Regina starts slow, then downs West Liberty

By Jason Brummond, correspondent

IOWA CITY – It started close, but that didn't last long.

No. 1 Iowa City Regina scored 28 unanswered points in the second quarter after an early test from West Liberty on Monday night in a 55-13 win in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs.

The Regals led by eight points after the first quarter – the tightest differential the defending state champions have seen all year – but the response was near-perfect for a team that should start seeing stiffer competition.

“We just had to make some adjustments,” said senior Joe McCaffery, who rushed for 159 yards and three touchdowns. “That's a great moment for us as we look to move on in the playoffs.”

Regina (11-0), which advances to play Mediapolis (11-0) next Monday in the quarterfinals, has won 25 straight games.

The Regals led 21-13 after the first quarter, nearly equaling the highest amount the team that allowed only 4.8 points per game gave up all season.

The next 12 minutes was all Regina.

Senior Jacob Vollstedt ran for a 47-yard touchdown just 23 seconds into the second quarter.

McCaffery rushed for a 3-yard score five minutes later. After another West Liberty punt, McCaffery added a 30-yard TD run with 1:53 left in the half.

The Regals weren't done. Senior George Sehl quickly intercepted a pass. He caught a 20-yard touchdown from Nate Streb seven plays later with only two seconds left.

That made it seven touchdowns in seven first half possessions.

“We have to continue to improve and clean some things up,” Regina Coach Marv Cook said. “This is a pretty good group of guys that are focused and locked in.”

West Liberty started in a 14-0 hole, but made things interesting in the first quarter. The Comets converted a third-and-25 late in the period with a slant pass from Tyler Newsom to Tyron Williams, who cut across the field and sprinted down the sideline for a 55-yard score.

After a one-play Regina touchdown, Jordan Meyers returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for the Comets.

Regina beat West Liberty 48-9 in the final game of the regular season just 10 days ago to clinch the Class 2A District 5 title. The Regals racked up more than 300 rushing yards in both victories.