New Royals step up, beat Kokomo

A new set of Hamilton Southeastern Royals took to the football field on Friday and got a chance to show what they could do.
They did plenty during a 24-2 win over Kokomo at the Wildkats’ field.
The Royals scored two touchdowns in the first quarter, both on the ground. New quarterback Cody Huppenthal punched the ball in from the one-yard line early in the period, then Lance Stephens zoomed in from the 18-yard line late in the quarter.
Tyler Melser made both extra point kicks, and added a long field goal midway through the second quarter. Melser kicked it in from 44 yards.
Malik Sims scored HSE’s final touchdown, a six-yard run late in the third period. The only thing that stopped Southeastern was a second-quarter safety by the Kokomo defense, but that turned out to be a speed bump.
Stephens gained 108 yards in 19 carries. Huppenthal had some nice yardage, with 37 yards passing and 35 yards rushing in his debut. Sims had three receptions.
The Royals will go back on the road next Friday, playing at North Central.