Royal not down as much as opponents may think

ROYAL CITY - Royal High School has only two returning offensive starters and one defensive starter this fall, and opponents in the South Central A Conference East should be licking their chops.

But they may be doing so at their own peril. Royal also returns a tradition of winning and a coaching staff that is as organized as any college program.

"These kids have been waiting for their chance for two or three years," coach Wiley Allred said. "They are excited about getting their chance to show what they can do."

"These boys are eager to get the opportunity to play for Royal Football," he added. "I have been very pleased with their attitude and effort level."

Still, Allred himself looks elsewhere for a pre-season favorite. He points to River View and Connell.

"All the teams in our league have many returning starters and will be improved," he said.

There have been 60 or more boys in camp every day this fall. Allred expects that number to jump to 75 when school starts. And based on the looks of things in practice so far, these boys are big, fast and well-coached.

The fact that Royal returns few starters does not mean the team is devoid of experience. Several of the returning players played last year in a regular rotation.

If there is a big question mark, it will be at quarterback. This will be the first year in four that Royal has not had Alex Myrick. He has graduated to college football.

Two boys given the best chance of taking over for Myrick are 6-1, 180 senior Carter Allred and 6-1, 165 junior Chase Christensen. Neither has the nimbleness of Myrick, but they have speed and can pass the football. Their contest has been a dead heat.

The Knights will have two games in which to figure things out. They will open against Cascade at home on Sept. 6 and travel to Quincy on Sept. 13.

The running back situation is a good example of having experience without starters. Senior Manny Quintero and juniors Miguel Ayala and Gerard Weyns all played last year. Sophomore Darren Miller will join that group.

At wide receiver there is experience in seniors Luis Garcia, Oscar Ramirez and Tanner Christensen. Sophomore Jose Ponce, who was the placekicker last year, will join that group.

Garcia and Ponce are 5-6 and 5-4. But they have speed to burn and good pass-catching hands.

The tight end position will be held down by junior Teddy Mead and senior Emilio Bustos. Both played last year.

The offensive line will be anchored by 5-8, 235 Collin Christensen. He is the strongest player on the team and should sweep all kinds of all-league honors.

There is additional experience in the offensive line in senior Johnny Montoya. He is 5-11, 210 and highly motivated.

"He's a great leader," Allred said.