Flood scores three times as Knights cruise past Eagles

ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights (8-0) took care of business Thursday, dominating the Connell Eagles 60-3.  

"I thought both teams played hard and it was a good physical game," Head Coach Wiley Allred said. "I thought we did well, made some mistakes, but that's typical. The second group went in on defense and played really good, sound defense, and did their jobs well. I thought we were fairly efficient on offense for the most part." 

The Knights offense continued the hot streak they've been on this season, as Grant Wardenaar, Dax Jenks, Fischer Livingston, Jackson Flood and Manny Ruvalcaba combined for 40 first half points. The Eagles were able to add three points to the board before halftime, but it wasn't enough to mount a comeback campaign, as Flood, Jerry Fielding and Brycen Fitzhugh added 20 additional points across the second half to seal the win.  

A key component to an efficient offense is an offensive line winning the battle of physicality at the line of scrimmage. Allred applauded his guys David Baeza-Barrita, Krew Jenks, Juan Jose Oseguera Gonzalez, Orlando Santillan and Leo Bustos Garcia for doing just that.  

"Then we rotate in Ernie Weeks and some other guys, so we feel like we've got a good group," said the coach. "They're strong. They're smart kids, and they're working really hard. They've been able to open up holes for us in most games so far, and we're working real hard on doing a better job of protecting the quarterback, so he doesn't have to run around too much." 

The Knights dominance at the line of scrimmage aided the offense to outgain Connell 340-40 across the run and pass. Royal was relatively balanced in the stat line, with Wardenaar completing 7-of-9 passes for 131 yards and three touchdowns. Fitzhugh was also productive when he came in, completing all four passes for 37 yards and a touchdown.  

On the ground, Flood led the way with 98 yards on eight carries and three scores. Jenks ran for 17 and a score while also catching three passes for 57 yards and another touchdown through the air. Wardenaar at one point helped move the chains on the ground, plowing through a defender along the sideline before going out of bounds. Allred said he doesn't mind his signal caller putting his body on the line every once in a while – as long as he properly calculates the situation.  

"He's smart enough to know who to size up and win," Allred said. "That's Grant, he's a tough kid, and he likes to sometimes exert his strength. He's at least 6'4, 190, and he's a strong young man. He doesn't do that all the time, but yeah, it was fine with me on that one. He can pick and choose as long as he's smart about it." 

The Knights remained defensively sound, too. Santillan and Tyce Christensen each earned a sack while the entire defense combined for 10 tackles for loss. With the havoc being created in the trenches, that created opportunities for Scout Stevenson and Livingston to intercept passes and give the ball back to the offense. 

The Knights' preparation was apparent on the field with several instances where film study paid off. Defensive coordinator Jeremy Scroggins communicated with Stevenson on a play to expect a 10-yard out route, which he then covered well.  

"Jeremy is the best defensive coordinator I think in the state," Allred said. "He does a lot of film study and it's our job to relay that information to the kids because it matters more what the kids know on the field than what we know. He does a great job of that. All the (coaches like) Aaron Christensen and Carter Christensen and the guys on the offensive, defensive lines do the same thing with the kids throughout the game, and that makes a huge difference." 

With the final home game of the regular season in the books, the Knights turn their focus to next Thursday when they travel to College Place at 6 p.m. Allred identified their quarterback and running back as key threats to prepare for as they try to keep the team's mindset in the right place. 

"They were tied up with Connell the week before into the fourth quarter," he said. "We've just got to be ready and try to improve and get guys that their mindset is right to play to our potential." 

BOX SCORE: 

CNNL: 0-3-0-0: 3 

ROYL: 20-20-13-7: 60 

    Dax Jenks (6) slips through multiple Connell defenders on his way into the endzone during Thursday's game
  

    The Knights' Jackson Flood lays a hit on the Connell quarterback during their game Thursday.
  

    Fischer Livingston (12) hauls in a touchdown pass from Grant Wardenaar during their game against Connell.