Prairie has avenged one loss in the playoffs.

Is two too many to hope for?

The Hawks play at powerful Xavier in the Class 4A quarterfinals Friday night.

The winner advances to next Friday's semifinals at the UNI-Dome.

Xavier (11-0) has been the team of destiny throughout the season, mowing through its foes by an average 35.6 points per game. Included was a 34-point rout of Prairie.

The Hawks (8-3) avenged a 31-point loss to Iowa City West with a 49-28 rout in the playoffs to reach this game.

And that tells us one thing:

Never count out the Prairie Hawks.

Prairie (8-3) at No. 3 Xavier (11-0)

Site: Saints Field

Time: 7 p.m.

Radio: KMRY (AM-1450, FM-93.1); KGYM (AM-1600, FM-107.5)

Playoff appearances (last): Prairie 15 (2009), Xavier 9 (2011)

Playoff record (state titles): Prairie 6-13 (1981); Xavier 11-7 (2006)

Storyline - Xavier's quest for a second Class 4A state title brings it up against surprising Prairie, which took a giant leap toward establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with in a 49-28 rout of No. 2 Iowa City West in Monday's second round at Iowa City. The Hawks avenged an early-season loss in that game and have a chance to repeat the process against Xavier. The Saints pounded the Hawks, 48-14, in the regular season. Xavier rushed for 275 yards in that game, but lost senior running back Cal Stovie for the season to a knee injury. The Saints passed for a season-low 86 yards, but Reggie Schulte completed 10 of 13 passes and three went for touchdowns. Prairie's offense was held to a season-low 188 yards and had only 40 rushing yards. And it's all ancient history. Xavier has been on a quest for the Dome since the beginning of the season, but Prairie has played like the "Chosen Children" in the playoffs, forcing 11 turnovers in two games. The winner advances to play either Cedar Falls or Pleasant Valley in the state semifinals next Friday at the UNI-Dome. Either team would be a great representative for the Metro.

Prairie - The Hawks are riding a five-game winning streak after blasting Iowa City West, 49-28. Prairie has had an incredible defensive run in the playoffs, intercepting seven passes and returning three for touchdowns. The Hawks will need some more of that luck against Xavier. Prairie's losses have been to Iowa City West, Xavier and Cedar Falls, who are seeded 2-3-4 in the tournament and have a combined record of 31-2. Quarterback Jace Hanna is sixth in Class 4A in passing yards with 2,353 and his 28 TD passes are tied for fourth. Jarred Edmonds is third in the state in receiving yards with 1,139 and his 16 TD receptions rank fourth in the state and first in Class 4A. 
Team stats (season averages per game) - Rushing offense (128.4), Passing offense (242.3), Total offense (370.6), Points (35.2); Rushing defense (226.8), Passing defense (106.3), Total defense (333.1), Opponent points (27.0). Individual leaders - Rushing: Mitch Christensen 130-579 7 TDs, Hanna 76-299 3 TDs, Demetrius Harper 30-142 1 TD; Passing: Hanna 151-256-7-2353 28 TDs; Receiving: Edmonds 56-1139 16 TDs, Harper 56-669 6 TDs, Mitch Dellamuth 17-274 3 TDs, Kentrel Smith 15-277 4 TDs; Tackles: Cam Rathje 150, Casey Becker 102; INT: Dellamuth 6; PATs: Sam Drysdale 49-53; FGs: Drysdale 4-6 (long 34).

Xavier - The Saints are in the midst of a record-setting, storybook season. Reggie Schulte has completed 75.0 percent of his passes, which leads the state in all classes. His 35 TD passes are tied for second in the state and tied for first in Class 4A. Corbin Woods ranks seventh in Class 4A in receiving yards with 938 and his 14 TD receptions rank third in 4A. Schulte has thrown seven TD passes in the playoffs, five in a 48-10 win over Iowa City High in the opener. The defense was hit for a season-high 279 yards by City High, then held Waterloo East to 177 total yards, including minus-14 in the second half of a 45-0 rout. The Saints did not allow more than 196 yards in a game during the regular season.
Team stats (season averages per game) - Rushing offense (179.0), Passing offense (189.5), Total offense (368.5), Points (43.3); Rushing defense (93.3), Passing defense (86.4), Total defense (179.6), Opponent points (7.7). Individual leaders - Rushing: Brendan Miller 120-775 8 TDs, Wes Gardner 33-187 2 TDs, Nick Steingreaber 17-163 3 TDs; Passing: Schulte 120-160-4-2080 35 TDs; Receiving: Woods 44-938 14 TDs, Bryce Grimm 30-432 7 TDs, Matt Nelson 12-149 8 TDs; Tackles: Craig Murtha 63 (38 for loss); INT.: Trey Sampson 4; PATs: Ryan Persick 61-63; FGs: Persick 5-8.