Will Aitchison provides versatile talent for Iowa City Regina

IOWA CITY — Versatile, valuable and viable.

Iowa City Regina’s Will Aitchison is a two-way starter capable of almost anything when he steps on the football field. Regals Coach Dustin Elsbury compared him to a multifunctional Swiss Army knife.

“You can put him at any position and he’s going to do a great job at it,” Elsbury said of the running back and strong safety. “He can also play slot receiver. If we wanted to put him at quarterback, I bet he could do it. On defense, it’s the same thing. We can put him all over the place.”

Aitchison is one of seven senior leaders for the first-year head coach and will be a key component in trying to improve the team’s 9-2 record from last season that ended in the second round of the playoffs.

Physical talent and skill are important but Aitchison has also been a student of the game, helping him learn multiple positions. He has benefited from studying the playbook, signals, video and watching his older brother, Sam, play for the Regals.

“I do take pride in that,” Aitchison said. “I mean, a high football IQ is something that was helped by being a lifetime football player and watcher.”

The knowledge of X’s and O’s is exactly why Elsbury has faith in the team’s top rusher and third-best returning tackler. He can be an extension of the coaching staff on the field.

“You can trust him to do anything,” Elsbury said. “He’ll make the calls for the whole defense. He’s kind of your leader on both sides of the ball.

“It helps to have a guy like Will who is willing to do whatever it takes to make the team better. … It allows us to get other guys on the field to put our best players out there.”

Aitchison is also a leader away from practice and competition as well. His efforts in the weight room, classroom and everyday life have an impact on his teammates as well. He is a well-rounded individual.

“The high character he has as a person makes him even better,” Elsbury said. “He can hold other people accountable off the field because he’s doing the right thing himself.”

Just because he has a selfless, team-first attitude doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a preference. The three-year varsity starter cut his teeth on defense as a sophomore. He said defense is his favorite phase of the game and he likes the physical nature.

“I love tackling,” said Aitchison, who had 28 total stops, 22 solo and 2.5 for loss. “Being in the open field and making tackles is super fun.”

Aitchison led the team in rushing, amassing 567 yards on 78 carries and scoring nine touchdowns. He added 139 receiving yards and two TDs on 17 receptions. He praised a veteran line last year for much of his gains, but he is a savvy runner who has a knack for anticipating where holes will open. His knowledge of the blocking scheme helps.

“I think one of my best attributes is my vision because I don’t have breakaway speed,” Aitchison said. “Being able to follow blocks, find a gap and take it big is something that’s just so fun. I enjoy doing that.”

Senior Noah Clark is one of the experienced linemen leading the way again this year. He said Aitchison always knows where to go, helps with pass protection and will even read the defense and tell blockers what he wants them to do.

“He just plays really smart,” Clark said. “He’s also really athletic, real fast and strong. Just all the things you want in a running back.”

Toughness is another trait Aitchison possesses. Last season, Aitchison broke his arm on the first drive of the season opener against West Liberty. He started to have issues during the second drive, causing him to sit out and be evaluated by trainers. Aitchison passed, had it wrapped and returned to play.

The next day he underwent X-rays but the way it was taken missed the fracture. He was diagnosed with a deep bone bruise.

Aitchison played the next four games but the pain worsened after a loss to West Branch. He returned to the doctor when the fracture was discovered. The arm was casted and a club was created for games. He only missed one game the entire time.

Aitchison also wrestled a week-and-a-half with a fractured hip last winter but that didn’t stop him from a runner-up finish at the Regina Invitational and making a trip to the state tournament. Elsbury also coaches wrestling and witnessed him fight through that adversity.

  Buy Photo

“He’s a guy you’re going to have to drag off the field to get him off it,” Elsbury said. “The toughness Will has is unbelievable.”

Elsbury was a Regina assistant for four seasons and has guided the speed and strength program. He has had a smooth transition, taking over for Jason Dumont, who is now the head coach at West Liberty. The two programs play each other Week 1.

“Everyone has acclimated really well,” Aitchison said. “There hasn’t been any hesitation or slow down.”

The Regals have some holes to fill due to the graduation of all-state quarterback Gentry Dumont, wide receiver Jackson Naeve and lineman Drew Streb.

Clark and senior Matt Colony are pillars in the trenches on both sides of the ball. They have been mentors to the less experienced linemen stepping into the lineup.

“They are doing a great job getting those younger guys up to our standard and where we want to be up front,” Elsbury said. “I’m really looking forward to both of them having a big senior year.”

Junior Kyle Tracy is expected to contend for the starting quarterback spot. He only threw nine passes all last season and completed three, including two for TDs. Elsbury said Tracy has improved a lot since his freshman year, getting stronger with summer lifting and faster after running track.

“He’s put in so much work,” Elsbury said. “The guys are really rallying around him. I’m looking forward to him stepping up and having a breakout year.”

Tate Wallace provides a good target at tight end. The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder had 430 receiving yards and averaged 12.5 yards per catch as a freshman.

Elsbury, Clark and Aitchison both noted the overall team speed and athleticism will be strengths. The skill positions will be deeper than a year ago.

The focus has been reloading instead of rebuilding and maintaining the Regals’ longstanding tradition.

“Our goal is always to win a state championship,” Clark said. “That’s kind of the goal every year. It doesn’t change with the team.”

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com