The Program: Regina preps for Week 2

IOWA CITY - Big-game week.When you win 43 straight games, you approach each game as if it was a big game.Iowa City Regina is back to work after the Labor Day holiday and a season-opening 42-14 win over West Liberty. The Regals are staring a huge non-district test for Week 2 - the Solon Spartans.Yes, those Solon Spartans. The program that won four straight state titles from 2007-10 and losing only to the eventual state champions in the postseason the last two seasons. The same team that had 42 straight wins when Regina snapped it.The Class 1A Regals break into groups, following workouts. The lineman work on blocking technique. A key factor in the upcoming game, and future challenges in a stacked 1A District 6. Coach Alex Kanellis has a deep barking voice that one would stereotypically associate with a line coach.Kanellis mixes in mild instructions for improvement, flawlessly switching to demonstrating the skill. Then he encourages the players to make the most of the moment."You have three chances to become a better player before the next game of the season," Kanellis said. "Take advantage."Later on, the team begins to work on the offense, which is guided by Coach Marv Cook's son, Drew, who is a junior. The younger Cook is locked on to assistant coach Ed Hinkel, who is signaling plays to run, likely getting him acclimated to game-time situations.Not everything goes smoothly when you're unbeaten. Drew Cook draws the ire of the head coach when he throws an errant pass and then turns and walks away from the play. Marv Cook stresses the importance of having to yell "Osky" (the customary call for an interception) to inform the rest of the offense of the turnover so they can pursue and get a tackle. He doesn't want the first-year full-time varsity starter to get in a habit of walking away from the play in practice.He tells the entire team they need more intensity and focus. The first big challenge awaits."We have to be better," Marv Cook said.During the next water break, the Cooks stroll to the sideline. They are calmly sharing thoughts and discussing the run-through.Defensive Coordinator Jason Dumont, who played for the University of Iowa's 1991 Rose Bowl team, begins working with the defense. They briefly split into front-seven and defensive backs. They come together to go over schemes.Dumont asked how many of the players are playing on both sides of the ball. I didn't see any hands. He said that means there is no reason that each player can't give 100-percent effort each play. The only person he cut some slack was last year's Mr. Everything Mike Donovan, who may not have stepped off the field for a play during some games.The emphasis was on details. It's amazing how intricate things are in the team's approach. The communication between the different coaches is impressive. They seem to bounce questions off each other and all are open to provide input. It's a collaborative effort, each playing a role.It might be a reason they have won three straight state titles and 43 straight games. Solon provides a major roadblock to No. 44.