Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Regina

Head coach: Dustin Elsbury (3^rd season, 21-3)

Assistant coaches: Ed Hinkel; Dan Davis; John Naeve; David Zoeckler; Kale Krogh; Kyle Naeve; Matt Melloy; Michael Pannone; Owen Grover; Steve Christopherson; Tyler Schamel; Wes Watson

Last season: 12-1 (Class 1A runner-up)

Returning starters: Tate Wallace, Sr., LB/DE/TE; Gabe Hegelheimer, Jr., K/RB/LB; Kaleb Moeller, Sr., DB; Trey Streb, Sr., DB; Luke Hamilton, Sr., LB; Will Litton, Sr., DE/TE; Roan Eckhoff, Sr., LB; Simon Shetler, Sr., OL/DL; Nate Parizek, Jr., OL/DL; Devin Szanajda, Sr., OL; Porter Shetler, Sr., OL/DL

Newcomers to watch: Holt Hinkel, Jr., WR/DB; Gabe Schuessler, Jr., WR/DB; Zach Poe, Jr., QB/LB; Colin Tierney, Soph., LB/WR; Aiden Gaffey, Jr., QB/DB; Daniel Mambo, Sr., OL/DL

Playoff history: 22 appearances (1972, 2004-2017, 2019-2025). Regina has won eight state championships, winning titles in 2005 (1A), 2010, 2011 (2A), 2012-2015 (1A) and 2020 (A).

District: Class 1A, District 6 (Cardinal, Durant, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, Louisa-Muscatine, Sigourney/Keota).

District favorite: Regina is a heavy favorite to repeat as District 6 champ after outscoring five district opponents by a combined total of 237-27 last season.

Circle the date: September 10 at Alburnett. Regina concludes non-district play with a rare Thursday contest at 2025 Class 2A quarterfinalist Alburnett. Regina defeated the Pirates 59-27 last season in Iowa City.

Headliner: Senior tight end/linebacker Tate Wallace (6-3, 240) is one of the top players in the state and capable of dominating a game on either side of the ball. A Minnesota commit, Wallace was a first-team Class 1A all-state pick last season after making 40 receptions for 611 yards and 10 touchdowns and adding 49.5 tackles with 18 for loss and 8.5 sacks. Over the past three seasons Wallace has 126 receptions for 1,793 yards and 21 touchdowns and 99.5 tackles, with 23.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks.

Ready for a breakthrough: Through this point in his career junior Gabe Hegelheimer (6-0, 205) is most known for his play on special teams, twice earning all-state honors as a place kicker after converting 100-of-102 career PAT attempts while going 6-of-9 on field goals. That could change this season as Hegelheimer is poised to take on a much bigger role in the Regina backfield. Hegelheimer rushed for 294 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 11.8 yards per carry last season.

Unsung hero: If junior two-way lineman Nate Parizek (6-5, 260) puts together another season like he had last fall he won’t be unsung for long. Parizek had 13 tackles with 3.5 for loss and two sacks on defense and was equally effective on offense where he has developed into an impressive force with the ability to move defenders off the ball.

Keep an eye on: Senior linebacker Luke Hamilton (5-11, 175) emerged as a defensive playmaker last fall leading Regina in tackles on his way to earning first team Class 1A all-state honors. Hamilton racked up 55 tackles with 8.5 for loss and two sacks, recovered a fumble and added an interception and will be around the ball a bunch again this season.

Remember the name: Regina lost significant production to graduation at both wide receiver and in the defensive secondary but has a number of experienced players like senior Kaleb Moeller (6-0, 170) waiting to take on an even larger role. Moeller had five receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns and made 24 tackles and recovered a fumble last season but should see those numbers climb this fall.

Biggest strength: The Offensive line. Regina was excellent up front last season paving the way for the Regals to average 7.3 yards per rush attempt, 9.1 yards per play and 45.7 points per game. With four starters returning the Regals have an opportunity to be even better on the offensive line this fall. Seniors Simon Shetler (6-0, 235), Porter Shetler (6-0, 235), Devin Szanajda (6-3, 240) and junior Nate Parizek (6-5, 260) all return after starting last season. Toss in senior Daniel Mambo (5-11, 235) and Cedar Rapids Prairie transfer Will Evans (6-4, 300) and the Regals should once again have an offensive line that ranks among the best in Class 1A.

Biggest question: Who steps up at the offensive skill positions? While Regina returns loads of experienced talent the Regals do need to fill holes most notably at quarterback and wide receiver. The Regals must replace a two-year starter at quarterback in departed senior all-stater Kyle Tracy, it’s top rusher from a year ago and five of its top six pass catchers. There is returning talent at all three spots. Juniors Zachary Poe (6-1, 190) and Aiden Gaffey (6-3, 170) are next in line at quarter after combining to complete 20-of-39 passes for 190 yards last season. Gabe Hegelheimer is ready for a breakthrough at running back while senior Kaleb Moeller headlines a list of rising receivers that also includes senior Trey Streb (5-11, 175) and juniors Holt Hinkel (5-11, 145), Gabe Schuessler (6-2, 175) and Colin Tierney (6-1, 200).

Quotable: “We always talk about to be able to win those big games, the close games you have to be able to run the ball and lean on the guys up front to get those nitty gritty yards,” Regina coach Dustin Elsbury said. “We should have all seniors on the line along with Nate Parizek who is a junior but it’s nice when you have that senior leadership, guys who have played in meaningful games all coming back and it’s nice when you have a new quarterback you can say you don’t have to be Tom Brady just hand the ball off and trust in our guys up front, you can trust that they are going to give you time to throw the ball.”

2026 Schedule

Date/Opponent/Record in 2025

August 28: Wilton (9-3)

September 4: at West Branch (7-3)

September 10: at Alburnett (8-3)

September 18: Cardinal (1-7)

September 25: at Durant (5-4)

October 2: Sigourney/Keota (5-5)

October 9: Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (3-6)

October 16: at Louisa-Muscatine (1-8)

Did you enjoy this subscription free article? Help keep Your Prep Sports free by donating