Make it three straight wins for the surging Ripon football team, which mauled Modesto Christian 56-12 Friday at Roy Blakely Field.
Things went more smoothly for the Indians (3-2) on the opening day of Trans-Valley League play, as fellow tri-champions Hilmar and Escalon needed to come from behind to beat Livingston and Hughson, respectively. Ripon hosts Hilmar next week.
Modesto Christian (0-3) slugged it out with the Indians at the start before giving up 35 unanswered points.
Daniel Espinoza led Ripon’s ground attack with 113 yards and four touchdowns on 16 carries. Caleb Johnston ran 12 times for 98 yards and a score. Ethan Day and Adam Barrera each contributed a rushing touchdown, as the Indians totaled 282 yards on the ground and 50 through the air between quarterbacks Daniel DeGraff and Trent Vink.
Outside linebacker Nolan Young padded the lead with a fumble return in the third quarter.
Ripon Christian 53, Riverbank 0
Sophomore Grant Sonke burned Riverbank (0-3) for 81 yards rushing and three total touchdowns as the Knights (3-1) shift their focus on their upcoming Southern Athletic League game with Orestimba. One of those touchdowns was an 81-yard pass play.
Micah De Jong contributed 73 rushing yards, 48 receiving and two TDs. Ethan McGovern added 71 yards and a score, while recent JV call-up Cade Gemmell had a short-yardage TD. Quarterback Trey Fasani completed 9 of 15 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns. The offense totaled 504 yards.
Alex Sonke paced the defense with eight tackles and a sack. Zach Brouwer had five stops.
The Lancers (3-2) had an early spark at The Corral in the form of a 73-yard touchdown scamper from quarterback Luke Weaver, but the rest of the Valley Oak League opener belonged to unbeaten Oakdale (4-0).
Kevin Camelin answered EU’s first touchdown with an 81-yard sprint to the end zone on the ensuing kickoff, putting the Mustangs ahead for good at 14-7. It snowballed from there for East Union, which was victimized by a 52-0 flurry.
Camlin finished with three touchdowns along with 64 yards on 10 carries. Yahir Ayala ad 12 carries go for 83 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Jackson Holt balanced the Mustangs’ Wing-T, tallying 125 yards, three TDs and an interception on 9-of-16 passing. He threw two touchdowns to Jack Kjeldgaard and completed another to Mick Merzon (six receptions, 72 yards).
Oakdale was able to limit Weaver in the passing game, as he finished 19 of 33 for 162 yards and an interception. He was sacked six times but was able to make plays on the run, finishing with 124 yards on 10 rushes. Dylan Lee (three receptions, 75 yards) and Jacob Toste (seven receptions, 35 yards) were Weaver’s top targets. Johntae Maggard capped scoring with a 33-yard touchdown.
BOYS WATER POLO
Sierra at McNair Tournament
The Timberwolves split their first two games of the tournament Friday, beating Calaveras 15-7 before dropping an 11-5 decision to Patterson.
Mitch Van Zwaluwenburg led Sierra with five goals, and Gabriel Monasterio added four in the win. Jacob Morrow and Jeremiah Nunez scored two each, while Troy Morrow and Erfan Ballew had one apiece. Sierra broke it open with an 11-1 run.
Against Patterson, Van Zwaluwenburg and Monasterio netted two goals each. Nunez scored one. Sierra begins Day 2 today against host McNair.
