Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

IOWA CITY – Everyone within the Regina football program knew Jack Tierney was going to be an important piece in the Regal offense this season.

It was just a matter of how to use the multi-talented Tierney.

To begin the season Tierney was an offensive Swiss Army knife splitting time between receiver and quarterback will also playing defensive back and punting.

In week five Tierney took over as the Regals’ starting quarterback after an injury to sophomore Gentry Dumont.

Regardless of his role this season Tierney has been productive.

“We knew coming into the season we had two guys that could play quarterback and so when Gentry went down we really didn’t worry a whole lot about it,” Regina coach Jason Dumont said. “He’s such a good runner and a good athlete.”

Tierney had a touchdown pass, a touchdown run and caught two passes for 19 yards in the first two games. He also had 5.5 tackles and an interception during those wins over Williamsburg and West Liberty.

When Gentry Dumont was injured early in a district opener against Mediapolis Tierney took over at quarterback and has continued to improve as the Regals primarily signal caller.

“I have gotten more comfortable throughout the year,” Tierney said. “The more I am playing the more I am seeing defense the more comfortable I get in the offense it makes it easier to make plays.”

In four games as the starting quarterback Tierney has completed 43-of-77 passes (56 percent) for 685 yards and six touchdowns with just one interception.

The 6-foot, 175-pound junior is a true dual threat at the quarterback position adding 345 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

“He’s improved a lot and really the whole team has and that’s what has been encouraging,” Jason Dumont said. “Jack has really improved and we’ve improved as a team.”

Just how far has Tierney come since the start of the season? Consider the stats.

In the season opener against Williamsburg he completed 1-of-5 passes for 5 yards.

A week later he was 1-of-2 for 10 yards and a touchdown in a win at West Liberty.

In a 41-19 win over Cascade last Friday in the opening round of the Class 1A playoffs Tierney had the best game of his career.

Tierney went 17-of-20 passing for 224 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for a team-high 130 yards and a score in the win over the Cougars.

“When Gentry went down he didn’t skip a beat and just stepped right up,” Regina senior Sam Aitchison said. “He completed one pass in the first game and now we are rolling in the pass game a little more.”

Tierney scored on a 65-yard touchdown play on the first play from scrimmage against Cascade and finished with a career-high 354 yards of total offense.

“We had that first play that got the momentum going and we didn’t let off the gas,” Tierney said. “We have continued to improve all season”

Tierney completed passes to five different receivers in the win over Cascade as Regina rolled up 417 yards of total offense and a season-high 41 points.

“We have receivers that can catch just about anything and our line gives me great time in the pocket,” Tierney said. “It’s fantastic.”

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