WENATCHEE -- The Royal football team held Chelan in check for three quarters Saturday, but two turnovers cost the Knights.
Chelan advanced to the state semifinals for the second time in school history with a 27-17 victory at the Apple Bowl in Wenatchee.
"The two turnovers late were the difference," Royal coach Wiley Allred said. "We knew we had to score in the second half. We weren't going to hold them every time. We had them on the ropes. We played just great, but the turnovers dictate a lot."
Leading 17-12 late in the third quarter, the Knights were driving. Alex Myrick was in the process of scrambling for a first down when the ball was knocked out and Chelan recovered at the Royal 19.
Chelan then went on a nine-play drive to take the lead, as Michael Amsel Jr. went around the right end 34 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 19 seconds left in the third quarter.
On Royal's ensuing possession, the Knights went on a 15-play drive down the field. Damien Delarosa converted a fourth-and-3 on a fake punt, Myrick threw a pair of big completions to Delarosa and Daniel Vermeer recovered a critical offensive fumble to put Royal in first-and-10 from the 12.
But after two incompletions, Myrick was intercepted at the 3-yard line by Matt Robinson.
Amsel Jr. went 67 yards around the corner on the next play to effectively ice the game.
"I'll take Myrick any day," Allred said. "I'm really proud of the seniors."
Myrick finished with 132 yards rushing on 19 carries. He also was 16-of-22 for 145 yards with two touchdowns. Christian Guerrero had six receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown.
CHELAN 27, ROYAL 17
Royal 7 10 0 0 -- 17
Chelan 6 6 8 7 -- 27
SCORING PLAYS
R--Brady Dixon 4 pass from Alex Myrick (Jose Gaxiola kick)
C--Cole Schwartz 8 run (kick failed)
R--FG 32 Gaxiola
C--Matt Robinson 7 pass from Michael Amsel Jr. (pass failed)
R--Christian Guerrero 11 pass from Myrick (Gaxiola kick)
C--Amsel Jr. 34 run (Konnar Stevens pass from Amsel Jr.)
C--Schwartz 13 run (Misael Arechiga kick)
STATISTICS
Rushing--R, Myrick 19-132, Alex Ramirez 12-52, Delarosa 3-9, Guerrero 3-6. C, Amsel Jr. 15-180, Matt Peterson 12-46, Schwartz 7-43, Billy Poppie 3-11, Stevens 1-3, team 2-(minus 4).
Passing--R, Myrick 16-22-2-145. C, Amsel Jr. 6-16-0-66.
Receiving--R, Guerrero 6-63, Johnny Villenueva 3-31, Daniel Vermeer 3-28, Delarosa 2-32, Dixon 1-4, Alex Ramirez 1-(minus 3). C, Robinson 2-42, Peterson 2-15, Schwartz 2-9.
First downs--R 18, C 16. Fumbles-lost--R 2-1, C 2-0. Penalties-yards--R 7-60, C 5-45.
