ROYAL CITY — The reigning 1A State Champions, the Royal Knights, are looking to continue their winning ways as the 2025 football season nears. Head Coach Wiley Allred said he wants his team always to feel challenged.  

“We take nothing for granted, and we've three returning starters on each side of the ball,” Allred said. “We've got a lot of new faces. They're learning, and they're going to grow all year, and we hope they improve as we go ... I think they're expecting to do well, but we take nothing for granted. It's always a challenge.” 

The Knights’ winning culture comes from intentional effort to improve during and outside of the regular season. Allred said his players spend a lot of time in the off-season preparing in the weight room.  

“We get a good group going into football camp, and we try to utilize their time as best we can," he said. “We're not spending a lot of extra time, but the time we spend, we try to make it worthwhile."  

According to Allred, there will be a lot of new faces on the field this year. Just about every position will have a new starter; for example, the linebacker room will have four new players stepping into bigger roles this season. He said it’s important to help those players with the physical abilities find the experience and confidence so they can develop quickly.  

The Knights will have two veteran linemen returning this season to shore up the trenches: Rolando Cedillo, who plays guard and defensive tackle, and Abel Garcia, who plays center and defensive tackle.  

Allred also said the receiver room has all the tools they need to be a productive group this year. Shea Stevenson, Anderson Brown, Bryan Larsen and Fischer Livingston make up the Knights’ receiving core this season.  

Leading the offense at quarterback this season is junior Grant Wardenaar. He’s optimistic about the Knights’ potential this season.  

“I feel great about what we can accomplish this year. I feel like we have a good team, and we're able to make a good run at state,” Wardenaar said.  

Wardenaar also played defensive back last year, according to Allred. He logged seven interceptions, five of which came in the last three games of the season last year. Allred said his experience playing in big moments on the defensive side of the ball will help him be ready to lead the Knights at quarterback.  

“I think that anytime you've been able to get prepared for playoff games and state championship games and excelled in them, then it should make him feel like he belongs,” Allred said.  

After the first few practices, Stevenson said he was feeling good about the upcoming season. Going into his senior season, he is confident he and the Knights will go on another run for a state title. He said he also does not feel any additional pressures being a part of a winning program.  

“I don't think there's much pressure. I feel like it's kind of just another year, just another season, how it plays out, is how it plays out. But I don't think there's much pressure,” Stevenson said.  

Stevenson feels confident in the Knights’ identity. Not one that feels entitled to championships, but one that is willing to do whatever it takes to get an opportunity.  

“We're a hard-working team, we pay attention to the little details, and we give it our all,” he said.  

The Knights open their season at home against Kiona-Benton on Sept. 5, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. 

    A Knights coach, right, directs his players through formation drills. Head Coach Wiley Allred said the Knights will have a lot of new faces on the field this season.
  

    Knights receiver Shea Stevenson hauls in a pass during a practice. Stevenson said he is confident in his teammates' potential to make another run at a state title this season.
  

    A Knights lineman lines up for drills during practice. The Knights return two linemen this year in Rolando Cedillo and Abel Garcia.
  

    The Royal Knights celebrate while receiving the 1A state championship trophy after defeating Seton Catholic 61-28 last season in Seattle.
  

    Royal junior Shea Stevenson hauls in a pass during a session of plays against the Ephrata defense.