Keating's punt block turning point in 2A championship

CEDAR FALLS – Iowa City Regina needed to fire up, so Ben Keating provided the spark.

The senior helped the Regals capture momentum early in the third quarter, blocking a Spirit Lake punt and propelling them to a second straight state title. Regina scored 14 points after Keating's block and led the rest of the way for a 24-20 win over No. 3 Spirit Lake in the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 2A state championship Saturday at the UNI-Dome.

Regina trailed 10-3 at halftime and forced the punt on Spirit Lake's opening possession of the second half. Keating maneuvered through the middle of the line and blocked the kick that deflected into open space at the 25-yard line where teammate Jake Lehman ran it to the 5 to set up a tying TD run by Jacob Vollstedt.

“I think it was a great moment,” Keating said. “It was one of the best moments in my high school life.”

The Regals added that specific punt block play in this week. Keating performed a swim move on the center and slid by the gap between him and the guard. Practice made perfect or at least perfect timing for Regina.

“We focused on me getting there,” Keating said. “It worked out.”

Regina Coach Marv Cook watched it developed but wasn't sure if Keating would get to it. He said Keating timed everything perfectly and took the appropriate angle for the block. Keating recognized he had a chance once he got by a blocker.

“When I saw him still holding the ball, I was incredibly happy,” said Keating, who didn't know where the ball went afterward. “I put my hands up and blocked it.”

The turnover put the Indians on their heels, but they did respond, pulling within four in the final quarter.

“We battled back after that,” Spirit Lake Coach Josh Bolluyt said. “I'm not going to hang it on one play.”

Not much was going the Regals' way until then, but the game immediately turned in their favor. It instantly energized Regina, which outscored Spirit Lake, 24-0, after falling behind 10-0.

“We ran it back down to the five with Jake Lehman and the crowd got into it,” Regina's George Sehl said. “I was getting the chills and it was awesome. I got very pumped up.”

Sehl rode that emotion into the next series. He provided a key interception, running it back into Spirit Lake territory.

 “It came right to me,” said Sehl, whose 49-yard TD catch put the Regals up 24-10. “I ran as far as I could.”

The Regals converted that turnover into another TD, taking a 17-10 lead. Those plays came when Regina needed it most, and led to more inspired play.

“To get some momentum and get back to even, as little as that may seem, it was a huge lift for our guys,” Cook said. “This is a game of emotion.”