‘The tradition we’ve created.’ Allred totals 7 TDs, Royal claims fifth straight 1A title
Not one, not two, not three, not four — Royal City has their fifth straight state championship, and we can only hope there’s room left in the trophy case.
Knights senior QB Lance Allred totaled seven touchdowns (six rushing), WR Jackson Larsen hauled in a 34-yard touchdown catch, and No. 1 Royal stomped No. 2 Seton Catholic, 61-28, for the program’s fifth consecutive 1A state title Friday afternoon at Husky Stadium.
An already-established dynasty continues to roll: Royal has won eight state titles in nine years and, fittingly, Knights head coach Wiley Allred celebrated his 300th career win with a state trophy in tow.
“Number five is huge,” Lance said, Wiley’s great-nephew. “It’s for everybody (before) us. It’s the tradition we’ve created. And I’m super excited because I’ve done this three years in a row with the same guys every single year. It’s awesome, growing up with these guys in a small town.”
Royal’s quarterback shed happy tears and embraced friends and family near midfield, the perfect conclusion of an illustrious high school career. He was Friday’s one-man highlight reel: Allred followed blockers with impressive vision on the ground, threw with accuracy on the run, and made Seton Catholic pay in short-yardage situations. And despite a slow start, Allred’s 39-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter drew first blood, the lightning strike that set Royal’s offense in a groove.
“We don’t run (Lance) in most games,” his head coach admitted. “He just ad libs, does stuff, and he’s really an accurate passer, too.
“It’s the big game where he shines brightest.”
Lance’s eye-popping tallies in his final game as a Knight: 21 carries for 203 yards (9.7 YPC) and six touchdowns. He completed 15-of-21 passes for 200 yards, one touchdown (seven total), and no interceptions. He tackled six on defense at linebacker.
Yes, seven total touchdowns for Allred in his third consecutive state championship, the program’s fifth straight. His seven scores set an all-time 1A state championship record.
Not too shabby, eh?
Wiley Allred smiled: “It doesn’t get any better than this.”
Royal overcame four first-half fumbles (two lost) and recovered from self-inflicted wounds, likely the only viable path for Seton Catholic to upset this juggernaut. None were more costly than Royal’s fourth and final, when the Cougars pounced with less than one minute remaining in the second quarter to set up an instant scoring opportunity.
When Seton Catholic’s Teddy Wieczorek hauled in a 15-yard touchdown pass from QB Kolten Gesser, the programs trotted into Husky Stadium’s locker rooms knotted at 21. There would be no runaway win — yet.
Wiley asked his team in the halftime locker room: “Are we going to have the same thing happen in the second half?
“I don’t think so.”
Allred rushed for a pair of touchdowns in each of the third and fourth quarters, and Royal’s Ben Jenks (37 yards) and Jackson Larsen (69 yards) snagged second-half interceptions before rumbling for touchdowns; the lead ballooned.
“Our coaches remind us every time that we’re enough,” Lance Allred said. “Our defense was really good, offense was on fire… just two little mistakes (early).”
This story was originally published December 6, 2024 at 7:01 PM with the headline "‘The tradition we’ve created.’ Allred totals 7 TDs, Royal claims fifth straight 1A title."
