The Hive Sports

by James Tate

The Roy Royals (11-1) head to the UHSAA 5A State Championship Semi-Finals after defeating the Viewmont Vikings (8-4) 43-29. In a rematch of a game won earlier this season by the Royals, the two Region 5 teams locked up in a game that the Royals took control of early. The Royals displayed a total team effort with explosive offensive plays, stingy defensive stops, and steady plays on special teams to secure the victory.

Royals senior quarterback Dru Gardner threw for 262 yards and three touchdowns, while Robert Young (127) and Logan Cella (103) led in rushing. Wide receiver Zay Morris hauled four receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, Jaxton Scoffield and Cella led the Royals with six tackles each. Ryan Foss, Sam Smith, and Isaac Araiza each contributed with one sack. Kili Eleneke made the game’s only interception; it was his Region 5 leading seventh of the season.

The Vikings were led by senior quarterback Titan Longson’s 379 total yards and four touchdowns. Drez Jensen led the receiving unit for the Vikings with six catches for 84 yards. Blake Moore made plays on defense and led the Vikings with ten tackles, followed by Ezekiel Cook and Zach Anderegg, tallying seven tackles.

Logan Cella

First half

The Royals offense did not waste time scoring the game’s first touchdown, with Gardner finding Morris from 53 yards out on the game’s third play. Morris was covered well by Vikings cornerback Ryan Tillman but secured the loose ball for a spectacular catch and run into the end zone. Runs from Young and Cella set up the touchdown which energized the team and home crowd. The Royals led 7-0 with 10:34 in the first quarter.

On the Viking’s first offensive possession, they would turn the ball over on downs from their 29-yard line and give the Royals excellent field position. The Royals would make quick work of the field position and score another touchdown; this time, Cella ran through the Viking’s defense from 8 yards. The score stood at 14-0 at the 7:24 mark of the first quarter. A 20-yard screen pass from Gardner to Cella set up the touchdown for the Royals.

Longson would get the Vikings offense moving on their next possession with a 33-yard pass completion to junior receiver Jayson Dunroe. The Viking’s offense would stall and turn the ball over on downs again after Eleneke broke up a fourth-down pass attempt.

The Royals’ explosive offense would strike again and make the score 21-0 on Young’s two-yard touchdown run at 3:31 in the first quarter. Young’s touchdown was set up by Gardner finding Morris on a 32-yard pass completion down the right sidelines. Morris beat one on one coverage and made an excellent over-the-shoulder catch on the deep pass play.

Zay Morris hauls in pass from Dru Gardner

Longson would score the Viking’s first touchdown on their next possession, a 10-yard touchdown run, for a 21-7 score with :57 left in the first quarter. Longson found Dunroe wide open on a pass play, and junior running back Benji Tolman made yards on runs to set up the touchdown.

The first-half scoring would conclude with Royals senior Colby Frokjer connecting on a 27-yard field goal with 7:35 on the clock in the second quarter, giving the Royals a 24-7 lead. Before Frokjer’s successful kick, the Royals’ defense would stop the Vikings on a fourth down for the third time in the half. The Royals’ defense would get outstanding efforts from its frontline of Scoffield, Carsten Engberg, Angie Ahui, Foss, Moni Keiaho, Justus Flores, and Araiza.

Before the second quarter ended, the Royals wanted to add another score to take a commanding lead. However, a great defensive play from Vikings defensive backs Hudson Holbrook, Jordan Jones, and Anderegg forced a fumble, and they recovered the ball to end the Royals’ drive.

Benji Tolman (l) Titan Longson (r)

Second half

The Royals would score first in the third quarter, with Frokjer making a 29-yard field goal, his second of the game, for a 27-7 score in favor of the Royals. Young set up the score with a spectacular 60-yard run on the drive’s first play. The Vikings would respond on their next possession with Longson finding receiver Cache Tuia open in the middle of the field for a 30-yard touchdown. The score stood at 27-14, Royals, with 4:35 in the third quarter.

Gardner would connect with Young for the Royals’ next touchdown at 1:19 in third quarter. The touchdown made the score 34-14 and kept the Royals in control of the game. With the game on the line, the Vikings used a hurry-up offense on their next possession, but Eleneke intercepted a deep pass by Longson.

The fourth quarter opened with the Royals sacking Longson in the end zone for a safety and extending the lead to 36-14. Morris would be on the receiving end of Gardner’s third touchdown pass, a 13-yard reception to make the score 43-14 with 5:10 left in the game.

The Vikings would close the game and their impressive season with touchdown passes from Longson to Draylon Jensen and Tillman to make the final score 43-29.

Outstanding performers

Royals

The offensive line of Cade Draper, Wesley Barker, Hank Mullen, Kasch Casero, Webb, Ryan Foss, and Carter Rudolph led the way for the Royals’ 504 total yards.

Senior Colby Frokjer was perfect, five for five on his extra point attempts, and he made his two field goals to contribute 11 points for the Royals.

Young’s 32 touchdowns lead the state this season, and he has eclipsed 2,000 all-purpose yards on the year.

Vikings

Longson capped off a remarkable senior season by throwing 3,280 yards and 39 touchdowns. Moore finished his senior year with a team-leading 131 tackles.

The Vikings receiving quartet of Jensen, Tuia, Jones, and Kingston Mickens career closes with incredible numbers, combining for 361 receptions, 5,148 yards, and 61 touchdowns. Mickens, a top 2025 recruit in the state and leader on the Vikings team was lost for the season in the first game against the Royals.

The Vikings’ offensive line of Ammon Eriksson, Elijah Rivadeneira, Lewis Wright, Jaxson Behunin, and Mack Youngberg significantly contributed to the overall success of the offense and team this season.

photos courtesy of James Tate