ROYAL CITY — The first-seeded Royal Knights (12-0) defeated fourth-seeded Lynden Christian Lyncs 61-35 in the semifinals of the 1A state football tournament. Senior Brody Bishop expressed his excitement to play in the state championship game next weekend.   

“I just love being a part of this team. It's a crazy feeling. Going back to Husky Stadium means a lot,” Bishop said.   

The Knights came out of the first quarter with a two-point lead over Lynden Christian. However, after a few turnovers in the second quarter, they expanded their lead to 34-20 by halftime.   

Royal held Lynden Christian scoreless in the third quarter while they put up two more touchdowns. In the fourth, they added 13 more points to reach 61 on the day, while Lynden Christian finished their season strong with 15 points in the final minutes. With their win in the semifinal, the Knights are set to play in the 1A state football championship game.   

“Feels like where we should be,” head coach Wiley Allred said. “It feels good. That was a tough team we just played, so it's an awesome feeling.”  

The first quarter showed early signs of a tough fight on the gridiron. The Knights got on the scoreboard first to take a 7-0 lead, but the Lyncs were swift in their response. They found the endzone for their first score of the game to cut the deficit to 7-6. Royal’s offensive line won a lot of their matchups, which allowed running back Dax Jenks to move the ball downfield on several occasions.    

As they were knocking on the door of the endzone in that same quarter, quarterback Grant Wardenaar carried the ball himself for the Knights' second touchdown of the game. However, Lynden Christian responded after setting themselves up nicely on a big pass gain. Shortly after, they scored a 15-yard touchdown run but could not convert the extra points; the Knights led 14-12 heading into the second quarter.   

In the second quarter, the Knights took control of the game’s momentum. On defense, Bishop created multiple turnovers, including an interception anda fumble. In addition to his big plays with the ball in his hands, he was also a consistent thorn in the side of the Lyncs quarterback by creating pressure through the pass rush.   

“I just like to play with a lot of intensity; I've just always loved defense growing up and I just try to play with as much intensity as possible. It's my last year, so I might as well give it everything (I have) on the field,” Bishop said.   

Bishop’s big plays set up Royal on offense to score quickly. Jenks punched the ball into the endzone twice on rushing touchdowns, while Wardenaar also got into the endzone once again on a tush push play. Lynden Christian strung together a scoring drive with under two minutes to go in the half to cut the Knights' lead to 34-20 at the break.   

Royal started the second half with the ball and managed to slow the pace down by running the ball. However, they found themselves on third down, and it was a clear passing situation since they needed more than five yards to go.   

As Wardenaar looked downfield for pass options, the pocket began to collapse, and defensive pressure was closing down on him. As he was being tackled, he remained composed enough to pitch the ball over to Jenk,s who earned a first down. On the next play, Anderson Brown caught a pass from Wardenaar and took it for a 25-yard touchdown.

“Coach always just tells me, ‘Be yourself,’ so I just always try to be myself and not get too riled up, because then when you get riled up, if you make (a mistake), it just kind of throws you off,” Wardenaar said.   

After a fourth-down stop on defense, the Knights finished the third quarter strong with another touchdown run by Jenks to take a commanding 48-20 lead.   

Early in the fourth quarter, the Lyncs were able to find the endzone to chip away at the deficit. However, the Knights continued to ride off Jenks’ momentum as he grabbed a 32-yard touchdown. He found the endzone one more time after making the potential of a comeback insurmountable. Lynden Christian put up their best quarter of play with 15 points, but the Knights would seal a 61-35 win.   

“We saw (Jenks) in seventh grade, and he was about 80 pounds, and we're like, ‘He’s was a little tight, but man, it was different.’ His field vision is different than most, and he showed it today,” Allred said.   

The Knights will face the Cashmere Bulldogs (11-1) on Dec. 5 at 3 p.m. in Husky Stadium. When these two faced off earlier this season, it was the Knights pulling off a late comeback to win in overtime 21-15. Wardenaar said he feels confident the Knights will be ready. To him, they have developed more since the last time they met on the gridiron.   

“I feel like our O-line's gotten a lot better. Us running the ball as well and I feel like my confidence has gotten better throwing the ball,” Wardenaar said.   

Allred said it’s no surprise these two teams are meeting again. This time it will be for a state championship.   

“I was hoping there wasn't a team better than them, because that's a pretty tough team right there. We'll meet our match,” he said.   

BOX SCORE:  

LYNC: 12-8-0-15: 35 

ROYL: 14-20-14-13: 61 

    The Knights’ Shea Stevenson (23) stiff arms a Lynden Christian defender during the 1A state football semifinals game. The Knights forced multiple turnovers in the second quarter.
  

    Grant Wardenaar (7) looks for a pass downfield as defensive pressure closes in. Wardenaar said his coaches are encouraging of him to be himself which helps him remain composed at quarterback.
  

    Fischer Livingston (12) outruns a Lynden Christian defender during their 1A semifinal game on Saturday. The Knights will face the Cashmere Bulldogs for the second time this season, this time for the state championship.