CLINTON, Iowa - The Clinton football team received unquestionably its biggest test Monday, when Cedar Falls flattened the River Kings' ground attack.

But Clinton coach Lee Camp deftly altered the offensive approach, leading to tonight's Class 4A quarterfinal game against Cedar Rapids Xavier.

Teams across the state know all about running back David Johnson, and they're geared to stop him. Small wonder then that two of the Kings' three least productive rushing games have come in the postseason.

"We just tell our kids, 'Be patient,' " Clinton coach Lee Camp said. "We're going to come up with something, whether we need to bring everybody into the backfield or bring everybody out."

Quarterback Jake Mangler had his choice after halftime Monday, busting up the gut when the Tigers covered all four or five wideouts or throwing to the outside when the defense came in.

The result was 328 yards of total offense for Mangler.

Clinton (11-0) could need more of the same tonight should Xavier (9-2) commit to stopping the Kings' backfield.

In two postseason games, Clinton is averaging just 134 rushing yards out of its running backs. During the regular season, that number was 237.

"It's good to know that if the run game isn't working, we can go to the pass sometimes," Mangler said. "As long as we play together as one, we'll be OK."

The Kings have a similar challenge defensively against the Saints.

Xavier passes 53 percent of the time, but the team's two losses - one-touchdown decisions to Iowa City High and Linn-Mar - both resulted from an inability to run the ball. Those losses have been the only two games this season in which the Saints didn't rush for at least 100 yards.

Saints quarterback Joe Sayre has completed 70 percent of his passes (101-of-144) in Xavier wins. In the losses, he's connected on just 56 percent (37-of-66), forced to attempt nearly twice as many passes.

"All year we've tried to make opponents one dimensional," Camp said. "We've been really strong against the run. If we can shut that down, even though their quarterback does a super job, it will really make things easier on our defense."

Iowa football capsules

Class 4A

State quarterfinal

Cedar Rapids Xavier (9-2) at Clinton (11-0), 7 p.m.

Winner plays: Cedar Rapids Washington or Iowa City High

How they got here: Xavier beat Pleasant Valley 38-21 in substate, beat Linn-Mar 41-3 in first round; Clinton beat Cedar Rapids Prairie 42-13 in substate, beat Cedar Falls 37-23 in first round.

Postseason records: Xavier 8-4, Clinton 3-7.

Players to watch: Xavier, Joe Sayre (Sr., QB, 136-of-208, 1,891 yards, 15 TDs, 10 INTs); Pat Chizek (Jr., RB, 171 carries, 975 yards, 14 TDs); Colin O'Connor (Sr., WR, 61 catches, 944 yards, 8 TDs). Clinton, David Johnson (Sr., RB, 144 carries, 1,304 yards, 27 TDs); Jake Mangler (Sr., QB, 63-for-103, 989 yards, 10 TDs, 3 INTs); Ty Hatheway (Sr., RB, 77 carries, 535 rushing yards, 7 TDs).

Keys to the game: Xavier values a balanced offense more than anyone Clinton has faced. Make the Saints throw too much, though, and they're vulnerable. In each of their two losses, the Saints failed to rush for 100 yards. Clinton's offense needs to stay flexible as it has the past two games.

Iowa 8-player

State quarterfinal

WHO: Preston (11-0) vs.

Maynard West Central (10-1), 7 p.m. Friday

WINNER PLAYS: Lenox-Thornburg Tri-County winner

HOW THEY GOT HERE: Beat Blairsburg Northeast Hamilton 33-20 in 1st round; beat Clarksville 73-0 in substate

PREVIOUS MEETING: Preston won 23-22 on Oct. 2

POSTSEASON RECORD: Preston 9-10, West Central 15-11.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Preston - Kyle Feller, Sr., RB (32 carries, 212 yards against Hamilton), Jason Feddersen, So., QB (nine touchdowns in two postseason games), Austin Hughes, Sr., LB (19 tackles against Hamilton). West Central - Kaleb Buhrow, Sr., RB (1,223 rushing yards, 20 TDs), Dustin Bunn, Sr., RB (1,042 rushing yards, 23 TDs), Brad Byerly, Sr., QB (14 passing TDs, 1 INT).

KEYS TO THE GAME: Preston's defense didn't allow a point for 75 minutes to open the postseason. Continuing that dominance will be essential - even with such a high-powered offense to rely on - since the last time these two teams played, only 45 points were scored.