West Branch (2-3) at Class 1A No. 2 Regina (5-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Where: Regal Field

Two long-time rivals reunite on Friday in a Class 1A, District 5 showdown with major postseason implications.

West Branch has won two straight in the series defeating Regina 23-0 in 2022 and rallying for a 21-17 win at the Little Rose Bowl last season.

Regina enters 2-0 in district play tied with Wilton (5-0, 2-0) atop the District 5 standings.

West Branch is 1-1 in District 5 contests after a home loss to Dyersville Beckman last week and needs a win on Friday to stay in the district title hunt.

Players to Watch

Regina

Kyle Tracy

A key question for Regina this season was under center where the Regals were replacing multi-year starter Gentry Dumont.

Tracy has more than answered those questions in a strong start for the junior signal caller.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Tracy has emerged as a true dual threat quarterback in his first season leading the offense accounting for more than 1,200 yards of total offense and 16 touchdowns.

Tracy has completed 66 percent of his passes (53-of-80) while throwing for 911 yards with 11 touchdowns and two interceptions and rushed for 295 yards and five touchdowns.

The West Branch defense will be one of the toughest tests of the season for Tracy and the Regal offense.

If Tracy can get into a rhythm early throwing it will open up the running game for Regina which has struggled in the previous two meetings against the Bears.

West Branch

Cooper Gates

West Branch has won back-to-back games over Regina by playing smashmouth style football.

That’s what Gates does best on both sides of the ball.

The junior running back/linebacker will be a key piece of the West Branch offense and defense this week as the Bears attempt to win a third straight over rival Regina and stay in the District 5 title hunt.

Gates has rushed for 387 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 7.6 yards per carry and leads West Branch with 28.5 tackles, 15 solo stops, 4.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.

In two West Branch wins Gates has averaged 87.5 rushing yards and 8.8 yards per carry and scored four touchdowns.

In the Bear’s three losses those numbers drop to 70.7 yards per game, 6.8 yards per carry and one touchdown.

Look for West Branch to get Gates going early on Friday.

Keys to the Game

West Branch

Move On

West Branch fell into a 7-0 hole 10 minutes into the game last week against Dyersville Beckman, trailed 20-6 at the half and never recovered in a 41-13 loss to the Blazers.

That game is over.

It’s a new week and the Bears need to get going early on Friday night.

Playing on the road at a rival a slow start is not a recipe for success.

Emotions are always high in rivalry games but West Branch needs to put last week behind and move forward with an extra spark early on Friday.

Regina

Be Balanced

Through five games Regina has been just about as balanced offensively as a team can be.

The Regals are averaging 184 rushing yards per game and 199 passing yards per game.

Regina has run the ball on 67 percent of its offensive plays and thrown on 33 percent of its plays, a 2-1 ratio that nearly any high school coach would like.

For Regina to be successful offensively on Friday they will likely need to continue that balance.

In the previous two meetings with West Branch the Regals are averaging just 48.5 rushing yards per game on 2.2 yards per carry.

Regina will certainly want to run the ball with sophomore Savion Miller who has rushed for 461 yards and three touchdowns but look for Regina to use its short to intermediate passing game to open up the run.

Both Teams

Play A Clean Game

If it sounds like simply analysis it is because it is but in games like this playing clean football wins.

This game is going to be close which makes the margins small.

Three of the previous six meetings between these two rivals have been decided by two touchdowns or less including last year’s four-win West Branch win.

Limiting mistakes like turnovers and penalties and maximizing on scoring opportunities will likely determine the winner.

Avoiding the big mistake is the key in a tight game so keep an eye on the turnover battle.

West Branch has committed 15 turnovers in five games and is -8 in turnover margin on the season.

Regina has committed five turnovers and is +1 in turnover margin.

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