The 2015 Royals football team was only one win away from clinching a spot in the 6A State tournament for the first time ever. The Royals made it all the way to the Round of 16, where they eliminated by Osseo, who went on to win the tournament. The Royals finished the regular season with a record of 3-7.

Though the Royals fell short, they knew that their returning players had a bright future ahead of them.

The Royals are returning eight starters, three offense, and five defensive.

Bennett Van Dellen, senior, is one of the returning starters on offense. Van Dellen is positioned at offensive tackle, and just recently committed to the University of Cornell.

Also returning as starters on offense, Malik Lofton and Deyon Campbell, seniors. Lofton starts as both a wide receiver on offense and cornerback on defense. As for Campbell, he switched positions this year from being a slot receiver, to running back.

Campbell ranks in the top ten returning wide receivers from last year, according to the Star Tribune (mnfootballhub.com). Campbell hauled in seven touchdowns last year, along with stacking up 706 yards of receiving.

Lofton is the only Royals who starts both offense and defense. Lofton ranks in the top 20 receivers returning from last year. Lofton caught four touchdowns, while receiving for 584 yards last season. Lofton also recorded six interceptions in his 2015 campaign.

“It’s a lot of fun playing next to (Lofton), because he is not only a great player, but he is also one of my best friends,” said Tyler Schebloom, senior. “He is a great player and brings lots of leadership and playmaking to the team. He also sets a good example to the upcoming classes.”

Besides Lofton, the defensive returners are: Elvie Johnson, Riley Allen, Sam Oxford, and Boye Mafe, seniors and Matthias Harris, junior.

Allen starts at nose guard on defense, and is one of the five captains for the Royals.

“As a captain I am setting the bar high, we have a ton of potential and I think that if we play to the best of our ability, then we can be the best team in state,” Allen said. “As far as defense we have a lot of talent but we are also inexperienced, so we are going to have to work really hard to be successful this season.”

The Royals start their season off tonight at 7 o’clock against the Coon Rapids Cardinals.  Last years matchup between these two teams resulted in the Royals stampeding over the Cardinals 42-14, as Campbell racked up 196 total yards as he found himself in the endzone twice.