When Ryan Charlton and Jace Barnes were freshmen, the King’s Way football team had a winless season a year after the program did not play in 2020.

On their home court Friday, after a 33-7 win over Castle Rock, the seniors marveled at how far King’s Way has come since then.

Not only was Friday’s win the first against Castle Rock for the senior class, it also clinched a Class 1A playoff berth for the second time in three years.

There was no secret formula to the success the King’s Way Christian football team relied on.

“At the end of the day, it comes down to work,” Charlton said. “We work hard and we get better every year.”

Hard work and a defense that forced five turnovers Friday and held the Rockets scoreless after the first quarter.

“It’s just a bunch of guys on that side,” said Barnes, who plays linebacker. “I’ve been growing up with them since first grade. It’s nothing but camaraderie and physicality on the football field.

Owen Paulsen threw for 221 yards and three touchdowns, including two to Asher Wyckoff. He also had a 51-yard touchdown to Caleb Silva.

If King’s Way (5-3, 3-3) beats winless Fort Vancouver in next week’s regular-season finale, the Knights will be no worse than the Trico League’s fourth seed for the playoffs. playoffs. King’s Way could find itself in a three-way tie for third place if Castle Rock eliminates Kalama.

Castle Rock (5-3, 3-3) is also playoff-bound thanks to the eight-team Trico League owning five of District 4’s eight playoff spots. The five-team Evergreen Conference , obtains the other three places.

Castle Rock struck first when Trevor Rogen hit Aiden Mead in stride for a 65-yard touchdown.

But King’s Way answered on the next drive when Paulsen found Wyckoff for a touchdown on third-and-goal from the 6-yard line.

The Knights’ best deep play threat gave his team a 13-6 lead just before halftime. Silva got behind his defender and completed a touchdown pass for the fourth straight game.

Chalton extended the lead to 19-7 on an 11-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. He finished with 117 yards for his third 100-yard rushing performance in the last four games.

King’s Way extended the lead in the fourth quarter when Wyckoff completed a 31-yard touchdown pass. Barnes, who entered Friday with just seven carries this season, capped the scoring with a 2-yard run shortly after breaking off a 42-yard run.

CHRISTIAN KING WAY 33, CASTLE ROCK 7

Castle Rock 7 0 0 0—7

King’s Path 0 13 6 14—33

First trimester

CR – Aiden Mead 65 pass from Trevor Rogen (Triston Olin kick)

Second trimester

KW – Asher Wyckoff 6 passes from Owen Paulsen (kick from Caleb Silva)

KW – Caleb Silva 51 pass from Paulsen (missed kick)

Third trimester

KW – Ryan Charlton 11 points (failed pass)

Fourth trimester
KW – Wyckoff 31 pass from Paulsen (Silva kick)

KW – Jace Barnes run 2 (Silva kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – Castle Rock: Dionicio Guzman-Cruz 12-94, Trevor Rogen 10-18, Jacob Lefever 2-14, Thatcher Heller 1-2, Owen Langdon 3-25. King’s Way: Ryan Charlton 19-117, Jace Barnes 5-70, Owen Paulsen 4-0, Grayson Bagley 1-(minus-3).

PASSAGE – Castle Rock: Trevor Rogen 14-31-1-141. King’s Way: Owen Paulsen 17-34-2-221.

RECEIVING – Castle Rock: Jacob Lefever 4-62, Thatcher Heller 3-14, Landon Fulton 3-35, Owen Langdon 1-4, Aiden Mead 2-76, Dionicio Guzman-Cruz 1-0. King’s Way: Asher Wyckoff 5-66, Ryan Charlton 4-33, Caleb Silva 2-59, Sam Somarakis 3-37, Rylan Richter 1-10, Mitchell Roane 1-4, Grayson Bagley 1-5.