Dominate Regals ready to prove top ranking

IOWA CITY - The most dominant team in the state might be Iowa City Regina.The Regals strolled through their Class 2A district, beating opponents by a combined score of 324-18 and holding the No. 1 ranking all season. And if a dangerous dual-threat quarterback and one-two rushing attack weren't enough, Regina tallied 12 touchdowns on defense and special teams.Now in just their third season since moving up from 1A, the Regals should be poised for a deep run to the UNI-Dome.“They've got a mission and they've worked extremely hard the last 2-3 years to get ready and get into this position,” Regina Coach Marv Cook said. “We know the challenges are going to get bigger and better each week, and we'll hopefully be ready to answer them.”The balanced attack from Regina (9-0) has been difficult to defend.Quarterback Jack Verducci threw for 1,086 yards and 14 touchdowns during the regular season, adding 316 yards and three scores on the ground. Verducci has a strong arm, lots of weapons and throws well on the run.In the backfield, senior Anthony Halsch rushed for 678 yards and 11 touchdowns. Fullback Berkley Grimm, a bruising 240-pounder, averaged almost nine yards a carry with six TDs.Regina's defense allowed only 39 points - 15 of them to Solon - and scored on four interceptions and two fumble returns. The Regals are quick in pursuit and opponents have struggled to bounce runs outside.Returner Zach Pechous, who missed the last game with a minor injury but is expected to play tonight, has six kickoff and punt returns for touchdowns.With seniors starting at every offensive skill position, Regina shouldn't lose focus.“Nothing really changes,” Halsch said. “We're still going to practice hard and our scout team has been giving us a great look.”It's those practices in September and October that may end up really paying off for the Regals in a few weeks.With starters not making it to the fourth quarter almost the entire season because of a lopsided score - sometimes not even the third quarter - Cook has used practice to replicate tough in-game situations that his team hasn't seen yet.“We've done a lot of things in practice to try and stress them,” he said.Even with the postseason starting, Regina might not see a legitimate test until the quarterfinals with a potential matchup against No. 4 Sigourney-Keota's dangerous rushing attack.But don't expect a letdown from this group.“We're proud of what we've done so far, but there is absolutely no room for complacency on this team because when that happens people are going to bite up and get us,” Verducci said. “We can't afford a setback like that.”

By Jason Brummond, Correspondent