The Program: Regina Football, Week Two

Out of the oven and into the fire. Or, however that saying goes. At any rate, competition is heating up as much as the temperature Monday when Iowa City Regina got back to the practice field.The Class 1A top-ranked Regals went back to work after an impressive 38-0 win Friday over host Solon, a 3A school. Looking over season results, it appears it was the Spartans worst defeat since losing to Williamsburg in the 2002 2A state quarterfinals. They face ranked rival West Branch, who gave the Regals their most competitive games of last season.The pats on the back ended shortly after the lingering glow of the final results disappeared from the Solon scoreboard. The congratulations was certainly history when they had practice late Monday night, delaying it two hours due to the excessive heat.After some film study, the team participated in a walk-through. Doing some drills and running plays.The defense was a focus to open the week. As they split into individual position drills, defensive line coach Mike Brinkman, a former University of Northern Iowa player, stresses the tough task ahead of his defensive front."This is going to be a big test...A BIG TEST," Brinkman said. He then added he expects West Branch to bring the fight right to the Regals. No flash. Just good tough football."It's nothing fancy," Brinkman added.He runs his linemen through agilities and a hitting drill for explosion and extension off the ball. Four small pads form four corners of a square. Linemen start at the front right, run with high knees to the next corner, karaoke-type drill to the left, backpedaling to the third corner and karaoke to the right, ending at the start.They switch to a drill where they face a partner, shuffling quickly to the second set of bags while mirroring each other and tossing a medicine ball to each other. Pretty impressive, showing agility, strength and quickness. The tools need to engage and shed blockers. Something the defense does well.Brinkman gives one more comment about the attitude behind the drill."Do it three times," he said. "That's our motto - three (plays) and out."This week's game is more than just any ordinary rivalry game. Three members of the Regina staff have former ties to the West Branch program. Regals head coach Marv Cook was a Bear standout before moving on to the University of Iowa and a solid career in the National Football League. Tom Nosbish, who coaches the Regina wide receivers on multiple levels, was a West Branch coach when Cook was a prep. Kevin Stout played on the West Branch team that won three state titles, and now coaches the Regals defensive backs.Cook seemed happy with the effort in practice, talking to the them as the natural light was fleeting. A bank of lights from the varsity field had to be turned on so players could safely make it to locker rooms."Not a bad night," Cook said. "Got a lot covered."He emphasizes to his team that it needs to take advantage of the opportunities, noting those are decreasing for the seniors."It's not about how good you are," Cook said. "It's about how good you can be."The Regals looked good against Solon. Week two against West Branch will show how good they are against top competition in 1A district 6 and whether they can be the best.Regina hosts West Branch and is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.