Undefeated Royal gets season’s biggest test in 1A title game vs. King’s
Royal has rolled through this high school football season.
The Royal Knights are undefeated in 13 games, and have trailed just once this season. They lead the state in scoring the most points per game (54.3) and in surrendering the fewest (4.3).
Their dominance has been undeniable, but that’s not what matters to coach Wiley Allred. What matters is handling the team’s biggest test in King’s on Saturday for the 1A state title.
As for Royal’s impressive stats: “We don’t really care,” Allred said. “I know that’s what people write about, but we know we are going to face a tough team in the finals.”
King’s (12-1) is a proven winner, too. And they boast an offensive line that has Allred a little worried.
“King’s has some kids that can maul you. If we can’t utilize our quickness we might be in trouble,” he said.
Royal’s defense didn’t take shape until after their 27-20 win over Connell in Week 3. That’s when Allred moved seniors Andy Villafana and Valente Cortez-Lopez from defensive line to linebacker.
Allred said he strives to achieve balance with the offense. Junior quarterback Kaden Jenks makes it all go, a trait Allred recognized early in Jenks’ career.
“My son was the starting QB. I traded him out and switched him to tight end in favor of Kaden half way through his freshman year,” said Allred, “He’s the best I’ve ever coached.”
Jenks has passed for 2,491 yards and 45 touchdowns, completing 64.6 percent of his passes (126 of 195). And he’s thrown just two interceptions.
“Forty-five TD passes out of 126 completions? That’s crazy,” Allred said. “It will be a great game. Two of the best teams, East versus West, in the state finals. We’re ready for the challenge.”
Class 1A state final
No. 1 Royal (13-0) vs. No. 6 King’s (12-1)
1 p.m. Saturday, Tacoma Dome
Coaches: Wiley Allred is in his 17th season at Royal (189-26 record). Jim Shapiro is in his 19th season at King’s (131-81).
Road to Gridiron Classic: Royal beat Charles Wright Academy in the first round (69-0), Colville in the quarterfinals (21-7), and Connell in the semifinals (47-7). King’s beat Port Townsend in the first round (24-7), Hoquiam in the quarterfinals (42-21), and Montesano in the semifinals (28-25).
About the Royal Knights: Would you have guessed it has been eight seasons since perennial powerhouse Royal has won the Class 1A title? The South Central Athletic Conference East champion is poised to win its sixth state title behind QB Kaden Jenks (125 of 197, 2,429 yards, 45 TDs; 323 rushing yards, seven TDs), who operates the up-tempo offense. Royal is not as bulky as in the past, but once it gets on a roll, it can be tough to stop.
About the King’s Knights: Give coach Jim Shapiro credit, he saw reasons to switch his offense into a power rushing attack this season. It has paid off — King’s is in the 1A title game for the first time. RB Caleb Perry (136 rushes, 1,027 yards, 13 TDs) is a home-run threat (and 100-meter school record holder) while RB Andrew Cline (158 rushes, 1,068 yards, nine TDs) gets tough yards. Fall asleep, and QB Koa Wilkins can burn you off the play-action.
TNT pick: Royal, 28-21.
tmilles@thenewstribune.com
This story was originally published December 4, 2015 at 11:22 PM with the headline "Undefeated Royal gets season’s biggest test in 1A title game vs. King’s."