SCORING SUMMARY
Calaveras 0 6 0 0 – 6
Ripon Christian 7 6 7 7 – 27
First quarter
R – Amos Cady 10 pass from Mason Tameling (Aaron van Hofwegen kick), 5:15
Second quarter
C – Cory Cassell 1 run (kick failed), 10:30
R – Tameling 1 run (PAT failed), 1:36
Third quarter
R – Cady 29 pass from Tameling (van Hofwegen kick), 11:22
Fourth quarter
R – Cady 45 punt return (van Hofwegen kick), 10:25R
Defense appears to be the calling card for the Ripon Christian Knights.
So said head coach Phil Grams Friday following his team's 27-6 non-league victory over visiting Calaveras.
RC's defense came up with three turnovers — two interceptions and a fumble over the Red Hawks (2-1) of the Mother Lode League.
Offensively, Amos Cady had a big game with three touchdowns, the last one coming on a 45-yard punt return that all but sealed the deal for the Knights (2-1).
Quarterback Mason Tameling threw for a pair of scores, completing 10 of his 13 passes, including eight straight at one point, for 119 yards and no turnovers.
"Mason is one of smartest guys I've coached," Grams said. "And Amos is just an awesome athlete."
Calaveras (2-1) saw its opening drive thwarted on a fumble recovered by RC defensive lineman DJ Bruno at his own 41.
Working the short field, the Knights' ground attack took from there, marching the ball to the 10. Tameling then connected with Cady for the touchdown.
Calaveras responded with a 65-yard drive, capped off by Cory Cassell's quarterback keeper.
RC quickly bounced back with a nearly nine-minute drive. One of the key plays was Tameling finding Josh Miller on a third-and-long pass play that resulted in a first down.
Tameling provided the capper with a 1-yard scoring plunge, giving his team a 13-6 halftime lead.
The Red Hawks opened the second half with an onside kick that went awry.
RC had the ball at the Calaveras 31, wasting little time as Tameling connected with Cady on a 29-yard TD to up the lead, 20-6.
Carson Cho intercepted a pass to end the Red Hawks' third quarter threat. The other RC interception came late in game by Chase Bunnell.
Early in the fourth, Cady, as a punt returner, fielded the ball at midfield, eluding the coverage while finding room along the sideline on his 45-yard TD return. Aaron Van Hofwegen's extra point kick provided the final score.
Van Hofwegen was also solid on defense, leading the team with nine tackles coupled with a sack. Sergio Rubio also registered a sack.
Bunnell and Cady followed with eight and seven stops, respectively.
In addition, Lushen Sanders led the Knights' rushing attack with 70 yards on 17 carries.
Cody Ferrante of Calaveras had a game-high 75 yards on 10 carries.
Next up for the Knights will be Hilmar back at home in two weeks.
