Trojans throttle Royals 47-6, retain Taylor Trophy

Yu passes for 4 touchdowns; Howat scores three times, one coming on a dazzling punt return for Auburn

Keegan Yu passed for 208 yards and four touchdowns and Connor Howat caught two TDs and returned a punt 67 yards for another as Auburn retained the Taylor Trophy with a 47-6 rout of Kent-Meridian on Thursday night at Troy Field.

The Trojans improved to 1-2 in the North Puget Sound League Sound Division, 1-5 overall. The Royals dropped to 0-2 and 0-6.

Auburn has won 19 of the last 21 meetings with Kent-Meridian and leads the all-time series, 51-47-13, in the state’s second-longest football rivalry. Only Aberdeen-Hoquiam, which began in 1906, has run longer.

The Royals last held the trophy in 2015.

In addition to his electrifying punt return for a score, Howat caught seven passes for 106 yards. Mark Savitsky caught Yu’s other two TD passes.

Lineman Marquis Phillips returned a fumble for a TD. Eddie Carter had two sacks.

The Trojans racked up 346 yards in total offense and limited the Royals to only 100 yards, 37 of which came on the ground.

Auburn hosts Kentridge next Friday. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

Behind good protection, Auburn quarterback Keegan Yu delivers a pass during the Trojans’ 47-6 victory against Kent-Meridian on Thursday night at Auburn Memorial Stadium. RACHEL CIAMPI, Auburn Reporter

Behind good protection, Auburn quarterback Keegan Yu delivers a pass during the Trojans’ 47-6 victory against Kent-Meridian on Thursday night at Auburn Memorial Stadium. RACHEL CIAMPI, Auburn Reporter