Iowa City Regina survives double-OT thriller against South Winneshiek

IOWA CITY — If Iowa City Regina has nine lives, surely it's used eight of them. The Regals' quest for an eighth straight trip to the state championship game still has a pulse, barely.

No. 3 Regina survived a frantic final quarter and two heart-pounding overtimes to outlast South Winneshiek, 27-21, in a Class 1A playoff thriller Friday night.

Down 21-14, the Warriors (6-4) overcame a pair of third-and-longs with the aid of two pass interference penalties to set themselves up at the Regals' 26. Three Rodney Schwartzhoff runs later, the Warriors found themselves tied with 7:55 to play.

South Winneshiek got a stop, then each team moved into the opponent's territory on their ensuing possessions.

Schwartzhoff was stuffed on a fourth-and-4 run at the Regina 34. Regina quarterback Michael Conlon was picked off at the Warriors' 30.

With 1:32 remaining, the Regals' Jacob Phillips tore through the line on fourth down, dropping punter Cole Klimesh at the South Winneshiek 17 with 24 seconds left. But instead of playing for the field goal, Conlon threw for it all. His second-down pass was intercepted in the end zone, and the game moved to overtime.

Regina went backward with the opening possession. Forced into a 31-yard field goal attempt, the snap was mishandled and kicker Alec Wick was stopped well short.

Three Warrior runs moved the ball to the Regina 5. With only a 22-yard field goal standing in the way of the Warriors and a shocker, Klimesh's kick sailed wide left.

Schwartzhoff battered his way to the Regals 1 via three straight runs on the ensuing possession. On fourth down, out of the shotgun, Schwartzhoff was stopped short.

Isaac Vollstedt ended the madness on the next snap, following blockers on the right side for the winner.

The Regals (8-2) advance to the quarterfinals despite amassing 12 penalties for 133 yards.