By Mari Radtke
The undefeated MMCRU Royals hosted the undefeated Woodbury Central Wildcats Friday night November 7. It was a blowout.
The WC Wildcats took a penalty on the opening kickoff for holding. They got to 3rd and 10 when Wyatt Alesch picked of the pass and ran it to the house. A minute and a half into the game and the Royals were on the board. Gage Johnson kicked 6 successful PATs throughout the evening.
The Wildcats looked to play some protective football with mostly run plays, gaining small yardage and retaining possession. They moved the chains in their second possession and even threw a big 1st down pass. But the series didn’t last long. On 3rd and 4 Camden Bork and Ben Tentinger sacked the quarterback, making it 4th and 13.
The Royals first offensive possession was quick and successful. Gage Johnson grabbed a pass in the endzone. The first quarter ended with at 14-0.
The Royals were working against a firmed up defense. At 4th and 1 inside the 5. Quarterback Eli Harpenau drew the Wildcats offsides putting them on the 3. John Schmillen carried it in.

The Wildcats punted at the end of their next series. It took 2 plays and Brayson Mulder found a hole and ran it all the way for another Royals TD. A Royal was flagged for a personal foul that happened after the touchdown, leaving the score in tact.
Some confusion by the officials after the kickoff which went to a receiver in midfield. The ball took a bounce and a Wildcat grabbed it. He was promptly hit – hard. And the ball flew free. Michael Schmillen recovered it and ran a few yards. Before the next snap, play was stopped and officials gathered to discuss the play. It was decided the WC player did not have possession of the ball and so it was ruled a dead ball at the site of the impact. Royals ball at mid-field.
The Royals were flagged for a false start on 3rd and 6 at the 32. Then came a big pass to Camden Bork who had to fight to retain possession in the house with 3:44 to go in the 3rd quarter. The cheerleaders stayed true to custom and did 35 jumping jacks.
Strong Royals’ defense got the ball punted back. Royals were caught holding.
The Royals took a 35-0 lead to the halftime rest.
The Royals scored early in the second half and on their first possession of the half. It was another offsides call against the Wildcats that helped keep the series alive.
The Wildcats next possession was short. Three consecutive incomplete passes brought out another punt. The Royals’ series ended with a punt. The Royals were flagged again for a personal foul. The Wildcats did get a TD on the next possession with 25 seconds left in the 3rd, but failed at the 2-point conversion.
The Royals lost their focus in the opening plays of the 4th quarter. Two consecutive bad snaps put them in a 4th and 21 deep in their own territory.
Tough defense in the series brought a quarterback sack by Harpenau. On 4th and 9 Michael Schmillen took back possession. The Royals could not take advantage it. The Royals punted.
The Wildcats looked like they were going to make the best of the possession. They threw a good pass under pressure, taking them to their own 23 making it 3rd and 4. The Wildcats threw a nice pass, got a good run, broke tackles. The runner took a big hit and fumbled. It was a Royals’ recovery. And another Royals unsportsmanlike conduct call. They had the final possession to run out the clock and cement their spot at the Unidome.
Royals play West Sioux Falcons Thursday November 13 at 1:00pm in Cedar Falls for one of the two Championship Class 1A spots.