Football roundup: Royal throttles Goldendale
Emry Dinman/Columbia Basin Herald Royal’s defense intercepts Goldendale Friday at home.
Emry Dinman/Sun Tribune Royal kicks off during its playoff game against Goldendale.
Emry Dinman/Sun Tribune Tyler Allred carries the ball for Royal against Goldendale.
Emry Dinman/Sun Tribune A Royal ballcarrier breaks through the Goldendale defense.
Knights awarded No. 1 seed
By TRIBUNE SPORTS STAFF
ROYAL CITY — Derek Bergeson ran the opening kickoff back 77 yards, hinting at what was to come for the rest of the game.
Royal led 69-0 at halftime and dispatched South Central Athletic Conference West No. 4 seed Goldendale 82-3. The win qualified Royal for the Class 1A State Tournament; the Knights are the No. 1 seed and will likely host 16-seed Charles Wright Academy.
Royal was as dominant as it could be, running only 31 offensive plays while scoring 12 touchdowns.
Scoring came from all three phases. As if the offense needed much help.
There was Bergeson’s kickoff return on special teams, a 13-yard fumble return by Jose Medina and a 30-yard interception return by Diego Santillan on defense.
Offensively, Royal maintained balance between the run and the pass, totaling 293 yards with only one more rushing yard than passing yard. The yardage totals weren’t gaudy; however, five different Knights scored on the ground. Lorenzo Myrick, Kaleb Hernandez, Elliot Delay, Aldo Farias and Eric Myrick rushed for touchdowns.
Quarterback Caleb Christensen attempted only six passes, three for touchdowns. Lorenzo Myrick caught two first-quarter touchdowns from Christensen and Carter Dorsing caught the other, also in the first quarter.
Defensively, Goldendale rushed for negative five yards and managed only 59 passing yards.
Royal hosts Charles Wright Academy Friday at 7 p.m. With a win, Royal could possibly meet No. 9 seed Colville in the quarterfinals. Colville defeated Royal in the state semifinals last season.
Zillah 49, Warden 0
ZILLAH — Warden was eliminated from the postseason after a 49-0 loss at Zillah in a district crossover game.
The Cougars had trouble slowing down Clay Delp. The Leopards’ star rushed for two touchdows and threw two more.
Warden kept the game close after one quarter, only trailing 7-0, until Zillah erupted for 21 points in the second quarter.
Othello 17, Pullman 3
PULLMAN — Othello held Pullman scoreless in the second half and clinched a berth into the 2A State Tournament with a 17-3 win.
Logan Hollenbeck and Steven Ochoa scored rushing touchdowns of 4 and 33 yards, respectively. Andrew Velasquez added a 30-yard field goal.
The No. 14 seed Huskies will likely be on the road to face third-seeded Lynden in the first round.
Grandview 17, Wahluke 6
GRANDVIEW — Wahluke ended its season with a loss at Grandview 17-6.