Ripon finally gets some home cookin’ this week, and for East Union — it’s close enough.
Both split their first two games of the season on the road, and they’ll face off for a third straight year Friday at Stouffer Field.
East Union won the previous two against the Indians and is coming off and encouraging all-around performance at Tennyson. The Lancers have played in Fairfield and Hayward and won’t get to host in their own stadium until the final two weeks of the regular season. Their next non-league contest against Enochs will be “hosted” at Manteca High.
East Union took care of the defending West Alameda County Conference Foothill League champion last week, 30-14. Sophomore quarterback Kirk Simoni (36-of-64, 565 yards, seven TDs) shined again, and receiver/safety Blake Mount had a breakout game with four touchdown catches and an interception.
Speedy sophomores J.P. Abrew (12 receptions, 187 yards, TD) and Jackson Fay (6-86-1) are also dangerous weapons in the Lancers’ spread offense, and third-year standout linebacker Carson Sanders may be emerging as the guy at running back.
Meanwhile, it was tough sledding for Ripon last week in a 43-0 setback at Sonora. The Indians were held to 113 yards of offense, and the defense again surrendered 40-plus points. They held off Linden 49-42 in Week 0 but had their way with the run game, which produced 342 yards (almost 10 per carry) and five touchdowns.
The backfield trio of Xzavier Clark, Xaiden Reyes and Anden Ries will look to get back on track against an EU team that held its own in the trenches against some of Tennyson’s touted linemen.
Here’s a look at the rest of the Week 2 contests for area teams:
Manteca (2-0) at St. Mary’s (2-0): It’s a showdown between the top two teams in San Joaquin County at Sanguinetti Field.
The Rams are second in MaxPreps’ Sac-Joaquin Section rankings after dispatching Central Section power Clovis West 38-28 and Valley Oak League champion Central Catholic, 42-33. Manteca jumped up three spots to No. 5 in the SJS rankings and is coming off an impressive program-wide shutout of Granite Bay. The varsity squad dominated the second half of the SJS Division II championship rematch en route to a 15-0 win. The Buffaloes have also entered the Cal-Hi Sports top 50, checking in at No. 43. St. Mary’s is 15th.
Quarterback Samson Hunkin (21-of-38, 293 yards, two TDs, interception) and running back Asante Carter (41 rushes, 219 yards, six TDs) head a loaded St. Mary’s offense than returned nine starters from its 10-1 2022 team. The Rams were perfect in the regular season last year but upset by Turlock in the SJS Division I playoffs. Sophomore receiver Kenneth Moore III (11 receptions. 126 yards, TD) holds nine offers from NCAA Division I programs. Sophomore back-up QB Devin Rasmussen (7-of-8, 123 yards) has three offers.
Senior defensive back Omari Gayles, committed to Harvard and edge rushers Ryan Gaea and Manaalii Danielson anchor the Rams’ defense.
Golden Valley (1-1) at Sierra (2-0): Just two games in, Sierra has already matched its win total from the last two years combined.
The Timberwolves have some momentum going into their challenging home opener after routing Grace Davis 62-14 in Modesto.
Golden Valley is coming off back-to-back playoff seasons and took care of Sierra 44-21 on its way to an 8-3 finish in 2022. The Cougars of Merced lost much of their top players on both sides of scrimmage, Dynamic receiver/defensive back Jonah White is has returned along with a veteran offensive line featuring 6-1, 280-pound guard Alex Duran. White flashed his ability in the Cougars’ head-turning 20-14 loss to reigning Division 4-AA state champion Escalon in Week 0. He accounted for both of GV’s touchdowns and netted 108 receiving yards.
Weston Ranch (1-1) at Lathrop (0-2): It’s the Spartans’ last chance to get a needed win before their bye week and the start of Western Athletic Conference play.
Their physical Wing-T attack stalled at Bradshaw Christian in a 41-7 loss, and for the second straight week the defense struggled to slow the opposition.
Lathrop hopes to put it all together for the Battle of I-5, which Weston Ranch won last year, 58-34. The Cougars dropped their Week 1 contest at Burbank of Sacramento, 14-8. They opened with a 29-12 win over Waterford.
Third-year lineman Alex Walker leads the Ranch.
Ripon Christian (1-1) at Calaveras (0-2): The Knights were dominant in their home opener against Pajaro Valley of Watsonville and will have an opportunity to continue rolling with the Southern Athletic League schedule looming.
They’re traveling to San Andreas to face a struggling Redhawks program that has lost 13 straight going back to 2021, but it has been more competitive under first-year coach Manny Mossa. Calaveras dropped a 26-6 decision to Carson in Nevada last week despite causing four turnovers, and its lone touchdown came on the opening kickoff of the second half.
