters, Jada, Leyah, Shaley, Quantaysha, Lanasha, and Amor. Amor is a 2020 graduate of Xavier. We are very fortunate to have Coach Toland on staff with us again.
C OAC H I N G S TA F F
2021 XAVIER PREP FOOTBALL
Gavin Bailey >> JV DEFENSIVE BACKS / RECEIVERS COACH Coach Bailey has been a resident of the Coachella Valley for the past 15 yrs. He has spent the last seven years coaching Youth Soccer, Baseball and Junior football. Coach Bailey has two children a son and a daughter. He has had the great pleasure of coaching his son in youth sports. Coach enjoys watching the development of the players and being a part of the team spirit. His best memory is taking his youth football team to the Youth Football Super Bowl.
Cliff Daft >> EQUIPMENT / DEFENSIVE LINE COACH Coach Cliff Daft played high school football in Idaho. He had an injury during his high school football years so continued to college where he helped with the football program at the University of Idaho. He has been coaching various football teams since 1998. His experience includes coaching for Friday Night Lights, YMCA Flag, and PDLQ tackle. He is an avid football fan and is a welcome addition to the Xavier Football Staff. His daughter, Kaitlyn, is a Senior at Xavier. His son, Tyler, will be a freshman for the 2021/ 2022 school year.
Maurice Scott >> RECEIVER COACH Coach Maurice Scott is another Xavier Coach who grew up playing football in the Coachella Valley. He played for Palm Springs High and after graduating in 1997, he played for College of the Desert until 1999. After leaving COD, Coach Maurice played football at Clark Atlanta University. He then returned to the Coachella Valley and coached football at PSHS from 2004 to 2007. He and his wife Leslie have two children, Noah and Victoria Scott. Noah is a sophomore and plays football for Xavier.
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C OAC H I NG S TA F F 2021 XAVIER PREP FOOTBALL
Matthew Cantu >> VARSITY OFFENSIVE LINE / RUN GAME SPECIALIST Coach Matthew Cantu is currently in his third season coaching for the Xavier Saints. Coach Cantu is a graduate of Palm Desert High School where he was a four-year football player. Coach Cantu played both sides of the ball and brings great knowledge of running the football and how to stop the run. Some of Coach Cantu’s favorite memories are beating Palm Springs High School as a senior and upsetting La Quinta while a coach for Xavier. During Coach Cantu’s down time he enjoys playing golf with his family and friends. Coach Cantu’s family includes his mom, Toni; dad, Eddie; and brother, Ryan. We are extremely thankful to have Coach Cantu on staff.
Domonic De La Riva ATHLETIC TRAINER
Quinn Hunter VIDEOGRAPHER
Terry Cervello TEAM MANAGER
VA R S I T Y T E A M 2021 XAVIER PREP FOOTBALL
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VA R S I T Y R O S T E R 2021 XAVIER PREP FOOTBALL
VA R S I T Y R O S T E R
2021 XAVIER PREP FOOTBALL
#
NAME
YR
HT
WT
POS
2
Noah Scott
10
6'3
190 WR/DB
3
Quentin Pellum
11
6'2
170 WR/DB
4
Otis Taylor
10
5
Corbin Hewitt
6
#
NAME
YR
HT
WT
POS
44 Patrick Somers
9
5'7
130 QB
52 Julian Herrera
11
5'7
200 OL/DL
5'10 160 WR/DB
53 Noe Sanchez
10
6'2
200 OL/DL
11
6'1
160 WR/DB
54 Joey O'Neil
12
6'1
230 OL/DL
Jack Berry
10
6'1
175 QB
55 Noah Jewett
10
6'2
205 OL/DL
7
Ryder Ruiz
10
5'10 175 QB
56 David Opaleke
10
5'9
240 OL/DL
8
Sebastian Garza
12
6'2
170 WR/DB
57 Luke Howard
11
5'9
230 OL/DL
9
Sergio Franco
11
6'0
175 WR/DB
64 Christian Vaikona 10
6'3
300 OL/DL
10 Francis Cordova
11
6'0
175 WR/DB
67 Azrael Torres
11
6'2
270 OL/DL
11 Mason Ianni
11
6'4
190 WR/TE/DE
77 Cristian Escobedo 11
6'1
300 OL/DL
12 Jarvis Crawford
11
5'8
170 WR/DB
78 Bryan Tran
9
5'9
215 OL/DL
17 Braden Cervello
9
5'9
145 WR/DB
79 Sean Davis
11
6'3
270 OL/DL
18 Lucas Harris
10
6'2
155 WR/DB
80 Daniel Reed
9
5'6
120 WR/DB
21 Jacob O'Neil
11
5'9
155 WR/DB
81 Conor Davis
9
5'6
140 WR/DB
22 Justin Callin
12
5'8
185 RB/LB
85 Canyon Pensis
9
5'9
125 WR/LB
23 Tyson Ruiz
9
5'7
140 WR/DB
86 Kyle Hill
9
6'5
170 WR/DE
24 Mykel Johnson
11
5'9
200 RB/LB
88 Jack Howard
12
6'0
240 TE/DE
32 Christian Abarca
10
5'10 205 RB/LB
33 Isidro Rascon
10
5'9
140 WR/DB
34 Slate Eugenio
9
5'5
125 WR/DB
35 Macen Reichle
9
5'7
130 WR/DB
42 David Reulman
10
5'7
150 RB/LB
43 Eduardo Garcia
10
5'10 215 WR/DB
VA R S I T Y S E NI OR S 2021 XAVIER PREP FOOTBALL
8
Sebastian Garza
12 6'2 170 WR/DB
88 Jack Howard
22 Justin Callin
54 Joey O'Neil
12 5'8 185 RB/LB
12 6'1 230 OL/DL
12 6'0 240 TE/DE
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VA R S I T Y S E N I O R S
2021 XAVIER PREP FOOTBALL
VA R S I T Y UNDER C L A S S 2021 XAVIER PREP FOOTBALL
2
Noah Scott
10 6'3 190 WR/DB
6
Jack Berry
10 6'1 175 QB
11
Mason Ianni
11 6'4 190 WR/TE/DE
21 Jacob O'Neil
11 5'9 155 WR/DB
3
Quentin Pellum
11 6'2 170 WR/DB
7
Ryder Ruiz
10 5'10 175 QB
12 Jarvis Crawford
9
Otis Taylor
10 5'10 160 WR/DB
9
Sergio Franco
11 6'0 175 WR/DB
11 5'8 170 WR/DB
23 Tyson Ruiz
4
5'7 140 WR/DB
17 Braden Cervello 9
5'9 145 WR/DB
24 Mykel Johnson
11 5'9 200 RB/LB
5
Corbin Hewitt
11 6'1 160 WR/DB
10 Francis Cordova
11 6'0 175 WR/DB
18 Lucas Harris
10 6'2 155 WR/DB
32 Christian Abarca
10 5'10 205 RB/LB
VA R S I T Y UND E R C L A S S
2021 XAVIER PREP FOOTBALL
33 Isidro Rascon
10 5'9 140 WR/DB
43 Eduardo Garcia
10 5'10 215 WR/DB
55 Noah Jewett
10 6'2 205 OL/DL
67 Azrael Torres
11 6'2 270 OL/DL
34 Slate Eugenio 9
5'5 125 WR/DB
44 Patrick Somers 9
11 6'1 300 OL/DL
5'7 130 WR/DB
11 5'7 200 OL/DL
10 5'9 240 OL/DL
77 Cristian Escobedo
9
52 Julian Herrera
5'7 130 QB
56 David Opaleke
35 Macen Reichle
57 Luke Howard
11 5'9 230 OL/DL
78 Bryan Tran 9
5'9 215 OL/DL
42 David Reulman
10 5'7 150 RB/LB
53 Noe Sanchez
10 6'2 200 OL/DL
64 Christian Vaikona
10 6'3 300 OL/DL
79 Sean Davis
11 6'3 270 OL/DL
VA R S I T Y UNDER C L A S S 2021 XAVIER PREP FOOTBALL
80 Daniel Reed 9
5'6 120 WR/DB
81 Conor Davis 9
5'6 140 WR/DB
85 Canyon Pensis 9
5'9 125 WR/LB
XAVIERPREP.ORG
86 Kyle Hill 9
6'5 170 WR/DE
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XAVIER PREP HIGH SCHOOL 2021 SAINTS FOOTBALL
WR QUARTERBACK (QB): The player who receives the ball from the center at the start of each play before either handing it to the running back, throwing it to a receiver, or running with it himself. The quarterback is usually the player in charge of running the offense on the field. He is also the guy that usually informs the offense of the play while in the huddle.
TE LT
CENTER (C): The offensive lineman who hikes
(or snaps) the ball to the quarterback at the start of each play. The center lines up in the middle of the offensive line, between the offensive guards.
GUARD (LG/RG): A member of the offensive
FB
LG
line. There are two guards on every play, and they line up on either side of the offensive center.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE (LT/RT): A member
of the offensive line. There are two tackles on every play, and they line up on the outside of the offensive guards.
QB
TIGHT END (TE): An offensive player who serves as a receiver and also a blocker. The tight end lines up beside the offensive tackle either to the right or to the left of the QB. WIDE RECEIVER (WR): An offensive player
who lines up on or near the line of scrimmage, but split to the outside. His primary job is to catch passes from the quarterback.
RG RB RT
FULLBACK (FB): An offensive player who lines up in the offensive backfield and generally is responsible for run-blocking for the halfback and pass-blocking for the QB. Fullbacks are usually bigger than halfbacks, and also serve as shortyardage runners. RUNNING BACK (RB): An offensive player
who lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. A running back’s primary role is to run with the football, he is also used as a receiver at times.
C
WR
CB
CORNERBACK (CB): A defensive back who
LB
generally lines up on the outside of the formation and is usually assigned to cover a wide receiver.
DE SS
SAFETY (SS/FS): A defensive back who lines up in the secondary between, but generally deeper than the cornerbacks. His primary duties include helping the cornerbacks in pass coverage. There are actually two safety positions; the free safety and strong safety. DEFENSIVE END (DE): A defensive player
who lines up at the end of the defensive line. The job of the defensive end is to contain the running back on running plays to the outside, and rush the quarterback on passing plays.
DT LB
DEFENSIVE TACKLE (DT): A defensive player
NT FS DE
who lines up on the interior of the defensive line. The duties of a defensive tackle include stopping the running back on running plays, getting pressure up the middle on passing plays, and occupying blockers so the LB’s can roam free.
NOSE TACKLE (NT): A defensive tackle who
lines up directly across from the center. Also known as the nose guard, the primary responsibilities of the nose tackle are to stop the run and occupy the offensive lineman to keep them from blocking the linebackers.
LINEBACKER (LB): A defensive player who lines up behind the defensive linemen and in front of the defensive backfield. The linebackers are a team’s second line of defense. Each team has two outside linebackers. In a 4-3 defense, teams have one inside linebacker, which is usually referred to as a middle linebacker. In a 3-4 defense teams have two inside linebackers.
LB
CB