Regina rolls Wapello for 50th straight win

IOWA CITY - Fifty is nifty.Iowa City Regina might think so after extending its win streak to that many on Senior Night.The senior class has yet to experience a varsity loss in high school with the top-ranked Regals exploded for 42 points in the second quarter to trounce Wapello, 49-0, Friday night at Regina. The Regals clinched the Class 1A District 6 title with their 50th consecutive win. The victory pushed Regina past Harlan (2003-06) for second on the state's list of longest unbeaten streaks. Waterloo East (1965-71) is first with 56 straight games without a loss, including 55 victories in a row.The win streak is a product of weekly preparation, so they will be back to work for No. 51 and a fourth straight state title."If we can continue to take care of all the little things the big things will take care of themselves," Regina Coach Marv Cook said. "I think the kids, for the most part, have been focused on that. They understand they can control what they can control, and that's enjoying it (Friday night) and getting back (Saturday) and locking in."The Regals (8-0, 5-0) locked in at the end of a scoreless first quarter, concluding with Michael Adam's interception of Alex Rollinger, the district's second-leading passer in yards, deep in Regina territory.The rout was sparked by Regina's quick-strike ability. Drew Cook took the snap and squeezed through the line, running 68 yards for a touchdown on Regina's first play of the possession to start the second quarter.It was the first of five straight scoring drives that lasted three plays or less. Cook credited his defense and special teams for good field position, helping the offense.“I think it was a great set up by our defense,” Cook said. “Our offense was able to come out and make some explosion-type plays.”The passing attack did most of the damage, including four TD passes from Cook, who had 180 yards and didn't play after halftime. Senior Bryan Amelon was on the receiving end of those throws, streaking down the left side, making the catch and shedding a tackler for a 54-yard score.“We have so many weapons on offense,” Amelon said. “They can all make big plays.”They hooked up again with 15.5 seconds left before halftime. Payton Raso faked a reverse, pitching it back to Cook, who hit Amelon for a 52-yard TD to cap the offensive outburst.“Coach called my number up and I just had to answer it,” Amelon said. “Drew threw a perfect pass to me and I just ran it in to the end zone.”Amelon had 113 receiving yards on three catches, making Senior night a little more special.“Definitely,” Amelon said. “Being a senior and having a big game, that's a good day.”Nick Phillips was just as impressive for the Regals. He hauled in a short pass to the right and broke three tackles, sliding his way through the Indians (3-5, 1-5) defense for a 39-yard TD, putting Regina up, 21-0, with 6:33 in the second.Less than four minutes before that, Phillips intercepted Rollinger and returned it to the Indians 17. Three plays later Cook hit Phillips in the seam for a 10-yard TD for a 14-0 edge.The defense added to the scoring barrage. Senior defensive end Mike Sehl broke up the four TD passes with an interception return for a score. It was his first career varsity touchdown.“It feels great,” said Sehl, claiming he has good hands for a lineman. “It's something I'll remember the rest of my life.“I caught it and ran for my life toward the end zone.”Sehl identified a screen pass, dropped from his rush and snagged Rollinger's throw, running 24 yards for the score, extending Regina's advantage to 28-0.“Mike's play was brilliant,” Cook said. “it shows you the kind of player he is. He is very smart.”Regina's defense smothered Wapello's offense, allowing 53 total yards. The Indians managed just 49 passing yards, ranking second in the district with more than 1,200 yards through seven weeks. Cook said his team swarmed to the ball and smothered a solid offense with a talented quarterback, nabbing four total interceptions.“I was extremely pleased with our defense,” Cook said. “I thought it was dominant at times and really kept turning the pressure on their offense.”Regina closes the regular season next week at Sigourney-Keota. The Regals, who won the 2012 1A title after 2A crowns in 2010 and 2011, earned their 11th postseason berth. They can only make claim for a record if they make it back to a fourth straight state championship game, but attention is on Week 9.“We don't really focus on the win streak,” Amelon said. “We focus on the regular season. It is in the back of our minds but we just have to do our jobs every week.”

IC Regina 49, Wapello 0

AT AT IOWA CITY

TEAM STATISTICS

Wapello

IC Regina

First downs

3

13

Rushes-yards

32 - 4

19 - 189

Passing yards

49

192

Comp-Att-Int

7 - 12 - 4

13 - 17 - 1

Total yards

53

381

Fumbles-lost

2 - 0

1 - 1

Punts-average

7 - 37.0

2 - 34.5

Penalties-yards

1 - 15

1 - 15

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing:  Wapello – Abdul Green 3-11 , Holden Brockway 4-11 , Jorge Osornio 4-7 , Logan Grimm 1-0 , Alex Rollinger 8--1 , Adrain Lanz 10--2 , Team 2--22  IC Regina – Drew Cook 2-68 , Riley Dixon 6-50 , Cliff Wagner 2-19 , Eric Bracken 3-11 , Thomas Rapp 1-6 , Jake Brinkman 1-4 , Michael Cooper 5-31

Passing:  Wapello – Rollinger 7-11-4-49 , Green 0-1-0-0  IC Regina – Cook 8-10-0-180 , Jared Garaets 0-2-1-0 , Wagner 2-2-0-7 , Rapp 3-3-0-5

Receiving:  Wapello – Osornio 1-21 , Grimm 3-16 , Tariq Green 2-8 , Brockway 1-4  IC Regina – Bryan Amelon 3-113 , Phillips 3-57 , Dixon 2-10 , Cale Lehman 1-6 , Nile Vincent 3-5 , Grant Hogan 1-1

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Wapello

–

IC Regina

42

7

–

49

SCORING SUMMARY

ICR - Cook 68 run (Jacob Adam kick)

ICR - Phillips 10 pass from Cook (J. Adam kick)

ICR - Phillips 39 pass from Cook (J. Adam kick)

ICR - Mike Sehl 24 interception return (J. Adam kick)

ICR - Amelon 54 pass from Cook (J. Adam kick)

ICR - Amelon 52 pass from Cook (J. Adam kick)

ICR - Cooper 11 run (J. Adam kick)