The Hive Sports

by James Tate

The Roy Royals (5-0) lost one region game last season, and it was against the Box Elder Bees (2-3). This season, the Royals made sure the outcome would be different, with a 37-10 region 5 win, to stay undefeated and on track to repeat as region champions. A big fourth-quarter night from the Royals’ offense, defense, and special teams was the difference in a close game for three quarters. The Bees made a strong effort at home and made the game close against the favored Royals.

The Royals’ undefeated season seemed in jeopardy, as the Bees kept within one score for over three quarters until big plays by the Royals made the score one-sided. Despite injuries coming into and during the game, the Bees’ effort and toughness were on full display.  The Royals’ offense faced a tough challenge for most of the game, but a pivotal punt block and interceptions on defense sparked a fourth-quarter surge, securing their victory.

First half

The Royals offense started the game with senior quarterback Dru Gardner getting the ball out to his explosive playmakers’ hands. Zay Morris, Ryan Foss, Kili Eleneke, Logan Cella, and Robert Young all got touches on the opening drive. The Bees’ defense tightened up and forced the Royals to punt after reaching the Bees’ 46-yard line.

Kadyn Reyes

Sophomore quarterback Kadyn Reyes led the Bees on their first offensive possession starting at their 11-yard line. Behind an experienced offensive line, tough running by running back Jae Macias, and timely passing, the Bess would eat up time on the clock the rest of the first quarter on their opening drive.

Reyes connected with Mayson Jeppsen and converted a third and ten with a completion to Bodee Burnham to move the ball into Roy’s territory on the possession. The Royals’ defense forced a fourth and one at the 10-yard line, but the Bees could not convert and turned the ball over on downs, ending the first quarter tied 0-0.

The Royals would get their offense going on their first possession of the second quarter and score the game’s first touchdown, with Gardner finding Foss on a 6-yard touchdown pass. A 52-yard run on the drive by Eleneke set up the 89-yard scoring drive. The score stood at 7-0 with 9:29 in the second quarter in favor of the Royals.

“I was in the middle of my route and saw an opening in the middle of the defense and instantly threw my hand up,” Foss said. “I saw Dru rolling out, but I felt like I was so open that I didn’t want to move so I just stayed where I was, and he delivered a great ball to me.”

Maddox Earnest

The Bees did not back down, driving down the field to score on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Carter Buchanan to receiver Maddox Earnest. A third-down holding penalty against the Royals gave the Bees a first down during the drive to set up the touchdown. With 4:14 on the clock in the second quarter, it was a tie game, 7-7.

Before halftime, the Royals would strike again, with Young scoring a touchdown from the one-yard line. After a successful two-point conversion, the Royals would have a 15-7 lead going into halftime.

Key plays on the drive were Gardner’s completions to receivers Rhett Slater and Morris and Gardner’s scramble for a first down. Young would take a direct snap and sprint for an 11-yard gain on the left sideline before his touchdown run.

Second half

Down by just one score, the Bees would begin the second half with the momentum of getting the kickoff and being on offense. Bees’ senior kicker Ethan Barber would make a 27-yard field goal to make the score 15-10 with 7:28 on the clock in the third quarter. The Bees’ offensive line of Jensen Kennedy, Roman Torrey, Chance Richards, Ricki Jones, and Greyson Burt were vital in creating running lanes for Tyeson Hansen and Macias. A fourth and one conversion was essential in keeping the drive going, which led to the successful field goal.

The Royals used their power running game on their next possession, with Cella grinding out tough yards to move the ball near midfield. The Bees’ defense stopped the Royals’ offense on a fourth-and-one and took over on downs near midfield with 3:25 on the clock in the third quarter.

Ange Ahui (l), Moni Keiaho (m), Carsten Engberg (r)

With .44 left in the third quarter, Moni Keiaho made the play of the game when he blocked a punt attempt by the Bees’ special teams. This momentum-changing play gave the Royals a first down on the Bees’ 36-yard line.

“I was not supposed to be in there for special teams,” Keiaho said. “But when my coaches let me stay in there, I took advantage of the opportunity. Once the ball was snapped, I saw an opening on the first line, so I ran as fast as I could through the line. I knew I couldn’t run through the second line, so I came off the edge and saw the punter about to kick the ball. I ran and jumped as high as I could with my hands up. I felt the ball hit my hands and I was surprised.”

The Royals did not capitalize on the outstanding special teams play and missed a 51-yard field goal attempt, but the tone was set for an exciting Royals fourth quarter. The Bees took over on their 20-yard line, but they had no success moving the ball against the Royals’ defense. They punted the ball away with 10:50 left in the game, and the Royals held a 15-10 lead.

For the Royals next score, Gardner would find Eleneke in the end zone on a 2-yard touchdown pass. The drive started at midfield, and a Gardner to Young deep pass was crucial in the scoring drive. The Royals took command of the game and led 23-10 after a successful two-point conversion with 8:47 left.

Cella (l), Wesley Barker (m), Gardner (r)

The Bees, needing to score quickly on their next possession, attempted a third-down pass that Morris intercepted. Young capitalized on the turnover and scored a touchdown on a 17-yard run. The game quickly shifted to the Royals’ favor, as they led 30-10 with 6:18 left to play. The Bees would attempt another drive to score quickly, but safety Riley Boudreau would intercept a deep pass and give the Royals possession with 5:20 on the clock.

The game’s final score would come from Young on a 16-yard touchdown reception from Gardner with less than two minutes left. This score extended the Royals’ lead to a final score of 37-10.

Outstanding performers

Zay Morris

Royals

Gardner continues to be one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the state, with 200 passing yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. Leading receiver Morris had seven catches for 59 yards and was clutch on many first-down completions.

Cella led the Royals’ defense with seven tackles, followed by Jaxton Scoffield and Foss with six each. Key interceptions by Morris and Boudreau led the defensive backfield. Keiaho’s blocked punt ignited the Royals team that outscored the Bees 22-3 in the second half.

Bees

Macias was instrumental in the Bees’ running game before going out with an injury in the third quarter. Hansen played outstanding at running back and on defense. The Bees’ defense played extremely well in eliminating big plays by the Royals’ offense, led by Cody Kaleikini, Burnham, Richards, Kaden Wheeler, Jaxon Jeppsen, Korbin Jeppesen, Cole Bushnell, and Carter Buchanan.

photos courtesy James Tate