Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Regina (4-2) at Class 1A No. 1 West Branch (6-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Where: The Little Rose Bowl

Long-time rivals Regina and West Branch renew what has been one of the best rivals among small school teams in the state over the past several decades.

Top-ranked West Branch is off to an impressive start this season outscoring opponents 324-59 during a 6-0 start and is seeking its first win over Regina since 2005.

Regina has won back-to-back games following a 2-2 start to the season and joins Mediapolis and Durant as teams that currently sit 2-1 in Class 1A, District 5 trailing leader West Branch at 3-0.

Players to Watch

Regina – Levi Daniel

Like his running back/linebacker counterpart at West Branch Andy Henson, Daniel is a key piece of the Regals plan on both sides of the ball.

Daniel was slowed by an injury early but has gotten rolling of late rushing for 256 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries during the Regals two-game winning streak.

The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Daniel will be a big part of the Regina offensive plan on Friday as the Regals attempt to control the ball and keep the West Branch offensive off the field.

Daniel will also be a key on defense against a strong West Branch running game

West Branch – Logan Wright

West Branch has controlled the line of scrimmage in each of its first six games and the emergence of Wright as an impact player on both sides of the ball has been a big reason why.

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Wright is a force on the offensive line and the Bears have run behind Wright often while rushing for better than 211 yards per game.

Wright has done perhaps his best work on defense where he is a handful for opponents from his defensive line spot.

In six games this season Wright has made a team-high nine tackles for loss and has two sacks for a West Branch defense allowing just 145 yards per game.

Keys to the Game

Regina – Run to Pass

Regina has been balanced offensively rushing for 148 yards per game and throwing for 111 yards per contest.

When the Regals have had success running the ball the yards through the air have come much easier for junior quarterback Gentry Dumont.

Case in point: Regina has averaged 249 rushing yards on 7.8 yards per carry the past two games and conversely Dumont has completed 13-of-23 passes for 224 yards and five touchdowns without an interception.

If Regina can get Daniel going on the ground game it should open up passing opportunities for Dumont who has a legit big-play threat in junior Jackson Naeve who has made 22 receptions for 343 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 15.6 yards per catch.

West Branch – Press the Issue  

West Branch has been in attack mode on both sides of the ball all season.

The Bears have dictated pass on offense, going with tempo at times and putting pressure on defenses while racking up 345 total yards and 54 points per game.

Just as importantly the Bears have played downhill on defense making 52 tackles behind the line of scrimmage including 10 sacks.

That pressure on defense has led to 11 turnovers, seven of which the Bears have returned for touchdowns.

Against an opponent that has had its number in recent years West Branch needs to apply pressure early and keep its foot on the pedal for four quarters.

Both teams – Finish Drives

This game has all the makings of a low-possession, ball control, field position type of game.

The trick for both teams will be taking advantage of scoring opportunities.

That means punching in touchdowns when inside the 10 and getting points on possessions that penetrate the 20.

Both teams have been solid in the kick game.

West Branch senior Wyatt Fiderlein is 31-of-37 on PAT attempts and has made both field goal attempts including a 39-yarder.

Regina senior Evan Lacina is a perfect 2-of-2 on PATs and made his only field goal attempt, a 33-yarder.

In an expected tight games where points could be at a premium cashing in on opportunities is paramount to success.

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