Regals bounce back against Cascade

IOWA CITY - The question facing Regina's football team was how it would perform after suffering the first loss in 57 games last week at Solon. The Regals showed the resilience that was the hallmark of that long winning streak.

Nick Phillips' twisting, zigzag 68-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage after Cascade had cut the Regals' lead to 14-7 was the key play last night in Regina's 38-14 victory.

The Regals suffered several setbacks midway through the second quarter. They lost leading rusher Jake Brinkman after a hit left him wobbly. They fumbled the punt snap and the punt was blocked giving the Cougars possession in Regina territory for the first time. Five plays later Derek Lieurance's 22-yard touchdown pass to Nathan Bergfeld cut the Regal lead to 14-7.

With the momentum having switched sides, Phillips came to the rescue. On the first play from scrimmage, Phillips was moved to running back. He took the handoff, burst through the middle and snaked through the Cougar secondary for the 68-yard score. It was a statement play and it buoyed Regina's defense as much as its offense.

It was his second touchdown run of the game, having already scored on a 46-yard burst. Facing a fourth-and-one, Cascade's defense pinched in to stop a dive but Regina faked it into the line and pitched it to Phillips, who went untouched down the left side.

The Regal defense did a good job of handling Cascade's prolific passing attack. It put pressure on Lieurance, sacking him several times, and completely stuffed running back Luke Recker, who had gained than 100 yards last weeks. At halftime the Cougars had minus-23 yards rushing and just 82 yards passing with four first downs.

Brinkman returned to the game in the second half and ran effectively to buoy the Regals. Jacob Adam also kicked a 38-yard field goal in the third quarter.

Cascade rolled up yardage, particularly with the Lieurance to Bergfeld combination, but it was no match for the Regals up front.