ROYAL CITY — Deep playoff runs are nothing new for the Royal Knights, who have finished atop the 1A classification in seven of the previous eight state tournaments, including each of the previous four seasons.

With a strong corps of returning players, the Knights are seeking yet another state championship in 2024. 

“It’s a fun group of kids,” head coach Wiley Allred said. “They’re definitely capable of doing some really good things this year.” 

Among the returning players this season is senior quarterback Lance Allred, the 2023 South Central Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year who amassed nearly 3,800 yards of total offense and 55 touchdowns in his first year under center, having converted from a wide receiver to quarterback after the 2022 season. 

“There were a lot of challenges to overcome as the starting quarterback, but this year I’m more comfortable,” Lance Allred said. “We finished last year really well, so we’ve been carrying that on.” 

Of Royal’s eight seniors on the 2023 roster six were significant contributors on both sides of the football, with Caden Allred, Case Christensen, Jared Lee, Juan Morales, Noel Alatorre and Bennett Brown all leaving starting spots up for grabs.  

At the skill positions, Wiley Allred noted seniors Jackson Larsen, Santana Luna, Caden Fitzhugh, Ezra Jenks and Nathan Niebla as players stepping into more significant roles this fall. 

“We had a really deep roster last year, so those guys already had a little bit of experience,” Lance Allred said. 

On the line of scrimmage, seniors Eliezer Vivar and Tristen Trombley will step into the spots left behind by Morales and Alatorre. 

“It’s definitely a good bond between all of us,” said Asher Garnick, a returning starter on the offensive and defensive lines. “Three seniors, two juniors — we've all basically grown up in this town together. We’ve known each other since Grid Kids, middle school. We’ve played football with each other since third grade, it builds a level of trust.” 

Allred’s a dual-threat quarterback; in last season’s 49-7 win over Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) in the state title game, the then-junior completed 12-of-16 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns, adding 169 rushing yards and three more scores on 23 carries. 

With a mobile quarterback under center, it can lead to plays where Allred scrambles out of pressure to find a receiver down the field –— or tuck it and take it himself. 

“It’s being able to not really tell where he’s going, but we’re predicting where he’s going,” Trombley said. “Have an open mind that he might run out and we’ve got to protect for him.” 

Building up confidence in new starters is key during preseason practices. 

“The confidence level is fun to watch, and that’s what we’re trying to build, is a lot of confidence in these kids,” Wiley Allred said. 

There are plenty of changes coming to the SCAC this year because of the 2024-28 classification cycle; the league formerly was split into East and West divisions and will now merge after Toppenish and La Salle both saw their classifications change. In addition, Cashmere joins the conference after previously competing in the Caribou Trail League. 

The new-look league means the Knights will play in nine conference games this fall. 

“To start off right off the bat on a league schedule means you’ve got to be ready right from the get-go,” Wiley Allred said. “Hopefully we’ll still have some ability to get some guys in the mix and continue to evaluate personnel and positions, but we don’t have a lot of time to get that done either.” 

Over Royal’s current streak of four straight state titles, playing complementary football has been a common theme; while the offense is able to move up and down the field, Royal’s defense has continued to stymie its opponents on the gridiron.  

In 2019, the Knights limited their opponents to 4.9 points per game; it was 3.4 points per game in 2021 and 7.1 points per game in 2022. Last year, Royal held opposing teams to 4.2 points per game.  

The Knights also intercepted a program-best 29 passes last fall. A successful defense starts up front with the defensive line. 

“We have to be able to stand our ground, not be pushed back and can’t lose yards,” Garnick said. “We have to be able to push to stop that inside run game, and we’re able to rely on the rest of the players to get the rest of the jobs (done).” 

The Royal football program has achieved plenty of success in its 60-year history, having won its 12th championship at Husky Stadium last year; how does a team that has won each of the past four and seven of the past eight 1A titles fight for more, you might ask? 

“It’s a balancing act between keeping kids confident and hungry,” Wiley Allred said. “I think our kids understand that they have to keep working hard to get better, and not focusing on any other team or any other person, even on their own team. Focusing on themselves and ways that they can get better.” 

Larsen putting together a successful season comes down to following the leadership of Royal’s experienced coaching staff. 

“Listen to what our coaches tell us,” Larsen said. “Our coaching staff is awesome — they've gone through pretty much all of it. And doing what we can do to the best of our ability as players.” 

Royal opens the 2024 season on the road against Kiona-Benton on Sept. 6. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. 

Royal Football Schedule 

Sept. 6 – at Kiona-Benton – 7 p.m. 

Sept. 13 – vs College Place – 7 p.m. 

Sept. 21 – at Connell – 7 p.m. 

Sept. 27 – vs Zillah – 7 p.m. 

Oct. 4 – at Cashmere – 7 p.m. 

Oct. 11 – vs Prosser – 7 p.m. 

Oct. 18 – at Wahluke – 7 p.m. 

Oct. 25 – vs Naches Valley – 7 p.m. 

Nov. 1 – at Wapato – 7 p.m. 

    A Royal defensive back breaks up a pass during practice on August 23 in Royal City.
  

    Royal senior Lance Allred made the move from receiver to quarterback last season, while also starting at linebacker. Allred said he’s “more confident” under center this season.
  

    Royal defenders participate in a pursuit drill during practice on August 23.