Royal to host Connell in top ranked showdown

ROYAL CITY - It will be get-even time when Royal hosts Connell this Friday in a battle for the top of the South Central A Conference East.

After a 49-13 win over Wahluke last Friday, the Knights are 3-0. So are the defending state champ Eagles. The difference is that Royal is 6-0 overall while Connell has lost non-league contests to highly-rated Cle Elum and rugged 2A Othello.

Royal coach Wiley Allred doesn't care. His experiences with Connell since the Eagles joined the SCAC East in 2006 make him wary. His teams have won only twice and lost the last two meetings.

"They are still a good team," Allred said. "They're always tough on defense."

On offense too. The Eagles have lost their all-everything tailback of the last three years. They've replaced him with one who averages 150 yards per game.

"It will be a tough challenge," Allred said.

Last week's game was decided by half-time, when Royal led 42-0. By rule, the second half had a running clock and went by quickly.

Wahluke's first score came on a 62-yard fumble return after Royal reserve quarterback and reserve center fumbled their first snap.

There were few glaring stats to highlight. Cristian Fernandez led all rushers with 36 yards on 18 carries. Wahluke was held to minus-6 yards.

"Neither team ran many plays. It was something like 35," Allred said.

Most of Royal's offense came through the air. Quarterback Alex Myrick completed 10 of 16 passes for 175 yards and four touchdowns. He was intercepted for only the second time this year.

Royal's scoring came on pass receptions of 10, 40 and 15 yards by Christian Guerrero, a 29-yard pass reception by Brady Dixon, a one-yard run by Damien Delarosa, a two-yard run by Cristian Fernandez and a 15-yard fumble return by Kent Christensen.

The fumble was one of two caused by Dixon, who led the defense with six tackles. Marcos Morales had four tackles and four assists, and 6-1, 190 sophomore tackle Teddy Mead had four tackles.