ROY — After last week's 27-26 close home loss to Jordan, Northridge coach Eric Thompson had several decisions to make on what adjustments to make in preparing for this week's game at Roy.
Perhaps the best decision he made was to pull Alex Froelich off defense to assume an offensive role.
"He was a man on a mission," said Thompson of Froelich who scored four touchdowns in the Knight's convincing 52-22 win. "Last week he got sick and cramped up, he couldn't finish the game. He felt he had something to prove to us."
The Royals were out to prove themselves as well after their opener against Syracuse where they rolled to a 41-6 win over the new team.
"This game could have been pretty scary," Johnson said. "We watched them on film and their offense looked unstoppable. They were just as good in person as they were on film; they are one of the best offenses in the state. The score could easily have been flipped."
Both teams started strong, completing successful drives on their first possessions. It wasn't until the second quarter that the Knights seemed to acknowledge the Royals' threatening offense.
When Kyle Semrow caught his second touchdown pass from Luke Hobbs, the Royals were on top 14-6.
Faced with similar circumstances against the Beetdiggers last week, Blake Smithing mustered a 95-yard kick return for a touchdown. This week it was Froelich that provided the spark that the offensive line needed to get rolling and returned the ensuing kick off 90 yards for the touchdown.
Entering the second half the Royals were trailing by four points, the Knights were able to capitalize on most of their opponent's mistakes and punched in another touchdown. Hobbs took to the air and hit Dallin Harris with a 55-yard pass putting them deep into the Knight's territory. Hobbs scrambled into the end zone to get the Royals back into the game.
The Royals' rally was short lived and Northridge dominated the third quarter, crushing any hope of a comeback. Northridge QB Braden Mitchell matched his counterpart's aerial attach and hit Froelich again with 50 and 37 yard passes as the Knights wrapped up the win.
"Last week I couldn't even play," said Froelich. "I came out with fire and finally played the game that I know I can play."