ROYAL CITY — On Friday, the No. 1 seed Royal Knights (12-0) will travel to Husky Stadium to play the No. 2 seed Cashmere Bulldogs (11-1) in the 1A state championship game. Knights head coach Wiley Allred was not surprised to see the Bulldogs reach the state championship game.   

“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,” Allred said.  

When these two met in October, it was the Knights pulling off a late comeback to win 21-15 in overtime. Coming into that game, both teams were undefeated. The Knights had only allowed seven points all season, while the Bulldogs had not allowed a score by any team.  

Late in the first half, the Bulldogs scored on a one-yard touchdown run and converted a two-point play to take a 0-8 lead heading into halftime. It was the first time the Knights had trailed all season.   

During the break, the message to the Knights was simple, according to defensive end Bryan Larsen.     

“Play hard, play fast,” Larsen said.  

The Knights did just that as they tied the game 8-8 by the end of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Knights fell behind 8-15 after the Bulldogs executed a 25-yard passing touchdown. The Knights tried to respond, but a fumble gave the ball back to the Bulldogs. However, the defense rose to the occasion as they shut down Cashmere’s run game.   

The Royal offense took back over and moved down the field quickly. The Knights’ Grant Wardenaar evaded the pass rush long enough to find Shea Stevenson in double coverage downfield for a 49-yard pass play.     

A few plays later on third down, Wardenaar found Anderson Brown on a comeback route, who then shed a few tackles and converted a nine-yard touchdown play. After Brown kicked the extra point, the game was tied 15-15.     

The Bulldogs had the ball with under two minutes left in the game, but Larsen remained dominant in the trenches and forced a turnover on downs. From there, they were heading into overtime.     

The Knights' defense continued to impose its will on the Bulldogs' offense, forcing them to attempt a field goal on fourth down. However, they would miss the kick, and the Knights took over with an opportunity to win the game.     

After a few plays, the Knights found themselves on third down and knocking on the door of the endzone.     

In the post-game huddle, Allred said he asked his players if they wanted to run a quick play and go for the field goal, but Stevenson emphatically declined. Their confidence paid off when Wardenaar found Dax Jenks on a short out route, who then dove into the endzone for a game-winning touchdown.     

“Brian is just a scrappy kid, and we moved him from outside linebacker to D-line. Also, Dax Jenks played middle backer. He shot and sliced in there. That's the first time he's ever played middle linebacker. We had some kids we were moving around, so we feel good about what we're doing,” Allred said.  

As they have worked their way through the state football tournament, the Knights have remained dominant. Their win over King’s Way Christian in the district playoff earned them a first-round bye.   

In the quarterfinals, they came across Seton Catholic in a rematch of last year's state championship game. Royal came up victorious 48-10 and advanced to the semifinals, where they took on the Lynden Christian Lyncs.   

They kept it competitive in the first quarter, holding the Knights to a 14-12 lead. However, Royal forced multiple turnovers in the second quarter that helped them run away with the game for a 61-35 win to advance to the state championship.   

The Knights’ Wardenaar said he feels confident they 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.  

Wardenaar’s confidence is backed up by the Knights’ statistical dominance since that game. Since Oct. 9, the Knights have outscored their opponents 424-54. The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 367-54 since they last met Royal on the gridiron.   

Brody Bishop is also confident Royal can overcome the Bulldogs a second time and win another state championship if they do the right things.   

“Definitely teamwork for sure, playing together, communicating well and just sticking to our assignments. I think we have a good shot of winning if we do all those things," Bishop said. 

Kick off for these two high-powered offenses is set for 3 p.m. Friday.   

    Grant Wardenaar (7) lines up under center for a quarterback sneak play against Lynden Christian in the semifinals of the 1A state football tournament. The Knights defeated the Lyncs 61-35 to advance to the championship game.
  

    The Knights’ Fischer Livingston (12) works the sideline after catching a pass from Grant Wardenaar, not pictured. The Knights defeated Seton Catholic 48-10 in the quarterfinals of the 1A state football tournament.
  

    Dax Jenks (6) fights off a Lynden Christian defender on a run play during their state semifinal game. Jenks had five rushing touchdowns against the Lyncs on Saturday.
  

    Wide receiver Shea Stevenson (23) for the Knights stiff arms a Lynden Christian tackler after catching a pass from Grant Wardenaar (7). Stevenson said team communication and discipline will be important for overcoming Cashmere in the state championship game.
  

    The Knights’ Brody Bishop sacks the Lynden Christian quarterback during their semifinal game on Saturday. Bishop forced an interception and recovered a fumble against the Lyncs.