Royal Knights and the wind blow away Burbank, 42-6

ROYAL CITY - Royal High School and a strong wind spoiled what was expected to be a good football game for Burbank last Friday night.

Taking the wind in the first quarter, Royal (2-1 over all) stuffed Burbank's offense early and often to win 42-6. The game was really decided by half-time, 42-0, with the Coyotes (2-1) scoring against Royal reserves in the fourth period.

"We played good defense, and we had the wind at our backs," coach Wiley Allred said.

That combination served to stop hot-throwing Coyote quarterback Heath Lawrence. He completed only seven of 23 pass attempts for 55 yards and was intercepted twice. Burbank was held to 100 total yards.

The game turned to disaster immediately for the Coyotes. They got the ball first, were stopped and had to punt. Royal got a tackle for loss on first down from Cristian Fernandez and a sack from Fernandez on third down.

Taking over at the Burbank 36, Royal scored in two plays. Running back Alex Ramirez carried for 22 yards and quarterback Alex Myrick covered the final 14.

Burbank was stuffed by the Royal defense again on its second possession and, this time, had its punt blocked. In one play, Royal scored on a 15-yard toss sweep by Ramirez. Key blocks were delivered by wide receiver Danny Vermeer and pulling tackle Uriel Carmona.

Royal drove to the 10 after Burbank's third punt but did not score. However, the Knights converted Burbank's fourth punt into a touchdown. That drive, from the Coyote 41, featured five plays and a 9-yard scoring run by Ramirez.

Although Royal gave up the wind in the second quarter, Burbank was defeated. Ramirez scored again from 19 yards, Ricky Ramirez scored on a 30-yard interception return, and Myrick scored from 14 yards.

Royal rolled to 388 total yards, 262 on the ground. Limited by the wind, Myrick completed seven of 15 passes for 80 yards.

The rushing was led by Ramirez. He had 145 yards on 11 carries. Playing his first game, sophomore Jose Rojas added 60 yards, including a 40-yard dash.

Myrick rushed for 46 yards on 11 carries, Christian Guerrero had 30 on five carries, Damien DeLaRosa had 16 on five carries and Mario Coria had 11 on two carries.

DeLaRosa and Alex Ramirez caught two passes each, and Johnny Villanueva, Guerrero and Vermeer had one catch each.

Place kicker Jose Gaxiola had a perfect night, kicking six of six extra points.

Defensively, Fernandez had a solid night. In addition to the sack and tackle for loss, he had three other tackles. Playing linebacker, Brady Dixon had two tackles for loss and four tackles. Defensive back Villanueva broke up two Burbank pass plays.

Royal, 1-0, continues the SCAC East season at Mabton this Friday. The Vikings (0-1, 0-3) are really struggling, losing 52-7 to Granger and 39-7 to Wahluke in their last two games.

This could be a game in which the Knights work in reserves to give them varsity experience.