The Hive Sports

by James Tate

The Roy Royals took control early, survived the Timpview Thunderbirds’ best punch, and pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 29-19 win and a trip to the 5A state championship game. Roy will play in the championship game for the first time since the 2014 season. In that 2014 game, the Royals lost to the Thunderbirds, but this time, the Royals took down the perennial powerhouse in the semifinals.

The Royals had standout performances in every phase of the game, and none more impressive than senior kicker Colby Frokjer, who was three for three on his field goals attempts including a 58-yarder in the fourth quarter, to propel them to victory.

A solid defensive effort in the fourth quarter by the Royals, led by the frontline of Jaxton Scoffield, Isaac Araiza, Justus Flores, Carsten Engberg, and Moni Keiaho, held the Thunderbird’s offense without a point. The linebacking crew of Logan Cella, Hunter Webb, and Ryker Cordero also contributed to keeping the Thunderbirds at their lowest-scoring output of the season.

Robert Young (l) and Hunter Webb (r) celebrate Young’s touchdown catch

First half

Roy marched down the field after taking the opening kickoff and scored the game’s first touchdown on a seven-yard touchdown pass from Dru Gardner to Robert Young. The Royals’ offensive line of Cade Draper, Ryan Foss, Wesley Barker, Alfie Hurtado, Beau Brown, and Kasch Casero dominated the Thunderbird’s front line and set the tone for the game. The touchdown drive took 6:15, and Frokjer’s extra point made the score 7-0, Roy.

“The offensive line executed their jobs very well, and they couldn’t stop us in the run,” Barker said. “Game plan – Keep it simple. We didn’t want to change or switch up on the system that got us here. We focused much more on the little things and how we executed each play.”

The Thunderbirds would respond, drive down to the Royals’ three-yard line, and settle for a 20-yard field goal by Luke Thornock. A 23-yard pass from Thunderbirds quarterback Soaki Aston to Mana Pula set up the successful field goal for a 7-3 score at the end of the first quarter.

Soaki Aston

Frokjer would score the next points for the Royals on a 38-yard field goal for a 10-3 Royals lead with 6:15 on the clock in the second quarter. The Royals’ offense held the ball for 11 plays on the scoring drive. The Thunderbird’s first touchdown of the game would come on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Aston to Jaron Pula on their next possession. Aston’s 53-yard pass to Jaron Pula set up the scoring play for the Thunderbirds. The Royals would hold a 10-9 lead as the Thunderbird’s extra-point snap was mishandled.

The Thunderbirds would close the first half by scoring, with Thornock making his second field goal of the game and giving them their first lead at 12-10—a tremendous defensive effort from the Thunderbirds forcing the Royals to punt, set up the last scoring drive.

Royals Jaxton Scoffield and Moni Keiaho tackle Thunderbird ball carrier

Second half

The Thunderbirds started the second half with the ball, but the Royals’ defense forced a three-and-out, highlighted by a third-down pass breakup by cornerback Rhett Slater. Young would take advantage of the excellent field position and score on a 26-yard touchdown run on the fifth play of the drive. After a failed two-point try, the score stood at 16-12, Royals with 8:42 in the third quarter.

Slater would strike again on the Thunderbird’s next possession; this time, he intercepted Aston’s pass to give the Royals possession and momentum. The Thunderbird’s defense would hold and force a turnover on downs at their two-yard line.

With the momentum from their defense, the Thunderbird’s offense would go on an eight-play, 98-yard drive that resulted in a 6-yard touchdown run by Aisa Galea’i. The key play on the drive was a 42-yard pass completion from Aston to freshman receiver Dennis Tua’one. The Thunderbirds regained the lead after the touchdown, 19-16, with :39 remaining in the third quarter.

The fourth quarter would be all Royals, starting with Frokjer’s 58-yard field goal to tie the score 19-19 with 9:35 on the clock. A Thunderbird unnecessary roughness penalty was a critical call on the scoring drive.

The Royals would have the next game-changing play as Gardner would find team-leading receiver Zay Morris on a 57-yard touchdown pass to give the Royals a 26-19 lead. Before the touchdown, the Royals’ defense was solid in forcing a turnover on downs and giving their offense the scoring opportunity. The Royals held a seven-point lead with 3:51 left in the game.

Another outstanding defensive effort by the Royals forced the Thunderbirds to turn the ball over on downs on their next possession, giving the Royals’ offense an opportunity to seal the game.

Frokjer would end the game’s scoring and put the Royals into the championship game with a 53-yard field goal. The final score of 29-19 ended the Thunderbird’s season, and the Royals moved on to face Region 5 foe Bountiful Redhawks for the state championship on November 21, 2024.

Logan Cella

Outstanding performers

Royals

Frokjer, a Montana State University football commit, tied a UHSAA playoff record with his 58-yard field goal. Frokjer’s two made field goals over 50 yards set a UHSAA playoff record. Cella rushed for 108 yards and played outstanding from his linebacker position.

Young and Slater’s interceptions led to an impressive performance from the Royals’ secondary, which included Kili Eleneke and Morris holding the Thunderbirds to one touchdown pass.

The Royals coaching staff, led by Head Coach Chris Solomona, was on point from the start of the game, executing a perfect game plan against the Thunderbirds.

“Coach MacInnes and Coach McGuire stressed all week that every play was the play, but the most important play was the next play,” Barker said. “We worried more about us and what we could do to be better instead of overstressing about Timpview. It was a great team win, but the job is not finished.”

Thunderbirds

Jaron Pula led all receivers with nine receptions and 159 yards. Aston finished with 321 total yards and one passing touchdown.

Senior linebacker Taaniela Makasini led all players with 15 total tackles.

photos courtesy of James Tate