Royal Oak run game routs Berkley 37-0 in rivalry matchup

ROYAL OAK — Confidence has been the point of focus for Royal Oak football this season, and the Ravens continue to be on the right track toward success.

For Royal Oak coach Colin Campbell, who previously coached junior varsity for Royal Oak, the team’s confidence is built on the ground-and-pound mindset, and Royal Oak (3-5) showed every ounce of it in its 37-0 win over neighborhood rival Berkley (0-8).

“For us, one of my big goals this year was regaining some confidence and a little bit of swagger,” Campbell said. “To me, that’s just through our run game.”

On Oct. 13 at Royal Oak High School, Royal Oak rushed for 324 yards behind five rushing touchdowns from seniors Anthony Garcia, Steven Johnson, and Michael Herman.

Royal Oak has rushed for 150 yards or more in seven of its eight games this season, and the offensive line deserves significant credit for continuing to hold the trenches.

Garcia and Johnson each tallied a touchdown in the first quarter to take an early 14-0 lead, and Garcia and Herman would both tack on another score in the second quarter to make it 27-0 at halftime.

Garcia rushed for 95 yards and three touchdowns while Johnson added 150 yards and a score on the ground.

Falling to Troy Athens 38-37 in overtime just a week prior, it was a great turnaround for a Royal Oak team that is starting to find itself this season.

Campbell has been familiar with this squad through his time as the junior varsity head coach, and Campbell said that familiarity has translated onto the field this season.

“We’re in a good spot mentally,” Campbell said. “I coached these guys when this group were sophomores and freshmen, and we went 7-2, which JV doesn’t really mean anything on the varsity level. I tried to remind them what they’re capable of, and it was important for me to put on some of those JV films and say, ‘Hey, look what you were able to do.’ We got to remind ourselves of that and that we’re capable of being a really great football team.”

Royal Oak will end its 2023 campaign against a tough Madison Heights Lamphere squad, who also favors the run game, on Oct. 20 at Lamphere High School.

After tallying only three wins the past two seasons, Royal Oak’s players should hold their heads high on the progress they’ve made this year, and they’ll look to put one final stamp on the season against Lamphere.

Berkley will host St. Clair Shores Lakeview on Oct. 20 to end its 2023 season.