Defense helped spark Sierra’s offense in a 30-7 bounce-back win over visiting Grace Davis on Friday.

The Timberwolves (1-1), who had a tough loss to Lathrop last week, forced two turnovers late in the first quarter — an interception by safety A.J. Chapman, and a fumble recovery by Rudy Barney.

The first takeaway led to the first of three touchdown passes from quarterback Zak Willson. His first scoring connection was a 50-yarder to Taylor Rowe with 3:54 left.

After Barney’s recovery, Sierra struck again in the final minute of the opening period when Willson hit Rowe for an 8-yard touchdown on fourth-and-6.

Willson later completed a 34-yard TD toss to the 6-foot-6 Chapman, giving the T’wolves a 21-7 halftime lead.

The defense pitched a second-half shutout, as Sierra padded its lead with Trevor Sutton’s 34-yard field goal in the third quarter and Ryan Reyes’ 4-yard scamper midway through the fourth.

Grace Davis (1-1), which stunned Hilmar last week, scored its lone touchdown in the second quarter on Izmael Sanchez’s short-yardage run.

Sierra returns to Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium for a third straight week next Friday, Sept. 6 when Modesto (0-1) visits.

Ripon Christian 23, El Capitan 13

In Merced, the Knights (1-1) got their run game in gear, while the defense shut out El Capitan (1-1) in the second half.

The host Gauchos had some momentum built up, coming off their best season in the program’s short history and a landslide win in Nevada last week. They surged out the gates Friday thanks to Lorenzo Peters’ 75-yard touchdown on the opening kickoff.

Then, Lushen Sanders and Ripon Christian went to work. The junior running back piled up 71 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries. Amos Cady, (10 rushes, 67 yards; two receptions, 12 yards) and Trevor Van Elderen (six rushes, 45 yards) also keyed the attack.

Aaron Van Hofwegen capped the final score with a 21-yard field goal 10 seconds in the final period.

Chase Bunnell paced the defense with 14 tackles, two for losses and a sack. Blake Stuit, Cady and Van Hofwegan each had six tackles.

Ripon 10, Enochs 7

After getting shut out for three quarters, the Indians (1-1) escaped Modesto with the win thanks to Ricky Langenfeld’s 30-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter.

Ripon tied the game on its previous possession, which ended on Nathan Curless’ 4-yard touchdown run. Langenfeld hit the point-after kick.

Johnny Staggs connected with Anthony Brown for a 31-yard pass and Enochs’ lone touchdown late in the first quarter.