Regina and Wilton battle for top district spot

Iowa City Regina has been perfect for 48 straight games.

The Regals best performance might have to come if they want to reach 49 in a row.

Top-ranked Regina travels to No. 4 Wilton in a Class 1A District 6 showdown of unbeaten teams Friday, beginning at 7 p.m. The winner will take a stronghold on the district title and clinch a playoff berth.

Margin of error is slim for two teams that have dominated their opponents so far this season. Wilton's closest game was a 14-point win over West Branch, while Regina has won its games by 25 or more. The Regals (6-0, 4-0) expect a tough battle, requiring a solid performance from the offense, defense and special teams.

"It's going to be all three phases," Regina Coach Marv Cook said. "This is going to be a game we're going to have to earn. The team that plays the cleanest and more physical will ultimately be the team that wins the game."

The two teams have nearly posted identical results this season. The Beavers (6-0, 4-0) have been just as impressive as the two-time 1A defending state champions. Wilton has outscored its opponents 262-56, scoring just one less point than Regina and allowing two more. The Beavers are just a half-point per game behind the Regals for average margin of victory. Wilton has had three shutouts, while Regina has two.

"We know they are a great team," senior lineman Adam Demory said. "They are capable of great things. We just have to give it our best shot."

The similarities are uncanny. Regina quarterback Drew Cook threw for more than 300 yards against Alburnett last week, giving him 1,003  for the season. Wilton standout signal-caller Tyler Hetzler has thrown for 994 yards. Wilton has rushed for 1,312 yards, 45 more than the Regals, whose 22 rushing touchdowns are just four more than the Beavers.

Wilton's skill players pose a challenge that they Regals haven't quite faced yet. Koy Snider leads the Beavers in rushing with 634 yards and 10 TDs. He also has 383 receiving yards and nine touchdown receptions. Kaleb Schmidt has been Hetzler's top target with 25 catches for 417 receiving yards.

"Their quarterback is really, really good," Cook said. "Their receivers, running backs and line all play as a unit. When you've got 11 guys playing as a unit, you have a pretty formidable team."

A good offense might help the Regals defense, but that is easier said than done. Even though it would be in Regina's best interest to win the time of possession. Wilton's best players play both sides of the ball. The Beavers have a whopping 38 solo tackles for loss and 11 sacks.

"Their skilled players are on the field for offense and defense," Cook said. "You want to keep them from scoring points and make sure you minimize their opportunities. If we can manage the ball effectively and control it that obviously would play to our benefit."

Wilton Coach Lance Pedersen and Cook are both West Branch products. West Branch Coach Butch Pedersen is Lance's father, and was Bears head coach for a part of Cook's prep career. Cook said Lance Pedersen is good in putting his players in a position to succeed.

"Coach Pedersen does a great job with that group, and their staff does a phenomenal job," Cook said. "They're extremely well-coached and talented."

Regina has faced big games early in the season, including annual battles with Solon and West Branch. Wilton ranks up there with Sigourney-Keota, which plays Regina in the final week of the season. The focus isn't necessarily team they are playing, but to play their best each week.

"We have to come out and play a complete game," Demory said. "We're constantly taught to play up. We need to keep getting better ourselves. That's the goal. Just keep working."

Contests like Wilton this late in the regular season helps the team prepare for the grueling playoff run. The Regals are not looking ahead. They realize they have to clear a big hurdle on the road this week.

"If we win Friday then we're in the playoffs," Cook said. "That's something you always shoot for. You want to make sure you qualify."