I attended the Royal-Wahluke high school football game Friday night, and I am convinced there is not a 45-point difference between the two programs.

I am sure that Royal will be in the state class A playoffs, maybe even play for the state title. I'm just as sure the Warriors can join the Knights at state.

At least that's what I'd like to see. Not because I favor the Warriors over the Knights but because I favor both schools equally.

Royal and Wahluke are my schools. I want both to be successful in all sports. It was an absolute joy last spring to report on the boys soccer rivalry as Wahluke and Royal proved to have the top two clubs in the state.

Getting to the football playoffs will be a longer road for Wahluke, but it's doable. With a win at home this Friday against Riverview, the Warriors would set the tone for the remainder of the regular season.

The 57-12 loss last Friday could mean Wahluke is not ready to run with the big dogs. I choose to differ. I look at the two brilliant offensive drives in the first half and say the Warriors are ready.

The most important point is that it's Wahluke's choice. The rest of the season will depend on what the Warriors believe.

What happened in the second half Friday is what often happens between teams with a state playoff tradition and those without. As first-year Wahluke coach Brycen Bye works to build one, he will encounter these big bumps. The trick is to overcome.

Riverview is beatable. A lot is going to depend on Wahluke's emotional state this Friday. The question is whether the Warriors will shake off last Friday and charge ahead.

With a win over Riverview, the Warriors will be in good position for a playoff run, whether or not they beat Connell next week. And Connell is not out of the question.

It all depends on which Warrior team shows up, the one that slugged it out with Royal for a half or the one that didn't sustain its best game.

I've stood on the sidelines with Royal and Wahluke. Talent, size and speed are about equal. Wahluke may even be bigger and faster.

Wahluke came into last Friday's game with a truckload of confidence after its 28-point comeback win the previous week. It tore through Royal's defense on the first offensive series of the game and scored in two minutes.

Only good football teams do something like that to Royal.

After Royal made the score 21-6, it appeared the Knights were about to run away. But Wahluke found new determination, took the ball away and drove 84 yards to a score that kept the game a contest.

The drives that opened the game and closed the half last Friday demonstrated what Wahluke is capable of doing. All the Warriors need now is to keep doing it, more and more, against every opponent, starting this Friday.