Iowa City Regina rebounds to dominate district

IOWA CITY — Iowa City Regina experienced some adversity to open the season.

Certainly a rarity for the Regals, who have reached seven straight state finals, won 49 consecutive district games and six state titles during that stretch.

Regina opened this season, however, 0-2, losing back-to-back games for the first time in more than a decade. The Regals managed just six points in non-district play against Class 3A powers Cedar Rapids Xavier and Solon.

'We learned what we needed to work on after those two games more than previous years,' Regina Coach Marv Cook said. 'It's beneficial in that way.'

The third-ranked Regals rebounded and have been dominant with the start of 1A District 4 competition. Regina has outscored district foes, 143-34, the last three weeks, setting up a battle of unbeaten teams Friday night at No. 10 Wilton.

Cook likes the test against the larger schools to test his team early. He didn't panic after the first two weeks and had faith the record wasn't indicative of the talent on the Regina roster. After all, top-ranked Xavier and No. 3 Solon are a combined 10-0.

'One of the things our kids enjoy is seeing how good they are,' Cook said. 'Our kids compete. That's the kind of thing that gets them better and prepares them for district play.

'(Xavier and Solon) are really good. It puts our losses in perspective.'

The Regals (3-2, 3-0) took the disappointing results in stride. Cook said they face adversity as underclassmen, taking on varsity in practice. The fact it came on Friday nights was a bit of a shock, but they responded.

'It was a change-up,' Regina's leading rusher Isaac Vollstedt said. 'Ever since then I feel the whole team has been clicking. It has been good to see the way the team has been working together.

'I couldn't be happier the way the team responded … Coming out Week 3, and the way we have been the last few weeks, we put that behind us and started playing like we can.'

Senior quarterback Michael Conlon said leadership improved coming into this year. The players embraced their role, teaming with the coaches to turn things around for district play.

'The coaches did their part. They knew what they needed to do,' Conlon said. 'From a players' standpoint, we all took it personally and we had to take it upon ourselves to do what we needed to do to get better from that point on.'

Regina has returned to its regular form. The Regals have scored at least 42 points and totaled a whopping 1,303 total offensive yards in victories over Wapello, Sigourney-Keota and Highland the last three weeks. They used the opening weeks as a learning experience and have tried to correct their mistakes.

'We learned the physicality it takes to play in big games,' Conlon said. 'Just knowing where to get the ball, where to line up (and) where everyone needs to be.

'Each guy has really focused on improving each week.'

Cook praised the efforts of the guys up front, including Steve Sehl and Cole White, who had a team-high seven tackles and three solo sacks against the Huskies last week. Vollstedt agreed that success depends on winning the trenches.

'It all starts with the line,' said Vollstedt, who has 682 total yards including 515 and five TDs on the ground. 'You wouldn't have anywhere to run without them. I feel the line has done a great job. They are putting us in the best position to do our jobs and score points.'

Wilton (5-0, 3-0) provides the biggest possible stumbling block in the district. The Beavers have been impressive this season, outscoring district opponents, 148-25. Jerome Mays has more than 1,300 total yards, throwing for 807 and rushing for 503 on an offense that averages 36.4 points per game.

'It's going to be a great challenge,' Cook said. 'We have to be in the right position and have to read our cues. They're really talented.'

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