BLOOMFIELD — Football fans in the Bloomfield area were thrilled last Wednesday.

For the first time ever, the Davis County Mustangs were hosting a postseason football game.

Then their beloved team went ahead and raised the stakes.

Tonight, the Davis County football team will host its first-ever state playoff game — and football has become the talk of the town.

The Mustangs (8-2) will host Iowa City Regina (9-1) tonight in the first round of the Class 2A State Playoffs, in a rematch of a substate contest from last season. A year ago, Regina took a defensive 15-6 victory over Davis County in the Class 2A Substate.

In the huge substate win over North Cedar last week, the Mustangs trailed for much of the game before catching fire late and holding on for a 28-26 victory.

The win was the first postseason win in the history of the Davis County football program.

Trailing 26-16 late in the third quarter, the Mustang offense got touchdown runs from Austin Utt and Zach Fligg while the Mustang defense shut North Cedar down. A missed North Cedar field goal with about a minute to play iced the victory.

The Mustang defense allowed over 250 yards on the ground to North Cedar, which was able to gain just 22 yards through the air. The Mustangs were more balanced offensively, with 182 rushing yards and 122 passing yards.

Balance has defined the Davis County attack all season, led by quarterback Coleton Mathews’ double-threat. Against North Cedar, Mathews rushed for 132 yards and passed for 116. Mathews has been at or near the top in passing yardage in Class 2A all season, and has earned several spots in the Davis County career record book as a quarterback. He has thrown for over 1700 yards this season and two touchdowns. Tucker Henderson and Aaron Halls are Mathews’ favorite targets. The two have combined for 75 receptions and over 1100 yards.

The production of the Mustang offense is even-Steven. Davis County has gained 1759 yards on the ground and 1759 yards through the air. Mathews is now over 1000 yards on the season rushing with eight rushing touchdowns. Utt has 730 yards and 12 scores. Utt also has snagged six interceptions on defense and returned two for touchdowns, while Fligg leads the team in tackles.

Regina is led by junior quarterback Jack Verducci, who has nearly 500 yards on the ground and nearly 1200 through the air. Regina downed West Burlington 28-5 in Wednesday’s substate contest. Regina’s only loss this season is to Solon, 42-7.

Junior Zach Pechous is also a threat for Regina, as he has returned one kickoff and three punts for touchdowns this season.

In other first-round state action tonight, in Class A, North Mahaska (8-2) will travel to take on top-ranked North Tama (10-0) in a rematch of the final game of the regular season for both teams, which was won 7-0 by North Tama.

North Mahaska has been led by Joseph Agan on the ground. Agan has 1100 yards rushing this season while Dylan Boyle has accumulated 488 yards rushing and 649 yards through the air. Cody VanDonselaar has rushed for 528 yards this season.