Former Iowa City Regina water boy Gentry Dumont is now the starting QB helping the No. 4 Regals rebound

IOWA CITY — Gentry Dumont grew up around the Iowa City Regina football program.

He wandered the sidelines as a little kid, following his dad and current Regals head coach, Jason Dumont, watching older players win titles, flinging a football with friends and becoming the team’s water boy.

Now, Gentry is a senior quarterback with the keys to drive the Regina offense in his hands.

“I don’t think it has hit any of us seniors quite yet,” Gentry Dumont said. “I was thinking about it the other day how we’re going through practices and I’m not fully embracing this was my last time doing whatever.

“Looking around to some of the coaches, like (assistant) coach (Ed) Hinkel and my dad, who were there since I was little. It’s like the last go-around with them. It’s a little bittersweet, but it won’t come full circle until the end of the year.”

The Dumonts have attempted to make the most of each moment in this final season, balancing their roles of coach/player and father/son. They are also enjoying an impressive Regals start that includes a No. 4 ranking in Class 1A and a resurgent pass attack that has almost matched last year’s production, entering Friday’s game at Cascade.

Father and son, coach and QB

Jason is in his third season as the Regals head coach, replacing Marv Cook for Gentry’s sophomore season. Memories have surfaced from his long tenure as an assistant as Gentry tagged along with the program.

“I was looking at a picture the other day of him with Ashton Cook when Ashton was a sophomore and Gentry was a little water boy,” Jason Dumont said. “He was always on the sideline throwing the ball around with buddies. It does go fast. The older you get the faster it goes. It’s starting to set in.

“It’s not just him but this whole senior class. It seems like yesterday they were little rugrats running around. I’m trying my best to enjoy it.”

Father and son have enjoyed a bond through sports for so long that it goes unnoticed. A natural connection between them. The final season together has hit the midway point of the regular season.

“I think that will be the part that hits me hardest,” said Gentry Dumont, noting he also likes to hunt, fish and golf with his dad. “He’s coached me in everything all my life. My friends aren’t having the same experience as me because it’s my dad but they’ve been on baseball, basketball and flag football teams he’s coached. We’ve had him for quite a while so it will be tough at the end of the season.”

The strong-minded duo has had to learn to manage the dual roles. Gentry admitted he had troubles distinguishing coach from dad. Jason said he maybe is in his son’s ear more than he would be other players. The elder Dumont witnessed the Cooks maneuver the same relationship and Hinkel provides a good buffer. He can step in to work with Gentry and allow Jason to work with the defense.

“I was able to watch and learn from that,” Jason Dumont said. “You try your best to sit back and enjoy it. Try to draw that line between coach and dad. Sometimes it gets blurred. It just does.”

Regina has developed a successful passing attack

The two spent a lot of time during the summer, traveling to work with quarterback experts to help Gentry’s progress with footwork and other throwing mechanics. They even traveled to an Elite 11 regional prospect camp in Atlanta. The trips were part of a productive summer. Gentry and multiple receivers dedicated the offseason to getting better, participating in 7-on-7 competitions and spending two to three days a week passing and running routes together.

“We got a lot of work in over the summer, trusting we’re doing the right things is a big part,” Gentry Dumont said. “We just tried to get timing and all that stuff down. It was great.”

The Regals reaped the rewards in a 4-0 start. Gentry has passed for 1,033 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has completed 53 of 87 passes (60.9 percent). Gentry is just 16 yards and one TD off last season’s total. The signal caller has also rushed for 46 yards and one score, improving his yards per carry average by almost 4 yards from a year ago.

Jackson Naeve leads 1A with 447 receiving yards and seven TDs on 19 catches. Ty Joss has caught 10 passes for 262 yards and three scores. Alex Jensen also has 10 catches for 155 yards and a score. Tate Wallace adds eight receptions for 96 yards.

“It’s a product of their hard work,” Jason Dumont said. “They really worked a lot together on their own and not necessarily with coaches. It’s all starting to fit together right now.”

Throwing and catching have been a big boost but the blocking has been a key part of the passing game. The offensive line is indicative of the entire team — a year older and stronger with more maturity and experience. They are providing the time for receivers to get open and for Dumont to deliver accurate passes.

“It’s not just the receivers and me doing the work,” Gentry Dumont said. “The line has done a great job. They’ve been keeping my jersey clean the past couple games. I give a lot of credit to those guys.”

Regina has rebounded from an uncharacteristic 5-4 record last season. The Regals have been focused on reaching the program’s high standards. A simple mentality has been crucial and will as the season continues.

“I know it sounds cliché but we talk about going 1-0 every day and keep focus,” Jason Dumont said. “I’m proud of all of them. Form the starters to the scout team, they’ve all bought in to what we’re saying.”

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com