Inside the Win: Xavier Prep amps up gameplay speed to reach Week 4 win

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Coming into Week 4, the Xavier Prep Saints were 0-3. Friday night, they took on the 1-2 Cathedral City Lions, looking for their first win of the season.

The Saints shutout the Lions 68-0, in a performance that showed a complete team on the field. After losses in the first three game, head coach Michael Karls challenged his team to make a change on the field.

"I love that these guys came out and competed right away," Karls said. "That's what I've been challenging them all year, is to start out fast and then finish games up until the fourth quarter."

The rapid-play change was the key to the Saints win against the Lions. Not only were they physically the faster team, but their plays took off quick.

Saints Freshman quarterback Luke Meraz and his senior running back Anthony Creek-Pellum shined with their run game. This duo completed drives at a rapid pace, and couldn't be stopped.

"I feel like we did a great job, especially running the ball today," Meraz said. "We played a great play, a great game offensively and defensively."

"Our freshman quarterback, he's just been growing with every single game," Karls said. "Our defense was complimentary for our offense, and our offense is the same for them."

On the other side of the ball, seniors Joe Mejia and Kingston Pellum dominated the defense. Each walked away with a pick-six on the night.

"This is a get right game for us, right?" Karls said. "We wanted to come out and prove to the Valley that, you know, we played some tough teams, but we're also a tough team as well."

Inside the Win with Kendall Flynn airs every Saturday. Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage on your local high school football teams.