Royal named football dynasty

Royal Knights Football

by Rick Follett & Rhs Athletic Director
| September 29, 2013 6:00 AM

Royal High School Football was listed recently as one of the Top 15 high school football dynasties of Washington State by MaxPreps. Royal was the only 1A school to be recognized.

This list was based on the strength of schedule, wins and state titles since 2003. There is probably no doubt in the minds of Royal fans that Royal football is a dynasty. The truth is the Royal dynasty goes much further back than 2003.

Royal has been league champion 22 times since 1964. Royal's first playoff appearance was in 1975, followed by playoff appearances in 1981, 1982, 1985, and 1986.

Since 1990, Royal has made the playoffs every year. Since 1975, Royal has made 27 appearances in the first round of the playoffs, 16 quarter final appearances, 13 semifinal appearances and eight appearances in the state finals.

Royal won the State Championship in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2005, and 2007 and played for it last year.

Since 1990, Royal has a record of 244 wins and 33 loses. That is an .881 winning percentage. In coach Wiley Allred's tenure, the record is 158 wins and 20 loses, or .887. His teams have also won four state championships.

Based on all of this, it's easy to argue that our No. 15 ranking may be incorrect.

Royal football has a great tradition of being successful. That tradition includes the coaching staff.

In the entire history of Royal football, there have only been four head coaches; Dan Verhey Sr. (1964-67), Bob Nielsen (1968-83), Jim Hill (1984-88), Bob Nielsen (1989-98), and Wiley Allred (1999-present).

Each coach served as an assistant to the previous head coach. Coach Allred is a product of Royal football and played for Coach Nielsen.

Success at any level does not come easy. It takes the hard work and dedication of the athletes, coaches, parents, and community.

In every win and loss, Royal players always demonstrate the sportsmanship, gratitude, desire and drive of champions. We can be proud of our current, past, and future teams.

They always represent Royal well. Royal football has exceeded the status of dynasty to become an empire.