Royal Knights loaded for new gridiron campaign

ROYAL CITY - The fact that the Royal High School Knights return 78 percent of their scoring from last season serves as evidence of depth and experience heading into the 2014 season.

Back in the offensive huddle are the top four rushers from last year. They accounted for 90 percent of the rushing touchdowns.

Senior Miguel Ayala and junior Darren Miller combined for 15 rushing touchdowns last season. They come into 2014 widely regarded as one of the best backfield tandems in the 1A classification.

Senior Gerard Weyns will lead the way at fullback and will do a lot of the dirty work in third and short situations with the ball in his hands. Sophomore speed merchant Daniel Cuevas will provide change of pace with his potential to electrify at every touch.

Directing the offense at quarterback will be returning sophomore starter Kaden Jenks. Jenks took over at mid-season last year and developed steadily throughout. Expect a quantum leap this season.

"Even as a freshman, throwing velocity was never in question," head coach Wiley Allred said. "He has worked really hard at camp and during the offseason at making quicker decisions and better reads. His touch and accuracy on deeper throws are also noticeably improved."

Jenks will see familiar targets in the junior trio of Jose Ponce, Joe Lang, and Sam Christensen. Ponce is the most experienced of the group with four receiving touchdowns last season.

Deep threat Lang averaged more than 18 yards per catch. He could improve on that with his state caliber long jumping and hurdling talent.

If there is a question mark coming into the season it may be the offensive line. The coaching staff must replace the three interior starters.

The likely choice at center will be senior Carter Christensen. Tony Mercado, Hunter Follett and Salvador Cavazos are among those battling for the remaining spots.

"While I don't think we are there completely, we have definitely evolved throughout the summer," returning starting tackle Teddy Mead said. "We know it is going to be on us this year if we are going to meet our team goals because all of the other necessary pieces are already in place."

Fellow returning starting tackle Payten Stakkeland will anchor the opposite edge. Expect Kai Jenks, Jacob Lee, and Sawyer Stakkeland to contribute offensively as well.

On defense, the stable of running backs becomes a cagey and physical linebacking corps. Middle linebacker Gerard Weyns led the squad last year with 81 tackles and five tackles-for-loss.

At cornerback, look for returning starter Joe Lang to have a "Sherman-esque" campaign. Overall, the defense will be as deep and experienced as the offense, which will allow the Knights to stalk opposing offenses with aggression and confidence.

While the Knights may be league favorites in the SCAC East, they will have to earn any success they attain. Their schedule will ensure that.

After opening with two consecutive non-league home games against Ephrata (Sept. 5) and Naches Valley (Sept. 12), three of the next four will be away games at Connell, Cashmere, and River View, all of which have strong playoff traditions.

"We look forward to it," Allred said. "We see it as a great opportunity."

This anytime-anywhere attitude seems to be a pervasive mindset throughout the program. Expect the Knights to make a deep playoff run while accomplishing most, if not all, of their goals.