By Ryan Murken
Your Prep Sports

IOWA CITY – There is no denying that plenty of focus for Regina was put on back-to-back marquee matchups to open the season.

With Class 3A powers Cedar Rapids Xavier and Solon up first on the Regals’ schedule that makes sense.

Any concerns about a lack of focus for Class 1A top-ranked Regina (4-1) entering Friday’s meeting with District 4 co-leader and eighth-ranked Wilton (5-0) were erased early in preparation for the Beavers.

“You don’t have to look far past the stats or on film to understand that they have some kids that are pretty tough and pretty athletic,” Regina coach Marv Cook said. “You have an undefeated team coming in here that’s playing well.”

The first two games on the Regina schedule were circled months ago while Friday’s 7 p.m. meeting with Wilton almost surely was not.

Wilton was 5-5 a year ago, losing to Pella Christian in the opening round of the 1A playoffs.

The Beavers have already matched their win total from a season ago with five straight wins to open the season and have climbed to No. 8 in the 1A rankings.

Wilton enters Friday’s meeting with Regina tied with the Regals atop the District 4 standings at 3-0 and has outscored opponents 202-58.

“They have a good group and they are extremely well coached,” Cook said. “They are off to a great start at 5-0 and they’ve played well.”

The Beavers’ unblemished record was enough to get the attention of Regina.

Throw in the added dimensions of a possible district title on the line and a homecoming crowd and a lack of focus in no concern from the Regals.

“They are an undefeated team coming here with a district title possibly on the line and it’s homecoming so that always gets the juice going you could say,” Regina senior Trae Rogers said. “We’re looking forward to Friday for sure.”

Wilton has been impressive on both sides of the ball during its 5-0 start.

The Beavers posted their second shutout in three district games last week, a 36-0 win at Louisa-Muscatine.

Wilton has allowed more than 300 yards in a game one time this season and is holding opponents to 218 yards per game.

“Wilton is a good team, they have a good defense,” Regina senior Jack Jensen said. “They play just like us, they run a similar offense and we know they will be a tough team.”

The offensive numbers are just as impressive.

Wilton is averaging 387 yards per game, 229 of which come on the ground.

Senior Bryce Oveson leads the way with 619 rushing yards and nine touchdowns and quarterback Jerome Mays has added 319 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

“They have a good plan,” Cook said. “You can tell that they know what they are trying to set up and they have a good mix of big and athletic lineman with skill guys. They use everybody in a smart way.”

Regina has been dominant since opening the season with a nine-point loss to 3A top-ranked Xavier.

The Regals have allowed 34 total points in their last four games and held three opponents under 133 total yards.

Meanwhile the Regina offense has rolled up 42 points and 420 yards per game during its four-game winning streak.

Regina is fully focused on building on those numbers on Friday.

“You can’t take any game off this year, every game is an elimination game, you have to play your best,” Rogers said. “Every game counts if you lose one or two you could be out so you have to make the most of it.”