GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Hope International used an early defensive takeaway, a sharp passing game and four interceptions on defense to defeat Simpson 44-8 on Thursday at the Arizona Cardinals Flag Football Campus, sending the top-seeded Royals into the Great Southwest Athletic Conference championship game against La Sierra.

The Royals took control almost immediately. On the opening sequence, Madison Powell intercepted Sophia Wright and returned it 17 yards to the 2-yard line, setting up a short touchdown drive. Anahi Morales then connected with Ja'Niya Haley for a 2-yard score at the 10:36 mark of the first quarter. Later in the quarter, Haley added a 1-yard rushing touchdown to cap a 41-yard drive as Hope International built a 12-0 lead.

Hope International widened the gap in the second quarter behind Morales, who continued to direct an efficient offense. She scored on a 5-yard run and later added an 8-yard rushing touchdown, helping the Royals carry a 25-0 lead into halftime. Hope International finished with 306 yards of total offense on 45 plays, compared with 137 yards on 40 plays for Simpson, and did not commit a turnover.

Simpson produced its best stretch after halftime. Wright led a 65-yard drive in the third quarter and found Kylie Schultz for a 19-yard touchdown with 6:58 remaining in the quarter. The Red Hawks converted the 2-point attempt to trim the deficit to 25-8. Schultz was Simpson's top target all afternoon, finishing with eight catches for 71 yards and the team's only touchdown, while Wright threw for 137 yards.

Any opening for Simpson closed late in the third quarter. Facing fourth down, Morales found Ana Sedic for a 20-yard touchdown with 37 seconds left in the quarter, pushing the margin to 32-8. Sedic finished with 61 receiving yards and a touchdown, and Jazmine Simental added five receptions for 53 yards as Hope International kept moving the ball through the air.

The fourth quarter belonged to the Royals' defense. Larissa Perez stepped in front of a pass and returned the interception 20 yards for a touchdown, one of four interceptions forced by Hope International. Nia Gille later capped the scoring with a 3-yard rushing touchdown. Morales finished 20 of 27 for 187 passing yards and two touchdowns, while adding 41 rushing yards and two more scores.