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GALLERY: Knights capture 2023 state title

IAN BIVONA | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 9 months AGO
by IAN BIVONA
Ian Bivona serves as the Columbia Basin Herald’s sports reporter and is a graduate of Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. He enjoys the behind-the-scenes stories that lead up to the wins and losses of the various sports teams in the Basin. Football is his favorite sport, though he likes them all, and his favorite team is the Jets. He lives in Soap Lake with his cat, Honey. | December 13, 2023 1:00 AM

ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights ended the 2023 season with a perfect 13-0 record, defeating Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) 49-7 in the 1A state championship game at Husky Stadium in Seattle. With the win, Royal claimed its fourth-straight state title and 12th championship in program history.

    Royal senior Case Christensen (9) outruns the Connell defense en route to a 72-yard touchdown catch-and-run against the Eagles.
 
 
    Royal sophomore Ethan Ellis (22) runs behind the Knight offensive line in the state title game against Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls).
 
 
    Royal quarterback Lance Allred (11) rolls out to pass against the Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) defense on Dec. 2 in Seattle.
 
 
    Royal Head Coach Wiley Allred, left, has led the Knights to their 10th state championship since taking over the program in 1999. Royal has won 12 state titles in its program history, including in seven of the past eight seasons.
 
 
    Royal junior Asher Garnick (63) looks to block a Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) defender in the 1A state title game.
 
 
    Royal sophomore Shea Stevenson (23) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the 1A state championship game on Dec. 2 in Seattle.
 
 
    Royal sophomore Rolando Cedillo Martinez (57), senior Juan Morales (50) and senior Bennett Brown (87) line up on the line of scrimmage before a play.
 
 
    Royal players storm onto the field after winning their fourth straight state championship.
 
 
    Royal players smile before being awarded the 1A state championship trophy after defeating Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) 49-7 inside Husky Stadium in Seattle.
 
 
    Royal players hit the field ahead of the 1A state championship game against Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls).
 
 


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