RIPON — Ryan Gollinger has never played on the same football team with big brother Owen.

He may soon get the chance.

On Friday, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Ripon High lineman affirmed his commitment to play for Presentation College. Friends, family, coaches and school administrators joined him on his brief signing ceremony in front of the North Gym entrance.

Owen Gollinger graduated from Ripon in 2018 and is currently a sophomore at Presentation. He plays center for the Saints. Presentation is a Catholic college in Aberdeen, S.D. and competes in the North Star Athletic Association of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Ryan also considered Waldorf University of Iowa and Stanislaus State. Waldorf has a competitive football program but lacks a nursing program. Stanislaus State is close to home and is one of the top nursing schools on the West Coast but does not have football.

“Presentation was always on my mind from the beginning,” Gollinger said. “It was a tough decision but my brother goes there and they have a really good nursing program. Plus, they believe in me. They were really good to me when I visited.”

Gollinger plays tackle for Ripon but is likely to move to the interior of the Presentation's offensive line. Ripon coach Chris Musseman said Gollinger will have a chance to compete for playing time in his shortened senior season that is expected to begin next week. Gollinger contributed as a reserve last tear when the senior-laded Indians won the California Interscholastic Federation Division 4-AA championship.

“They're getting a great kid who has the size you can't coach,” Musseman said. “He has got some things to work on but if he keeps working hard he's going to be good for them.”

Gollinger is relieved to have a senior season to prove himself, understanding that Presentation is taking a chance on him. 

“I get to show them over there that I can be good for them,” he said. “I also want to prove to myself that I can do it after working through COVID and everything.”