By Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Regina

Head coach: Marv Cook (11th season, 124-9).

Assistant coaches: Jason Dumont, Ed Hinkel, Alex Kanellis, Brad Beane, Jake Reisen, Mark Mitchell, Jeremy Squires, Josh Berry and John Bobst.

Last season: 11-2 (Class 1A runner-up)

Returning Starters: Isaac Vollstedt, Sr., RB/LB; Michael Conlon, Sr., QB/DB; Steve Sehl, Sr., OL/DL; Alex Moore, Sr., OL/DL; Luke Stein, Jr., OL/DL; Jake Phillips, Sr., RB/WR.

Other returning letterwinners: Kieler Brown, Jr., RB/DB; Patrick Clark, Jr., WR/DB; Nick Milder, Jr., LB; Nick Bouland, Sr., OL/DL.

Newcomers to watch: Jayden Kies, Sr., WR/DB; Parker Eden, Sr., WR/DB; Bryce Barnett, Jr., WR/DB; Prescott Arendt, Jr., WR/LB; Cole White, Sr., OL/DL.

Playoff history: 14 appearances (1972, 2004-2016). Regina won state titles in 2005 (1A), 2010, 2011 (2A), 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 (1A).

District: Class 1A, District 4

District favorites: Regina didn’t have a district contest decided by less than three touchdowns last season and is a heavy favorite to add another district crown.

Circle the date: Aug. 25 vs. Cedar Rapids Xavier. It doesn’t get much better to start the season as two of the most successful programs in the state over the past decade meet in Iowa City.

Headliner: Isaac Vollstedt (6-0, 200) rolled up 1,114 yards and 15 touchdowns while battling injuries as a junior and should be in for a huge senior season. 

Unsung hero: A three-year starter on the offensive line, senior Steve Sehl (6-3, 270) is the leader of what should be another strong Regal offensive front.

Keep an eye on: Vollstedt may get more carries but Regina will make sure to get the ball in the hands of senior Jake Phillips (5-10, 200) plenty after Phillips accounted for nearly 900 yards from scrimmage last season.

Biggest question: Do the Regals return to the top of 1A? For the first time since 2010 Regina doesn’t enter the season as the defending champs after having a state-record string of six consecutive titles snapped with a loss to Western Christian in the 1A title game last November.

Quotable: “Those guys know what is expected and how hard you need to work to deserve a chance and the opportunity to win,” Regina coach Marv Cook.

Schedule

Aug. 25: Cedar Rapids Xavier

Sept. 1: @ Solon

Sept. 8: Wapello*

Sept. 15: @ Sigourney-Keota*

Sept. 22: Highland*

Sept: 29: @ Wilton*

Oct. 6: Van Buren*

Oct. 13: Columbus*

Oct. 20:  @ Louisa-Muscatine*