ROYAL CITY - If Royal High School is to win a football state title again, this year presents as good an opportunity as any. The Knights have talent and plenty of experience.

Each of this year's starters was a starter or a regular on the team that made it to the final-8 last year. Chief among them is a quarterback who has started since his sophomore year.

Senior Alex Myrick is only 5-7, but he's a stout 175 pounds. He dishes out as much punishment on the run as he takes. And he has a knack for knowing where his passing lanes will be.

Myrick accounted for more than 2,500 yards and 37 touchdowns last year. He completed 132 of 222 passes for 1,831 yards and 22 scores and added 727 yards and 15 scores rushing. He led the team in scoring with 90 points.

Myrick will have a lot of experience in his ball carriers. Christian Guerrero, a 5-11, 180 pound senior, will be the tailback, and 6-0, 205 pound Damien Delarosa will be the fullback.

Guerrero ran the ball 28 times last year for 162 yards and caught 27 passes for 352 yards and scored nine times. Delarosa rushed 66 times for 509 yards and caught 16 passes for 223 yards and scored eight times.

Another experienced offensive weapon is 6-2, 185 pound tight end Brady Dixon. He caught 17 passes for 309 yards and scored 11 times.

Where the Knights won't be as experienced as last year is at wide receiver. Danny Vermeer graduated with his 32 receptions. Guerrero is at running back.

The two boys coach Wiley Allred expects to do most of the downfield receiving are Laddie Goroski and Jake Janett, both 5-11, 165 pounds.

The interior line has five boys who were regulars last year. They are anchored by 5-7, 240 pound center Collin Christensen.

The guards will be 5-11, 210 Johnny Montoya and 6-0, 210 Carter Christensen. Reed Lefler, 6-4, 185, and Uriel Carmona, 5-10, 185, will be the tackles.

On defense, Lefler and 6-3, 215 pound Kent Christensen will hold down the end spots. The tackles will be Carter Christensen and 6-1, 205 pound Cristian Fernandez.

The linebacking corps will be made up of Dixon, Carmona and 5-7, 175 pound Marcos Morales. Guerrero, Myrick, Goroski and Janett will patrol the secondary.

Others who will play regularly are juniors Emilio Bustos at defensive end, Tony Mayorga at guard and Manny Quintero at linebacker and running back.

As usual, Allred has scheduled some good non-league tests. The Knights will open on Aug. 31 at Cascade of Leavenworth. The Kodiaks are often one of the better 1A programs in the state.

The home opener will be on Sept. 7 with Quincy. The Jackrabbits are a good 2A program.

The third non-league game will be at home on Sept. 21 with Zillah. The Leopards are often one the tougher SCAC West programs.

The SCAC East league opener will be on Sept. 14 at Warden. The Cougars were a state caliber 2B program last year.

Despite the addition of Warden, the SCAC East is still a seven team league. Mabton has moved down to 2B.

The Knights are the league favorites this year, but Allred sees no easy road. He's certain Connell will be tough again. The big annual clash with the Eagles will be at Royal this year.

Another team Allred believes will be a factor this year is Riverview. The Panthers are returning several talented and experienced players. They will visit Royal on Sept. 28.