Royal Christens New Stadium in Style

Playing for the first time in its new on-campus stadium, Royal High scored 23 unanswered points in the second half to post a 36-21 come-from-behind victory over San Marcos on Friday night in a nonleague game.

Royal, which won only one game last season, utilized a balanced offense led by tailback Steve Sheehan, who rushed for 93 yards in 17 carries. Sheehan, a junior, scored on runs of 23 and nine yards in the fourth quarter when the Highlanders outscored San Marcos, 21-0.

Sheehan’s nine-yard scoring run put Royal ahead for good, 22-21, with 7:16 to play. Bryant Phipps followed with a 10-yard touchdown with 5:01 left to build the Highlanders’ lead to 29-21.

Phipps also scored on a 76-yard reception from Braden Fien in the first quarter and a 30-yard reception from Fien in the second quarter, but Royal trailed at halftime, 21-13.

Phipps, a senior running back, finished with six catches for 140 yards and rushed for 66 yards in 11 carries. Fien completed 11 of 24 for 191 yards and two touchdowns.