It was the annual Thursday Night Lights game on September 26 as the Royals hosted their rivals the Delisle Rebels under the lights. It was their home opener and the rainy weather did not deter fans as they came out to cheer on their hometown Royals. The Pep Band started things off as they played O Canada to get things rolling. The Royals were coming off a win in Delisle from last week and came into the game with a 3-0 record. They were looking to keep the streak going.
Both defenses kept the points off the board until early in the second quarter. Rebel QB, Max Major connected with Tyler Sanders in the endzone to put the Rebels on the board 6-0. The point after was unsuccessful. The Royals answered back at the end of the second when Royals’ QB Aidan Kliewer handed the ball off to Kody Gutek who ran it in for the major. The point after was good and Royals took the lead 7-6. The Royals were not done before half and with only 0.4 seconds left on the clock, running back Brody Nelson added to the lead with the touchdown making it 13-6 at the half.
The wet field conditions led to fumbles by both teams and the Royals pushed the Rebels deep in their zone early in the third. The rebels elected to give up the safety making it 15-6. With only 3:45 left in the third Gutek took the handoff and ran 53 yards for the major making it 22-6. The Royals defense forced a rebel QB fumble and the Royals recovered the ball on Delisle’s 45-yard line. That series did not mount to anything but early in the fourth, Nelson carried the ball for the teams 4th major giving them the 29-6 lead.
The Rebels recovered another Royal fumble and Carson Huber took the handoff for the 25 yard major closing the gap 29-13. This did not keep the Royals down as Nelson returned the kickoff untouched for their 5th touchdown on a 65-yard run making it 36-13. Rebel QB, Major would connect one last time with Austin Gramson to make the final 36-20 keeping the Royal’s streak alive at 4-0.
Special teams were working well for the Royals as Nelson, Gutek and Fraser all had great runs for good yardage. Coach Evanisky is very happy with the squad this year. He commented, “We are pretty balanced all around”, when describing his team. They can capitalize on both the passing and running game. “Luckily, when it’s cold and wet, our O-line and running backs can carry the load”, commented Evanisky. He also has the option of QB Aidan Kliewer finding receivers, Kyler Fraser and Dawson Lennea. The team travels to North Battleford next week. Coach Evanisky would like to see his Royals limit penalties and work on not missing assignments on offense and defense. Defensive coordinator Carter Dyck likes the improvement he’s seen in the defense. “Tristan Towsen and Shamus Sawatsky took a lead role this game and rookie captain Brody Dyck had a good game on the d-line”, commented Coach Dyck.
Next home game for the Royals is October 10 when Humboldt comes to town. Game time is 4:00 so come and cheer on your Royals.
