Royal rolls into 1A quarterfinals

Royal 46, Chelan 7

Knights 46, Goats 7

ROYAL CITY - The Royal Knights football team remained perfect this season following their 46-7 victory over the Chelan Goats Saturday afternoon in the opening round of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) 1A state football playoffs.

Senior wide receiver Blair Collins led the 11-0 Knights with four touchdowns as Royal moved one step closer to defending their 2007 WIAA state championship.

Royal head coach Wiley Allred said Collins is a special player.

"If the secret isn't out now," Allred said with a smile. "He is a tough one to handle."

The Knights scored their first touchdown of the game on a 3-yard touchdown run from junior running back Will Christensen and Royal never looked back as they controlled the Goats on the field turf at Davis Nielsen Memorial Stadium in Royal City.

With Royal holding a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, Collins started to lead his team to victory.

Collins caught a 79-yard touchdown pass from Royal senior quarterback Connor Paysse as the Knights built a 14-0 first quarter lead.

Paysse said Collins is an outstanding athlete.

"Blair makes the most of his opportunities," Paysse said.

The Knights continued their dominance in the second quarter when Collins scored his second touchdown of the afternoon on a 3-yard touchdown run.

The score gave the Knights a 21-0 lead with less than four minutes remaining in the first half.

Allred and his football team looked destined to go into the half with a 21-point advantage when the Knights took possession of the football late in the second quarter and deep in their own territory.

Destiny would have other plans for the Knights.

Paysse took the snap from senior center Sam Rice and handed the ball to Collins in the backfield.

Collins ran into a wall of defenders and looked as if he would be stopped for a short gain.

As the clock ran out in the first half, Collins broke loose from the grasp of the Chelan defense and zigged and zagged his way down the field as Royal took a 28-0 lead into the half.

Allred said he was hoping to catch Chelan napping with his play selection when Collins scored.

"Blair made the big plays," he said. "The play was designed to score but we wanted to see what he gets and then throw something downfield."

While Collins gave the Knights a commanding lead, Paysse said his offensive line, especially senior Tanner Freeman stepped up their play against Chelan.

"Give credit to the offensive line," he said. "They had everything working for four quarters. Tanner Freeman had a big, key block. He kept with (his block) and Blair scored."

Freeman said his team is confident at this point in the season.

"It feels great," he said. "We are right on track. We are where we need to be."

The Knights came out of the locker room following halftime fired up, especially the offense.

Members of Royal's offense stood together on the sidelines as the Goats kicked off to start the second half.

The Royal offense was prepared to take the field to start the second half but Collins would not give them the opportunity.

Collins caught the Chelan kick off at the 5 yard line and raced 95 yards for his fourth touchdown of the game and a 34-0 Royal advantage.

The Knights took a 40-0 lead when Angel Ledezma caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Paysse.

Chelan would get on the scoreboard with a touchdown in the third quarter to deny Royal's bid for a shutout.

As the Knights led 40-7 late in the fourth quarter, Christensen scored his second touchdown of the afternoon when he ran 21 yards for Royal's final score.

The Knights will travel to Spokane's Gonzaga Prep High School Saturday where they will take on the Freeman Scotties.

Paysse said the Knights, especially the seniors, know how important this opportunity is.

"I play every game the same way," he said. "I play to win. We are a senior team and we have worked so long for this."

Kick off for Saturday's quarterfinal is scheduled for 4 p.m.