Shock and awe down Zillah, 40-7

ROYAL CITY – First there was shock. Then there was awe. And then there was a gracious ending.

The Royal Knights defeated a good Zillah team in high school football at Zillah Friday, 40-7. The outcome was in doubt for about half of the first period.

The first time Royal possessed the ball, it shocked the Leopards. Backup quarterback Juan Niebla passed to wide open Corbin Christensen for a 70-yard score.

Jenks handed the ball to Niebla, playing receiver, on what looked like a jet sweep. Niebla stopped at the corner and threw his shocking pass to the left sideline, and Christensen streaked to the end zone.

After Zillah scored to take a 7-6 lead, the Knights went right back to work. Jenks threw an awe-inspiring strike to the streaking Christensen’s fingertips at about the 20-yard line on the right side for a 46-yard score.

That was it for Zillah. As Knight spirits soared, Leopard spirits sagged. The score was 27-7 at the half and 40-7 before the end of three periods. Coach Wiley Allred had his boys practice their running game in the fourth period.

The rest of the scoring was Alonzo Hernandez, 7-yard run; Jenks, 1-yard run; Alonzo Hernandez, 8-yard run; and Adrian Trinidad, 6-yard pass from Jenks.

Jenks was brilliant again, connecting on 17 of 22 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions. It was a 77 percent completion rate. Jenks was 9-10 in the first half.

Meanwhile, the Knights found a player who can carry the rushing load. Alonzo Hernandez, a 5-10,185 sophomore, zipped and bulled his way to 80 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries. He was a key piece of the action all night.

Royal outgained Zillah, 412-220 yards, passing for 285 yards on 18-23 passing. Yovani Cruz rushed for 24 yards, and C.J. Quintero added 18.

Christensen led all receivers with seven catches for 160 yards. Adrian Trinidad and Niebla caught four passes each for 66 and 36 yards respectively. Juan Ojeda, Isaac Ellis and Alonzo Hernandez caught one pass each. Ojeda had one kickoff return of 47 yards.

From his linebacker post, Alonzo Hernandez made six tackles and assisted on four others. Christensen had five and one, and Juan Garcia had four and four. Participating in multiple tackles were Elis, Sawyer Stakkeland, Juan Hernandez, Quintero and Jenks. Several others were in on single tackles.

Now the Knights turn to SCAC East league action. They will host Warden this Friday and College Place next week.

“We will focus on getting better and trusting each other more each day and week. More tough opponents out there,” Allred said.