By Michael Rupp

The Royals played their first game of the season Friday, August 27. The season started off with the week one rivalry game against the Cherokee Braves. The Braves got off to a quick start, scoring two first quarter touchdowns. Senior Quarterback Will Luger found the endzone on a 9 yard carry on the Braves first drive, and shortly after Senior Running Back Levi Pingel ran one in from 7 yards out. The Royals got on the board with 8 minutes left in the 2nd quarter. Junior Quarterback KC Nicks threw a 30 yard touchdown pass to Junior Wide Receiver Kam Steffen, and after the extra point by Sr. Preston Astidias, the score was 14-7 Braves. The Braves held their lead going into the half, but the Royals came out of the locker room with a newfound fire. Kam Steffen found paydirt two more times in the 3rd quarter after two scoop and score fumbles. Both fumbles were caused by the two-way player KC Nicks. After a failed point after attempt, the Royals had the lead 20-14. Will Lugar found the endzone again in the 4th quarter. A short QB sneak tied the game at 20 late in the Fourth quarter. After a blocked PAT by Brenin Stodden, the Braves kicked off again to MMCRU, but after a special teams error by the Royals, Jon Jenness picked up the ball and ran it in for another Braves TD. After the extra point the score was 27-20, Braves back on top. KC Nicks marched the Royals back down the field, but the Royals failed to get in the endzone on fourth down. Braves took home the win, by a score of 27-20
“It was a hard fought battle on both sides,” said Senior RB Eban Hicks. Hicks said that the heat was a factor for both sides. “All night the humidity was getting to both teams. We had a lot of guys getting cramps.” Hicks also told us that it was really cool to see the sportsmanship between both sides at the end of the game. “A lot of us know each other well, and it’s always fun to line up against your friends on a Friday night.”