We are four weeks into the 2020 IHSAA football season, and the Royals varsity football team is off to a hot start. New head coach Michael Kelly has led his team to an impressive 3-1 start.

Week one the Royals came out hot, defeating the Lawrence Central Bears 24-0 on the road. senior quarterback John McCall tossed for a total of 147 yards and passing touchdown to junior tight end Will Gerig. The Royals defense had a great game, not only did they leave the Bear scoreless, but they held them to only 81 passing yards and 62 rushing yards. Gio Ragland led the team in solo tackles with five, and managed to come down with an interception.

Week two was a heart breaker. On their home field the Royals were looking to redeem a last second lost to the North Central Panthers from last year. McCall passed for 186 yards and two touchdowns but a Royals fumble late in the forth quarter gave the Panthers a chance. North Central went to tie the game and force over time. The Royals scored, putting them up by seven. However, on a fluke play the Panthers scored on forth and goal. They chose to go for the win on a two point conversion and were able to put it in the end zone dropping the Royals record to 1-1.

Week three brought the first conference game of the season for the Royals, they would play at Avon High School to take on the Orioles. Once again Hamilton Southeastern was looking to redeem a last second lost. This time they came up victorious. The Royals offense put up a season high 39 points. Second year starter Blaine Wertz rushed for 125 yards on 24 carries, averaging 5.2 yards per attempt. Senior Jase Alexander also rushed for a touchdown and McCall added another two rushing touchdowns along with a passing touchdown to junior Martice Taylor. Sophomore Evan Sherrill led the team in sacks with two. Gio Ragland and Seth Wilson were both able to come down with an interception.

Week four brought the cross town rival Fishers Tigers to Royals Reynolds Stadium. For a much anticipated Mudsock game. The Royals offense came out hot with a 20 play drive lasting well over seven minutes and ended in a 14 yard rushing touchdown by John McCall. It wasn’t until the second quarter when fishers finally got it into the end zone with a two yard rushing touchdown that tied the game at seven a piece. Later in the second quarter a bad snap on a punt would lead to a safety giving the Tigers a two point lead and the ball. The second half started with Fishers with the ball but the Royal defense was able to get off the field quickly. The Tigers punted to the Royals deep in their own territory giving Hamilton Southeastern great field position. That drive ended with a spectacular 30 yard rushing touchdown by Blaine Wertz. The Royals now lead 14-9. After scoring two more times a Noah Wolf interception late in the fourth quarter practically sealed a Royals win. Wolf had an amazing game with multiple big plays, including a pass deflection attended for Landon Morris earlier in the game. The Royals went on to win the Mudsock at home bringing their record to 3-1 on the season.