Royal scores road win against Columbia (Burbank)

BURBANK - The Royal Knights rolled into Burbank Friday night and spoiled the Coyotes' homecoming celebration with a 55-6 prep football dismantling.

Similar to the Wahluke game earlier this season, the Knights weathered the adrenaline of the Coyotes early in the game, resulting in a scoreless first quarter.

It took just three plays into the second quarter for the Knights to seize control.

After Carson Gilbert recorded his fourth interception of the season to stave off a 12-play opening drive by Columbia, Royal took to the air with completions to Joe Lang and Jose Ponce to push the ball into Coyote territory.

The Royal staff then called on Miguel Ayala, who ran over a Coyote linebacker to turn a basic middle run into a 31-yard touchdown scamper. It was the first of three second quarter rushing touchdowns for the Knights.

Down 21-0 to start the second half, the Coyotes were set to receive the kickoff and likely thought they could turn the tide.

The Knights had other plans.

Kicker Cesar Bernal popped the kickoff high in the air aimed at the left hash marks near the 30-yard line. Before Columbia could react to field the short kick, Royal's Steven Toro beat the Coyotes to the spot and picked up the ball on a bounce to secure the possession before stepping out of bounds.

It took the Knights just three plays to capitalize when Darrin Miller scored his second of three touchdowns from eight yards out.

Often football is a game of patterns. On the ensuing kickoff, Bernal again lofted the kick high in the air, this time toward the right hash marks.

Knights and Coyotes converged on the bouncing football. When the pile of bodies was sorted, Royal's Sawyer Stakkeland cradled the ball in his arms.

With another short field scenario, Royal again needed just three plays to score. This time Jose Ponce was the beneficiary with a 22-yard touchdown reception to give the Knights 14 points in just over one minute.

The Coyotes finally put their first points on the board on an 11-play drive that covered 79 yards. Joe Lang then fielded a short kickoff at the Royal 23 and raced up the left sideline before being knocked out of bounds at the 45.

Two plays later Ayala took a handoff to the right of the formation but found little space. He cut back to the left, calmly switched the ball from right hand to left, and stiff-armed two Coyote defenders to the ground on his way to a 58-yard touchdown along the left boundary.

An all-run four play drive capped off by a four yard scoring run by Miller late in the third quarter pushed the lead to 48-6 and initiated the running clock.

Desperate to close the gap, the Coyote quarterback heaved the ball to his intended receiver deep along the left sideline. Ponce had perfect inside position and came down with an interception at the 10.

Ponce worked his way across the field and followed Joe Lang up the opposite sideline before running out of gas at the five for an 85-yard return.

On the next play sophomore Daniel Cuevas completed the scoring for the Knights on a left toss with a perfect lead block by tight end Gerard Weyns for a 55-6. Weyns played an inspired (i.e. possessed) defensive game for the Knights.

"Not only did Weyns play great, he also directs the defensive huddle like a coach on the field," defensive coordinator Jeremy Scroggins said.

Ayala, Ponce and Gilbert each recorded an interception. The Royal defense limited the Coyotes to just four of eleven third down conversions and eight total first downs.

Ayala finished with 126 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries. Miller matched with three touchdowns on 13 carries.

Quarterback Kaden Jenks passed for 132 yards. He completed five passes to Ponce for 92 yards and a touchdown. Lang logged three catches for 41 yards.

With the SCAC-East title secure and league play over, Royal will travel again this Friday to play the Cascade Kodiaks of Leavenworth. Cascade will be riding the momentum of an upset victory over the third-ranked Cashmere Bulldogs last Friday.

The win guaranteed the Kodiaks the Caribou Trail League's sole playoff berth and eliminated Cashmere from post-season play. The Knights will look to outpace the Kodiaks in what could be a preview to a later playoff matchup.