Regina looks for fifth straight finals berth

Iowa City Regina has the opportunity to make more history.

As the Regals eye a chance to win a state record fifth straight state title, having won 67 of their last 68 games, they could be peaking at the perfect time.

'The good thing is I think we've played pretty well down the stretch with the idea we want to be playing our best football now,” Regina Coach Marv Cook said. 'I think we're pretty close.”

The top-ranked Regals will look to be at their best when they play No. 3 South Winneshiek in an Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 1A state semifinal football game Saturday at the UNI-Dome, beginning at 10:06 a.m. The contest will be televised on KCRG 9.2.

'I think South Winn is probably the best team that we've played in the three years,” Regina senior running back and linebacker Jake Brinkman said. 'Just watching them on film, they have a lot of good athletes.”

South Winn possesses plenty of weapons, including wide receiver Jordan Rommes and quarterback Logan Schweinefus. Rommes has 948 receiving yards for a career total of 3,215, which is second on Iowa's all-time list. Schweinefus has thrown for 1,072 yards and 14 touchdowns, including 13 to Rommes. Senior running back Ryan Hageman has rushed for 1,355 yards and 26 TDs.

'When you look at a team, you look for difference makes and they have four or five of those guys,” said Cook, praising the Warriors' timing, execution and intensity. 'Then you look across the board at the other guys on the field and they always have 11 good athletes on the field. They are always competing and getting after it.”

Regina (11-1) and the Warriors (12-0) have never faced each on the football field, but Cook gets a familiar feel from the matchup.

'They have a nice mix,” Cook said. 'Honestly, they remind me a lot of us.”

Regina has won the last two 1A state titles, claiming 2A championships in 2010 and 2011. Senior trio of Brinkman, lineman Phil Arendt and Michael Adam are three-year starters. Some are getting their first chance to contribute to the winning stretch that includes 23 playoff wins in a row.

'We had three guys who played a big role three years,” Cook said. 'The other guys are two-year starters and now we have some guys where it's their first year. You focus on what your role is and your part of it. A lot of these guys, in their eyes, they want to win their first.”

Regina has been one of the best again this season, scoring 47.25 points per game and allowing just 10.83, leading 1A with 5,091 total yards of offense and 567 points. Brinkman has surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark and 16 scores. Senior Drew Cook, a University of Iowa signee, has thrown for 2,128 yards with 26 TDs, adding 577 yards on the ground. The intriguing battle could be Drew Cook against the Warriors defense, which leads 1A with 21 interceptions.

The Regals are confident in their preparation, staying consistent with their routine of previous title treks.

'Our coaches are doing the right things right now, putting us in the right spot,” Brinkman said. 'Everybody is getting their job done.”

The allure of a fifth consecutive crown won‘t distract the Regals from the immediate challenge. They are focused on trying to get by South Winneshiek, which is making its second appearance in the semifinals and first since reaching the 2009 finals.

'We've never really looked ahead before, especially when you get this far,” Brinkman said. 'Whenever you get to the final four, everyone is going to be good.

'We're excited. We're taking the right steps. We're not looking ahead. We have two weeks until then.”

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