Iowa City Regina’s Isaac Vollstedt brings toughness to Regals rush attack

CEDAR FALLS — Isaac Vollstedt exudes toughness.

Iowa City Regina opponents experienced his punishing style that comes with a penchant for contact. Vollstedt's mental toughness to overcome physical setbacks this season overshadows what he's done on the field.

Despite an injury-plagued season, Vollstedt leads the top-ranked Regals rushing attack Class 1A state semifinal Saturday against No. 4 Denver at the UNI-Dome.

'It's been really tough for me because I've never really dealt with injuries like this before,' Vollstedt said. 'Having overcome two broken bones in a season is tough. After my broken hand, I suffered another fracture in my elbow, and it's been tough. I'm still kind of battling that.

'I think overall I'm feeling pretty good (now).'

Regina Coach Marv Cook said he had high expectations for Vollstedt to start the season. The junior showed some promise at the end of last season, rushing for 125 yards, including a 72-yard TD, in the 35-28 championship victory over Western Christian. He followed that up with a strong offseason in the weight room.

When the season started, so did the problems. Cook said Vollstedt tweaked something the first day of practice. More serious injuries occurred, forcing him to miss four games.

Vollstedt still managed a team-high 86 points. He has rushed for 816 yards and 11 scores, adding 210 receiving yards to his production.

'It was one thing after the other,' Cook said. 'He then broke one hand and then had another issue.

'It's been amazing to watch him play and continue to fight through it.'

Vollstedt attributes his toughness to his parents and older brother, Jacob, who was a running back for two Regina state championship teams.

'I think it was a little bit of both,' Vollstedt said. 'I knew my mom was a farmer growing up, so I knew she was tough when she was younger. Watching my brother play and how he was a downhill runner and a physical and tough player, I try to play like him.'

He remembered the performances that helped his brother earn Most Valuable Player honors of the 2010 and 2011 championships. He has a better perspective now that he is in the same situation.

'I was younger so I didn't realize how big it was for him to do what he was doing,' Vollstedt said. 'Looking back at it, it's pretty amazing all the things he could do. It's kind of fun being back where he was at.'

The defining moment of this season may have come in victory over Sigourney-Keota.

The Regals struggled early and then turned to Vollstedt, who had worked on defense all week and had his left hand in a cast. He took some test handoffs, during the break, and then rushed for more than his teammates combined. He finished with 177 yards and four TDs in the 50-28 win.

'(Regina assistant) Coach Alex Kanellis had a very strong suggestion that we needed to give the ball to Isaac and let him run it, even with a cast on,' Cook recalled. 'He was convincing enough that we decided to do it and he was just phenomenal.'

Vollstedt has produced some of his bigger games against Regina's toughest 1A foes, tallying 182 and 115 yards against Wilton and West Branch, respectively. Neither compared to the effort in a thrilling 45-43 quarterfinal victory against No. 2 Pella Christian. Vollstedt rushed for 199 yards on 41 carries and three TDs.

'I don't think I've ever been in a game that close or that intense,' Vollstedt said. 'I don't think I ever will again. It was one of the most fun games I'll ever play in.'

Cook said he was surprised by his workload, learning he had 26 first-half carries at halftime of that game. The last person he would have heard from about it was Vollstedt. The unselfish and low-key ball carrier will do whatever is asked to help his team.

'I really like him because he has a great demeanor,' Cook said. 'He plays mean, tough and physical, but when you look at him you couldn't tell if he was up 20 (points) or down 20. He's really calm, cool and collected but he plays hard all the time. He's fun to watch.'

Vollstedt is a good fit to the Regina offensive scheme, running downhill and reading zone blocks and stretch plays. Cook said he is efficient and doesn't make unnecessary moves.

'He always does a good job of pressing the line of scrimmage and when he hits it he hits it quick and he's through to the next level," Cook said. "He's a physical runner when he gets to the next level. He's a first-contact win kind of guy.

'When he's out in the open, he kind of has a top-end gear that you wouldn't think with that type of big, physical runner that he could flat-out run a little bit.'

Regina's 1A dominance can easily be attributed to good offensive and defensive lines over the years. This year isn't different, according to Cook and Vollstedt. They will have their work cut out for them against Denver, which has an offensive line with two weighing more than 300 pounds and a 295-pounder. The Cyclones defensive front comes in at 200, 325, 200 and 195.

Vollstedt is confident the Regals can establish the run.

'Even with all my carries and all my yards, I couldn't take credit for most of them,' Vollstedt said. 'The line opened up all the holes. I think they've done a fantastic job. Almost doing my job for me. My job isn't too hard when they're opening up holes like that for me.'

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