This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Roy quarterback Tyler Skidmore addressed his teammates with a painfully brutal sentiment days before the 4A championship.

"The season is down to one game," he recounted. "If they win, they're champions. If they lose, no one will remember them."

As the seconds dwindled down to zero on Friday, sealing Timpview's 28-7 victory and its third consecutive state title, a delicate chant began to emanate, piercing the silence of the Roy sideline. Growing from chant to roar, the student section screamed:

"We still love you."

Thousand of residents from the Roy community traveled to Rice-Eccles Stadium to watch the Royals play for the state championship for the first time since 1981 — an accomplishment not easily forgotten.

"No I don't," Skidmore said when asked if he believed these Royals would fade from memory. "I said it because I wanted to win really bad. But I hope, and I think, that our fans will love us always. We did leave a mark here at Roy. I love the underclassmen, and I think they're going to do a great job next year."

The senior class potentially helped change the perception of Roy High football forever. The moribund program has returned to its winning ways. The responsibility to continue the transformation now lies with future generations of Royals.

"That story is left to be told on how the underclassmen take it from there," Roy coach Fred Fernandes said. "I think they're going to take it well. We'll try and build from here."

Added receiver Cody Hobbs: "I think we've got our name back. Everyone is going to think of us as a good team. It means a lot to me. It feels good to bring the winning mentality at Roy."

Players glanced toward Timpview's sideline in envy. Some concealed their tears; others let their emotion plainly bubble over. But as Skidmore huddled with his teammates, the pain was about perspective.

"I wish we had this last one, but we'll be alright," he said. "There will be bigger upsets in life. This is nothing."

Moments before breaking the final huddle, Fernandes calmly confirmed what the community had already displayed.

"I'm prouder, than any team I've ever been associated with, for what you did for me, this staff and this community," he said. "It's going to be remembered for a long time."