Offense or Defense? Royal is a balanced team

Speaking with Royal football coach Wiley Allred in August about a pre-season story on his team, the final question was about which he thought would be stronger, the offense or the defense.

Wiley thought about it a moment, then said: “I don’t know.”

The answer came Saturday night. In early play, the offense couldn’t get out of its own end of the field. The defense took charge and held Connell scoreless even after the offense exploded.

In the first 12 games, the offense took control early and scored so often that the games were ended by half-time. This time the defense had to take control or the game could have gotten away.

That’s where linebackers Valente Cortez and Andy Villafana came in. They are like twins on the field. Both are seniors, both are 5-8 and, at 198, Valente weighs only four pounds more than Andy.

Valente and Andy have been mentioned throughout the year but, most of the time, in the statistical listings. This time they were able to get a headline, like quarterbacks, tailbacks and receivers most often do.

Valente and Andy led the Knights defense all night. Valente had seven tackles and four assists, and two of his tackles were for loss. Andy turned in three tackles and two assists, and he had one tackle for loss.

Valente was named to the SCAC East all-league second defense after the regular season. He should have been placed on the first team. He was the tackling leader all year on the best defense in the state.

The Connell defense, which Royal ripped Saturday, dominated the all-league first defensive team. I’m guessing Valente was motivated more than usual for the game Saturday.

As I drove to Moses Lake, I wondered how the game would start or what the story would be. I knew it would not be a loss.

This Royal team is highly skilled and highly motivated. The Knights come out of the locker room every time ready to take charge.

Saturday’s game worked out about the way I envisioned. Except that I expected Royal’s first score in the first five minutes.

The 47-7 score was not a surprise. Connell had improved, but there was sense that Connell coaches and players didn’t realize that, since the regular season meeting, Royal had gone from steamroller to juggernaut.

The cool thing about Saturday’s effort was that Royal’s defense was ready to take control of the game when the offense was stymied.

All of the defenders were in on the action, and the Eagles never moved the ball effectively. They were held to 52 rushing yards.

Now we know why Wiley couldn’t answer that question back in August. This is one balanced football team, between offense and defense and between passing and running,

As long as the Knights play their best, they are the best.