by James Tate

Head Coach: Chris Solomona

2025 Record: Overall (3-7) Region (3-3)

The Royals enter the 2026 season in a familiar position, facing change with confidence. After their 2024 run to the 5A state championship game and the graduation of a large senior class, Roy once again finds itself reloading, this time with a revamped coaching staff.

Head coach Chris Solomona has never shied away from a challenge, and the departures of former offensive coordinator Connor McGuire to a head‑coaching role and several assistants to Bonneville only reinforce a truth the program already knows well: Roy adapts. That resilience is no accident. It’s a reflection of the culture Coach Solomona has built, one where continuity comes not from titles but from standards, a theme that continues to define the Royals as they enter a new era.

Taking over as offensive coordinator is Ryan Hannah, who arrives with championship credibility of his own. Hannah guided Roy’s boys basketball team to the 2025 Region 5 title, earning a reputation for discipline, creativity, and player development. His transition to football brings a fresh perspective to an offense that has long thrived on adaptability, and his presence adds another competitive voice to Coach Solomona’s staff, one that fits the program’s identity of embracing challenges rather than fearing them.

Roy also absorbs the departure of Jackson Cella, one of the brightest young coaches in Utah high school football. Cella spent the past four seasons shaping the Royals’ special teams and safeties units, building a reputation for detail‑oriented preparation and sharp defensive instincts. His move to Viewmont as defensive coordinator is both a testament to his rising profile and a reminder of how much coaching talent has passed through Coach Solomona’s program in recent years.

Tasker Bills

The Royals will lean heavily on senior leadership in 2026, and this year’s captain group reflects both experience and versatility. Offensive lineman Tasker Bills, quarterback Gunner Pearson, wide receiver/defensive back Tyler Dickson, wide receiver/defensive back Luke Pebley, and running back/linebacker Howie Howard form the core of a senior class that has grown up inside Coach Solomona’s system and understands what it takes to compete deep into November.

Pearson returns as one of the most dynamic dual‑threat quarterbacks in Region 5, and his leadership style mirrors the physical, demanding way he plays the game.

“A big part of my game is being physical, being a team leader, and working hard,” Pearson said. “I motivate and lead by example. I pride myself in knowing every job on the field to be able to execute and help others.”

His toughness in the open field and ability to extend plays make him the engine of Roy’s attack, and with outside weapons like the sure‑handed Dickson and the explosive Pebley, the Royals have the pieces to stretch defenses horizontally and vertically. Howard adds another dimension. He led Roy in rushing last season with 422 yards despite appearing in only six games, and a strong offseason has positioned him as one of the most underrated players in the region, a downhill runner ready for a breakout year.

Bills anchors the offensive line, a unit that will feature several young contributors but gains stability through his leadership. He has embraced the responsibility of guiding a developing group, emphasizing cohesion and accountability as the foundation for Roy’s success.

“We have a lot more guys with experience compared to last year,” Bills said. “One of our goals has been to be more together as a team and be more selfless for each other as a team.”

His presence gives the Royals a steady voice up front as they integrate new talent into key roles, and his leadership will be essential as Roy leans on youth in several positions.

That youth movement extends to the defensive side, where several emerging players are poised to take on larger roles. Junior Julian Vazquez is one of the most promising returners, coming off a season in which he recorded 36 tackles and showed the range and toughness that make him a natural fit in Roy’s aggressive defensive style. Bryton Ketcham finished second on the team with 44 tackles last year, and Mason Engstrom was close behind with 38, giving the Royals a pair of seniors who have already proven they can handle the physical demands of Region 5 play.

Tyler Dickson

Synic Harvey adds a playmaking element to the secondary; his two interceptions led the team last season, and his instincts give Roy a reliable presence on the back end as the defense continues to evolve.

Young players will again play a prominent part in Roy’s identity.

Sophomores Mason Pugmire and JuJu Teran are two of the most intriguing underclassmen in the program, both expected to contribute early and grow into major pieces of the Royals’ future. Seniors Riley Jeppesen, Lucius Hicks, and Aiden Wade are also poised for expanded roles, giving Roy a blend of veteran stability and emerging talent that fits the program’s long‑standing blueprint: develop, reload, compete.

Key games

August 21, 2026 vs Rigby Trojans (ID) Roy opens its home slate with a bruising non‑region test against Rigby, a program known for bringing size, tempo, and Idaho toughness on every snap. Slotted one week before the Weber rivalry, this matchup becomes more than an early measuring stick — it’s a tone‑setter. How Roy handles Rigby’s physicality will reveal whether the Royals are ready for the gauntlet that follows.

August 28, 2026 vs Weber Warriors (Shield Game) Few nights in Weber County carry more electricity than the Shield Game. Roy and Weber don’t just share a rivalry; they share history, proximity, and a fan base that circles this date the moment schedules drop. Expect another heavy‑hitting contest defined by emotion, momentum swings, and community pride. For the Royals, this game is always a statement opportunity, a chance to seize the Shield and shape the narrative of their season.

October 14, 2026 vs Fremont Silverwolves (Senior Night) Senior Night brings both celebration and pressure, and this year’s finale against Fremont could carry significant weight in the Region 1 race. With playoff seeding and possibly a region title hanging in the balance, the Royals’ veterans will take the field knowing this game may define their legacy. Whether it becomes a clincher, a spoiler, or a thriller decided in the final minutes, the stakes will be unmistakable.

Key losses

Drayden Esplin (Snow College)

Carsten Engberg (Snow College)

Ryker Cordero (graduation)

photos courtesy of James Tate