Roy football preview: Solomona wants Royals to play with ‘chip on their shoulder’
New OL coach, playbook tweaks have Roy poised for another big year
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- Roy linebackers concentrate on a pad drill during a morning practice on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at Roy High School.
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- Roy junior Joseph Gallardo spots the ball during a morning practice on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at Roy High School.
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- Roy head football coach Chris Solomona sets up a drill during a morning practice on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at Roy High School.
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- Roy senior Dru Gardner (right, yellow) hands the ball off to senior Logan Cella (left, #0) during a morning practice on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at Roy High School.
ROY — Among the area’s defending region champs, Roy High may have the most room on its shelf for another title banner this fall with a deep roster and Chris Solomona returning for his third season as head coach.
In two seasons at Roy, Solomona is 16-7 and returns a generous batch of senior talent across the depth chart. Most notably, the Royals (9-3, 6-1 Region 5) return starting quarterback Dru Gardner and running back Robert Young for their respective senior campaigns.
Gardner and Young return more than 1,500 combined yards to a Royals offense that averaged 314.3 yards per game last season. The pair helped Roy follow up a 3-2 start with six consecutive wins, leading up to a season-ending, 13-9 loss to Alta in the quarterfinal round of the 5A playoffs.
Roy returns a roster of proven names and former Utah State Aggie Connor McGuire as offensive coordinator, but Solomona said his group still has lots to learn about “consistency” before they can start digging out receipts from 2023.
“They understand it’s not going to just happen,” Solomona said. “They’ve got to continue to have that chip on their shoulders that’s been there for the past few years. We’ve just tried to reiterate that throughout this year, we’re still going to be overlooked in a lot of ways.”
Roy’s backfield will look familiar with senior Logan Cella (MLB/RB) returning to assist Young in touches. Last season, Cella took 46 carries for 325 yards and six touchdowns as part of the Royals’ rotation.
Gardner’s pass game features a strong cast of options in Young, senior Kahekili Eleneke (WR/CB) and senior Rhett Slater (RB/WR/CB). Roy also welcomes back junior Isaiah Morris (WR/CB) who racked up 222 receiving yards last fall before a season-ending injury.
Discussing recent scrimmages versus Syracuse and Layton, Gardner said he’s pleased with how far the Royals can spread the ball and find creative answers to move the sticks.
“I feel like everything really helped us tune up for this season,” Gardner said. “We’ve checked everything off and now we’re just trying to get ready.”
One of the summer’s highlights has been the offensive line. Roy returns “anchor” Cade Draper (G/T) on both sides the ball, as well as senior Justus Flores (defensive nose tackle) and Ange Ahui (DE/TE) — two names that’ve stood out to Solomona this summer — to line the walls.
Solomona credits newly hired offensive line coach Noah McGinnis with elevating expectations in the trenches.
“We’re excited for up front,” Solomona said. “In terms of depth, that’s our best. We can utilize anyone rotating there. We’ve had to make some adjustments and new terminologies with his scheme and how he approaches his coaching ability and style. … They’ve accepted everything and done a good job this spring and summer.”
McGinnis, a Roy alum and former assistant at Bonneville for two seasons, arrives following the departure of Mo Cannon for the head coaching job at Weber. Cannon will face off with his former mentor Solomona when Weber hosts Roy in Week 3 on Aug. 30.
As of now, the Royals are still focused on Week 1.
“Staying consistent, staying poised, staying locked in throughout,” Solomona said. “When we don’t have that figured out, we come out to practice and things aren’t as smooth. As soon as we have that handled and locked in, it’s all good. … Every day we step on the field, they have to understand they’ve gotta continue to bring their A-game.”
ROY NOTES
Head coach: Chris Solomona (Third season at Roy)
Last season: 9-3, 6-1 Region 5
Players to Watch:
• Drew Gardner, QB, Senior; 83 completions, 1,196 yards, 12 TDs
• Robert Young, RB/WR/SS, Senior; 54 carries/534 receptions, 373 yards/598 yards, 4 TDs/4 TDs
• Colby Frokjer, K/QB/S, Senior; 5 for 6 PAT, 5 for 9 FGA
• Logan Cella, MLB/RB, Senior; 46 carries, 325 yards, 6 TDs, 60 tackles, 43 solo tackles
• Isaiah Morris, WR/CB, Junior; 14 receptions, 222 yards, 2 TDs
• Kahekili Eleneke, WR/CB, Senior; 11 receptions, 167 yards, 4 TDs
• Rhett Slater, RB/WR/CB, Senior; one reception, 41 yards, 1 TD
• Hunter Webb, OLB/TE, Senior; 59 tackles, 46 solo tackles
• Jaxton Scoffield, OLB/TE/ATH, Senior; 55 tackles, 41 solo tackles
• Ryan Foss, OLB/TE, Senior; 25 tackles, 18 solo tackles
• Cade Draper, G/DT, Senior
• Justus Flores, Nose/G, Senior
• Ange Ahui, DE/TE, Senior
2024 SCHEDULE
Aug. 16 – @ Farmington
Aug. 23 – Fremont
Aug. 30 – Weber
Sept. 6 – Clearfield*
Sept. 12 – @ Box Elder*
Sept. 20 – @ Bonneville*
Sept. 27 – Woods Cross*
Oct. 4 – @ Viewmont*
Oct. 10 – Bountiful*
Oct. 16 – @ Northridge*
*Denotes Region 5 game.
Connect with prep sports reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net and @ctbecker.