No. 3 Iowa City Regina bounces back big, 56-7, over Wapello in district football opener

IOWA CITY - One had to figure the start of district play would bring out the best in Iowa City Regina football.

After a pair of resounding non-district defeats to the cream of the Class 3A crop, the third-ranked Regals got their first taste of fellow 1A competition and predictably showed their might.

Senior quarterback Michael Conlon threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more scores as Regina blasted Wapello, 56-7, in a District 4 opener Friday night at Regina High School.

'I'd say it's part of my game, but it definitely helps when you have an O-line that gives you plenty of time in the pocket and creates huge holes,” Conlon said.

In losses to top-5 squads Cedar Rapids Xavier and Solon, Regina (1-2, 1-0 District 4) was outscored 56-6 and was 0-2 for the first time since 2002. The Solon shutout was the first for Regina since 2008.

'You have to play well,” Regina Coach Marv Cook said. 'Coaches are getting better. Players are getting better. You cannot come out and not play well and have a good night.”

As the schedule flipped to the district slate, the Regals knew nothing was lost as far as playoff opportunities and their goals - namely, a district title and the chase for a seventh state title in eight seasons - were still in front of them.

The only question was whether their confidence needed a jolt.

A scintillating performance from Conlon led the offensive resurgence as the signal-caller tallied 249 yards passing, 46 rushing and four total touchdowns by halftime.

'I don't think we have even hit our potential yet,” Conlon said. 'We have a lot of different options.”

Conlon finished with 300 yards passing and 71 on the ground in three quarters of action.

Regina freshman receiver Alec Wick caught four passes for 129 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown. Wick also returned a third-quarter interception 36 yards for a score that gave the Regals a 49-7 lead.

Ryan Schott and Isaac Vollstedt also had touchdown receptions for Regina, while Jacob Phillips and reserve tailback Kieler Brown added touchdown runs.

'Those are all great things that we needed to see,” Cook said. 'That is where we separated a little bit. We had a lot of guys make plays.”

Quarterback Logan Belzer threw for 110 yards and a second-quarter touchdown for Wapello (1-2, 0-1).

The contest was delayed with 1:43 to go when Regina reserve Prescott Arendt reported pain in his lower neck and was carted off the field by paramedics.

Regina visits Sigourney-Keota next Friday.

AT IOWA CITY REGINA

Class 1A No. 3 Iowa City Regina 56, Wapello 7

RUSHING-I.C. Regina: Isaac Vollstedt 6-47, Kieler Brown 4-63, Ashton Cook 1-(-9), Jacob Phillips 4-52, Michael Conlon 6-71, Nick Milder 1-1; Wapello:

Ricky Pforts 20-72, Logan Belzer 5-(-6), Jarret Paris 4-35.

PASSING-I.C. Regina: Michael Conlon 12-18-0-300, Ashton Cook 4-4-0-41; Wapello:

Logan Belzer 13-27-1-110.

RECEIVING-I.C. Regina: Kieler Brown 1-11, Isaac Vollstedt 4-58, Parker Eden 1-5, Ryan Schott 1-36, Jacob Phillips 1-42, Bryce Barnett 2-25, Alec Wick 4-129, Patrick Clark 3-35; Wapello:

Brenton Ross 5-29, Ricky Pforts 2-21, Bryant Lanz 4-40, Sam Short 2-20.

Wapello 0-7-0-0-7

Iowa City Regina 7-21-21-7-56

ICR -

Michael Conlon 8 run (Isaac Vollstedt kick)

ICR -

Ryan Schott 36 pass from Michael Conlon (Isaac Vollstedt kick)

WAP -

Bryant Lanz 9 pass from Logan Belzer (Logan Belzer kick)

ICR -

Michael Conlon 8 run (Isaac Vollstedt kick)

ICR -

Alec Wick 43 pass from Michael Conlon (Isaac Vollstedt kick)

ICR -

Jacob Phillips 2 run (Isaac Vollstedt kick)

ICR -

Isaac Vollstedt 25 pass from Michael Conlon (Isaac Vollstedt kick)

ICR -

Alec Wick 36 interception return (Alec Wick kick)

ICR -

Kieler Brown 35 run (Alec Wick kick)

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com