Royal scores early, often in 44-7 win over Zillah

ROYAL CITY - The showdown of unbeatens last Friday at Royal High School lasted all of one play.

Zillah stopped Royal's return of the opening kickoff at the Royal 15-yard line.

But the Knights drove the remaining 85 yards in nine plays to score en route to a 44-7 rout that was complete by half-time, 37-0.

"Our kids came out from the start and attacked the line of scrimmage," coach Wiley Allred said.

The Knights will need that same attitude this Friday when River View comes to town for another showdown of unbeatens. The Panthers are 4-0 and ripped Warden, 43-7, last Friday.

"They've got a lot of speed," Allred said. "We had a good battle with them (42-24 win) last year, and a lot of those guys are back."

The Panthers have a dual-threat sophomore quarterback who figures to give the Royal defense fits. Ruvim Tyutyunnik, who beat out last year's starter, ran for two scores and threw for 170 yards and one touchdown against Warden.

The Knights were so revved up against Zillah that they overcame two penalties on the opening drive. It ended in a one-yard run by quarterback Alex Myrick, but Christian Guerrero provided two key 15-yard pass receptions. The first came on third down and 12.

Myrick had a big night in the expected battle of dual-threat quarterbacks. He passed for 185 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 115 yards and two scores

"He likes to win," Allred said. "He has athletic talent and a calm demeanor. He doesn't get rattled.

Another offensive cog Allred singled out was fullback Damien Delarosa. He got the yardage the team needed when he was handed the ball.

"He got extra yardage after he was hit," Allred said.

Delarosa carried the ball 14 times for 55 yards. He also drew Zillah's attention, which freed Myrick for his 115 rushing yards and Guerrero for 108.

Royal rushed for 298 yards, and Allred gave due credit to his offensive line of Lefler, Carter and Collin Christensen, Uriel Carmona, Johnny Montoya and Tony Mayorga.

"Carter (the center) always finished at the football," Allred said. "He continually looked for blocks down field."

Freshman Jose Ponce was perfect on extra points, hitting 4-of-4.

The other half of the expected quarterback battle never materialized. The Royal defense held Jace McKay to 43 yards passing and 29 rushing, and Zillah's half-time total offense was 37 yards.

Royal poured it on from the start. The first two touchdowns were followed by two-point conversions that made the score 16-0 after one period.

The first was on a pass from Myrick to Kent Christensen. The second, after a 25-yard TD run by Myrick, was a Myrick pass to Brady Dixon.

Meanwhile, the Royal defense was stingy. It was led by defensive end Reed Lefler with 11 tackles, including one for loss. Dixon and Cristian Fernandez had tackles for loss, and Myrick had an interception.

Myrick stepped harder on the gas pedal in the second quarter. He ran the ball in from 34 yards to make the score 23-0.

Delarosa made it 30-0 with a 3-yard run, and Guerrero caught a 22-yard scoring pass before the half.

Zillah came alive after intermission to score on a 10-yard run. But Myrick and Guerrero answered with a 58-yard scoring hook-up, and the teams settled in for mop-up action in the fourth quarter.

Other rushers for Royal were Manny Quintero, 3-15, and Miguel Ayala, 3-5. Kent Christensen completed his lone pass of the night for 30 yards.

Guerrero led the receiving corps with four catches for 125 yards.

Dixon went 3-65, Laddie Goroski 2-25, Tanner Christensen 2-15, and Luis Garcia 1-8.