State playoffs a tradition for Royal
On Saturday the Royal Knights (in black and gold) will line up against Chelan at 3 p.m. in a Class 1A first-round state playoff contest. Royal, will aim for its sixth football title this post season.
ROYAL CITY — Some say “tradition never graduates” and it may be applicable to Royal High School football.
The Knights (8-2) open their latest run for Class 1A state supremacy when they travel to Chelan on Saturday for a 3 p.m. first round game.
The five-time champion and semifinalists for eight consecutive years will try to grind out another win this season.
“We just need to stay resilient and minimize our turnovers, if we do that we’ve been pretty good.” Royal coach Wylie Alred said. “This year we haven’t just walked down the field so we need to protect the ball and control it a little bit since we haven’t been as explosive.”
Yet despite the lack of fireworks, the Knights travel to play the Chelan Goats (4-5) having gone 5-0 on the road this season.
“We’ve had to go on the road before and we look forward to the bus rides,” Alred said. “I just think during playoff time you have to play away from home so you better look forward to it.”
Chelan comes into the playoffs following the high of eliminating the defending champions, Cashmere, 21-14 last week to set up a rematch with the Knights, who beat them at the same stage last year, 46-7.
“Royal is an amazing team and the match-up is fun for us to think about, since it’s the next step to having to get to that next level,” Chelan coach Darren Talley said.
Chelan, whose losses have all come against teams in the playoffs, have been buoyed by the emergence of freshman quarterback Michael Amsel.
Alred hopes to counter Chelan’s attack with defenders such as junior middle linebacker Dylan Delay and senior defensive lineman Ernie Garza.
Delay is just starting to get in the groove following three weeks out of action to nurse a sprained ankle.
“Dylan’s got a lot of football knowledge and energy for the game,” Alred said. “He loves the hit and having him back has been big. He’s still recovering but hobbling less every week.”
Alred continues to bring the defensive heat but hopes to avoid giving up big chunks of yardage in the air, which has been a sticking point at times during the season.
Once they get their hands on the pigskin, the Knights will work behind senior quarterback Mark Albertson.
Royal will also try to control the clock with senior running backs Jeremy Edwards and Will Christensen.
If Albertson looks down the field, South Central Athletic Conference 1st-Team All-League senior receiver Ben Singer will be a target he can count on to open things up according to Alred.
Alred is approaching this contest knowing that the Goats are potentially geared up for a much closer contest than the squads’ previous one.
“Their whole offense changed when (Amsel) got playing,” Alred said. “Our focus more than anything is to contain him. Last week he threw for 250 yards and ran for 100 yards. We’re excited to play. We’ve had to earn our victories this year and will have to again.”