ROYAL CITY – The Royal Knights (5-0) pulled off a comeback in overtime to defeat the Cashmere Bulldogs 21-15 on Friday. Head coach Wiley Allred said a win like this serves as a valuable experience for his players, who have not often played in situations like that.   

“We just had a lot of mental mistakes, but it was a great growing experience for the players, and they fought like crazy all game long, played hard,” Allred said.   

Coming into this 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.

“They were in the semis with us last year, and we had a senior-dominated group, and so we knew it'd be a good battle. They're a really good football team,” Allred said.

The first quarter went scoreless, with the Knights having an opportunity on their first drive but could not capitalize. The Bulldogs would get a score on a one-yard touchdown run and convert a two-point play to take a 0-8 lead heading into halftime.   

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

“Play hard, play fast,” he said.   

On Cashmere’s opening drive in the third quarter, they began to move the ball downfield through the air. However, Grant Wardenaar shut down their momentum by intercepting the Bulldogs quarterback.   

The Knights dissected the Bulldogs' defense to move downfield to the one-yard line and were on the verge of scoring. Wardenaar would keep the ball on sneak play to get the Knights on the board. They would convert a two-point play after Wardenaar found Dax Jenks on a short pass, tying the game at 8-8.  

The Bulldogs responded at the top of the fourth quarter with a 25-yard touchdown pass over the middle to retake the lead at 8-15. The Knights' offense took over with just over seven minutes left in the fourth quarter. They milked the clock by moving the ball on the ground. However, a fumble would stall the Knights' offense.   

The Knights' defense came up big behind Larsen and Brody Bishop, shutting down the Bulldogs' run game.   

“I kind of just stuck to my gaps and stayed true to what my coaches said, and I just made plays, they played really physical,” Larsen said.   

The Knights' offense would take back over and move down the field quickly. 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.   

“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.   

The Bulldogs got the ball first in overtime. The intensity was high, and the stands were roaring to help disrupt Cashmere’s execution. Allred said anytime a game goes to overtime, it can be a coin toss on the outcome.   

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 Jenks on a short out route, who then dove into the endzone for a game-winning touchdown.   

Jenks had to leave the field earlier in the game after dealing with cramps but was able to return to the field in time to help the Knights pull off the comeback.   

“I put trust in my teammates. When I had a terrible cramp in my calf, I knew I needed to be back in the game, but I put trust in my teammates, and they scored,” Jenks said.   

Allred said the Bulldogs presented a level of physicality the Knights had not seen much of to this point. However, his players responded in the second half and fought back to secure the 21-15 win.   

“I thought our defense was really good. I think offense, we're a little inconsistent, and there's some things we got to work on. (Cashmere’s) a really good football team, but it means a lot. I think it just gives us some confidence to try to keep overcoming,” Allred said.  

He said the Knights have plenty of work to do but are on an upward trajectory that is preparing them for another run in the postseason. The Knights hit the road Oct. 9 to play the Prosser Mustangs at 7 p.m.   

BOX SCORE:   

ROYL: 0-0-8-7-6: 21  

CSMR: 0-8-0-7-0: 15  

    A swarm of Knights defenders pile up on a Cashmere ball carrier to make a tackle. Head Coach Wiley Allred said his defense played good against a physical Bulldogs team.
  

    The Knights’ Dax Jenks (6) dives for the game winning touchdown over the Cashmere Bulldogs. Jenks had to leave the field earlier in the game due to cramps but was able to come back and help the Knights win.
  

    Shea Stevenson (23) and Brody Bishop (24) celebrate after tackling a Bulldog ball carrier behind the line of scrimmage.
  

    Grant Wardenaar (7) evades the Cashmere pass rush to extend the pass play. Wardenaar also intercepted a pass for the Knights on defense.
  

    The Knights’ Anderson Brown spins off a tackler and extends the ball out for a touchdown to tie the game against Cashmere.