The remnants of Ripon’s 2019 Division IV-AA state championship team would like to bring back some of the magic that helped those Indians mount their incredible run.

There is much work ahead for the likes of Caleb Johnston and Collin Speed, however. They were two key members of that team as sophomores, but this

 year’s group lacks the experience and camaraderie of its predecessor.

“How selfless that team was, and the atmosphere that team brought to Friday nights,” Johnston said when asked what he remembered most fondly about the 2019 squad. “We can sort of bring that to this team, and hopefully we can have the same kind of success we did our sophomore year.”

The state champions overcame midseason injuries and lack of depth with their strong core of senior leadership headed by star quarterback Nico Ilardi, who essentially grew up with his classmates on the team on and off the field since their youth.

“I really looked up to Nico Ilardi because he took control and was a great leader for that team,” said Dylan DeGraff, Ripon’s current senior QB. He started behind center for the JV team in 2019 and was called up to the varsity late in the season but was sustained a season-ending injury shortly after.

“I hope that I can really prove myself,” DeGraff added. “I’m ready for this opportunity to take it and run with it. I want to be a leader for this team. I really want to be that guy and show everyone we came here to play and win as a team.”

There just hasn’t been much time for the Indians to develop what the 2019ers had two years ago. In the spring, they had two of their five games cancelled by coronavirus health and safety protocols. The games they did get to play ended in defeat.

“We’re young and inexperienced in a sense because of the shortened season last year,” Ripon coach Chris Musseman said. “We do have a lot of kids coming back who played varsity football in the spring but it was not a real season.”

Musseman sees promise with the projected starters on both sides of scrimmage. The issue is depth, and most starters are playing both ways. And to make things more interesting for Musseman, the majority of players in his 26-man roster are linemen.

“The depth in the backfield and skill positions is not good,” Musseman said. “We’re an injury or two away from being in a lot of trouble. It’s tough for us to get through entire games with these guys because almost all of them play (offense and defense), so we’re having to change the way we do things on both sides of the ball to adjust to that.”

One of those changes involves Johnston, an offensive guard and inside linebacker two years ago. He has since moved to the backfield to help fill needs at fullback and wing.

“Caleb will be put in different spots for different reasons, because he’s such a good football player and we have to get him involved,” Musseman said.

Johnston and his burly 6-foot-1, 225-pound frame should help other players coming out of the backfield, including tailback Jack Manning.

“Jack could be a special, the problem we have is that he only played part of one game in the spring last year and the year before he was a sophomore moved up to varsity and he didn’t get a ton of experience because he was in a back-up role behind so many good players,” Musseman said. Manning got hurt in the team’s spring opener against East Union, and illnesses kept him out of the other two contests.

Ripon likely won’t by gun shy in the passing game with two tall receivers standing out in the hybrid Wing-T. Second-year player Bronson Burrow, a 6-7, 235-pound tight end, is drawing interest from Division I programs — “You can’t coach 6-7, 235 pounds that can run,” Musseman said — while the more refined Nolan Young (6-4, 185) is flying under the radar.

“It’s great throwing to big targets,” DeGraff said. “Bronson, Nolan and I have a great connection and we work every day after practice. That is definitely going to be a strength of ours this year.”

How they perform will be contingent on the play up front where the 6-0, 295-pound Speed serves as the anchor. He is flanked by fellow senior Cesar Castellanos and juniors Emiliano Acosta and Camryn Arriola. They, along with Johnston behind them, are also featured in Ripon’s stout 3-3 defensive front.

“They’re the keys,” Musseman said. “What happens with them is what happens with us.”

The 2021 Indians are ready to establish their own identity. 

“Everyone knows us as the team that won state two years ago,” DeGraff said. “We want to prove ourselves. We’re ready to face the challenge with great, experienced guys up front. We can set our own path, blaze our own trail and show who we are. We’re ready to compete.”

AT A GLANCE

RIPON INDIANS

HEAD COACH: Chris Musseman (sixth year)

STAFF: Cole Williams (DC), Jorge Velasco (DC), Mike Merchant (OL/OC), Robert Kissee (RB), Joseph Trout (WR), Brian Wood (DB/WR), Justin Johnson (DL).

KEY RETURNERS: OLB/FB Caleb Johnston (12), OL/DL Colin Speed (12), RB/DB Jack Manning (12), TE/DL Bronson Burrow (12), WR/OLB Nolan Young (12), OL/DL Cesar Castellanos (12), QB/DB Dylan DeGraff (12).

KEY NEWCOMERS: FB/OLB Daniel Espinoza (12), ATH Xavier Clark (10), OL/DL Emiliano Acosta (11), OL/DL Camryn Arriola (11). 

SCHEDULE

Aug. 20 at Tokay

Aug. 27 vs. Mt. Diablo

Sept. 3 vs. W. Ranch

Sept. 10 BYE

Sept. 17 vs. Ceres

Sept. 24 vs. Pacheco

Sept. 30 at Beyer

Oct. 8 at G. Davis

Oct. 15 vs. Johansen

Oct. 22 at Los Banos

Oct. 29 at Mtn. House