Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Few teams have gotten as familiar with the UNI-Dome over the past decade as Regina.

Regina will be making its eighth consecutive semifinal appearance on Saturday when it faces third-ranked Pella Christian (11-0) at 10 a.m. at the UNI-Dome.

Fourth-ranked Regina (9-2) is seeking an eighth straight state title game appearance after having its string of six consecutive titles end with a 47-34 loss to Western Christian in last year’s 1A championship.

Here are five things to watch on Saturday morning as Regina and Pella Christian kick off the final day of semifinal week at the UNI-Dome.

Mr. November

The later the season goes the better Isaac Vollstedt gets.

Vollstedt has gone over 100 yards rushing in seven consecutive playoff games dating back to his sophomore season in 2015.

The Regina senior running back has been at his best with the season on the line rushing for 247 yards and three touchdowns in the Regals two postseason wins this season.

Vollstedt is averaging 141 yards per game and has scored 13 touchdowns in his last seven postseason contests and is even more impressive in November games averaging 153 yards a game with nine scores.

The 6-foot, 200-pound bruiser had 199 yards and three touchdowns on a career-high 41 carries in a 45-43 quarterfinal win over Pella Christian last season.

The Beat Goes On

Pella Christian lost a pair of first-team all-state picks and both ends of the most dynamic quarterback and receiver combos in the state last season and somehow hasn’t skipped a beat on offense.

Quarterback David Kacmarynski and receiver Levi Jungling graduated after senior seasons that ranked among the best in 1A.

Despite the heavy losses to graduation at skill spots the Eagles come to the UNI-Dome leading 1A in scoring at 46.6 points per game and averaging 421 total yards.

“They lost two incredible athletes offensively but they plugged two new guys in and they are even more dynamic,” Regina coach Marv Cook said. “They are even more of a threat sideline to sideline than they were before.”

Vroom, Vroom

A big reason for that offensive success can be traced to senior quarterback Hayden Vroom two took over for Kacmarynski who was a first-team all-state pick last season.

At 5-foot-10, 150-pounds Vroom is a stark contrast physically to the Kacmarynski who was 6-foot-3, 227 pounds as a senior last season.

Vroom is more a dual-threat than Kacmarynski and has the numbers to prove it rushing for 1,041 yards and 19 touchdowns to go with 1,168 yards passing and 14 scores.  

“The quarterback does a good job of running it and he’s effective throwing it,” Cook said. “I wouldn’t say that’s his strength but he’s good enough at it that you have to play it.”

Dome Sweet Dome

At the UNI-Dome experience is key.

It’s a new feel, new surface and for most teams an entirely new experience.

Not for Regina which is making its eighth straight semifinal appearance and has played 14 games inside the UNI-Dome over the past seven seasons.

That familiarity is an advantage for the Regals against a Pella Christian team appearing in its first ever semifinal.

“If nothing else a lot of guys have been there and dressed and been on the sideline and seen that atmosphere,” Cook said. “We’ve always emphasized that you need to be ready when you time is called and it doesn’t matter if you are a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior you just have to go play football and play Regina football.”

Taking One Away

Pella Christian has the ability to move the ball on the ground or through the air.

The plan for Regina is to take one of those away, which one depends on the game.

“Every team that is multi-faceted instead of one-dimensional is going to be harder to prepare for I think that just means it’ going to be a better game for us,” Regina senior defensive back Jake Phillips said. “Not just one side of the ball has to dominate or one part of the defense has to dominate I think everyone as a collective unit has to step up and being playing their best ball.”