Ripon won't have the opportunity to defend its Trans-Valley League, Sac-Joaquin Section Division V and California Interscholastic Federation Division IV-AA titles, but that doesn't mean the Indians are taking this abbreviated season lightly.

For them, there's a reputation to uphold.

Ripon and traditional TVL rival Escalon have joined the Valley Oak League for this academic year, and these small-school powerhouses are out to prove they can hang with the big boys.

Ripon and Escalon were part of a three-way share of the TVL crown along with Hilmar in the fall of 2019. Because of state guidelines for youth and high school sports, Hilmar has joined a temporary league with other Merced County schools. Last year, Escalon defeated Hilmar for the SJS Division VI banner and went on to claim the CIF Division IV-A title.

Ripon and Escalon bring their credentials to a VOL that already includes SJS Division III champ Manteca, Division IV champ Sierra and Division IV finalist Oakdale. They'll at least not have to deal with Central Catholic, a private school force that is playing an independent schdule. 

“It's a huge step up for us as far as competition and the TVL is good,” Ripon coach Chris Musseman said. “For our-sized schools, I don't think there's a better league around. We'll be as prepared as we can be, but there are some things numbers-wise and physical-size-wise that will be a great challenge.”

The Indians, who went 14-1 in their historic 2019 run, are venturing into their gauntlet without  the core group of seniors that towed them to the state championship. They've lost eight two-way starters to graduation, including quarterback Nico Ilardi, lineman Caleb Delgado and all-around star Danny Hernandez. 

“The biggest thing we can take away from that group is probably teamwork,” Wood said. “They worked really well as a unit and pushed each other to be the best and didn't tear each other down in any way. We'll try and apply that to our team now and work as one.”

Wood brings valuable experience, even if he wasn't always a starter last year. His versatility was put to use on both ends of scrimmage, especially as injuries ravaged the team in the middle of league. He  had snaps at quarterback, fullback, linebacker and safety. 

This season, he's the man behind center. 

“It's definitely a different offense with Aaron because he's more of a runner,” Musseman said. “We've kind of had to redesign a lot of stuff. Nico was a pure quarterback who stood back there and was in command of everything. Aaron is more of an all-around athlete who let's his legs do a lot of the work.”

Mason Knight (WR/OLB), Austin Bonilla (RB/CB) and Simon DeFreitas (OG/LB) are other returning seniors with championship experience. Ripon will also lean on Caleb Johnston (OG/LB) and Colin Speed (OT/DL), two-way contributors as sophomores last season.

Emiliano Acosta and Camryn Arriola are current sophomores who are expected to help anchor Ripon in the trenches. 

Two other notable newcomers are 6-foot-7, 220-pound tight end Bronson Burrow and receiver/defensive back Malik Taylor, standout basketball players who have joined Ripon's football program for the first time. 

Musseman sees this as a beneficial “trial by fire” season for the sophomores and juniors but said the aim is still to win now for the seniors. 

“We want to be competitive in the VOL,” Musseman said. “We feel like our kids are pretty dang good, it's just a mater of them getting coached up to the competitive at this point. We get to play schools like Oakdale, Manteca, Sierra and East Union — every week we're playing a really good program. That should serve us well when we get back to the VOL.”

Ripon's season begins on Thursday with visiting East Union.