Mike Kuhnlenz was disappointed in his team’s effort despite it winning, while Chris Musseman was encouraged by what he saw from his squad in defeat.

East Union ran away with a 28-14 win over Ripon on Friday behind two fourth-quarter touchdown scampers from quarterback Dylan Lee, who is playing through a balky ankle.

“The scoreboard is no indication of how this game actually went tonight,” Kuhnlenz said, adding that his Lancers were “very, very lucky” and that it was Ripon that “deserved to win this game tonight.”

So, what was it exactly that has Kuhnlenz and his coaching staff concerned going into their next game against Modesto power Downey?

“One word: everything,” Kuhnlenz said.

East Union was unable to capitalize on Ripon’s struggles with ball handling, and the defense had trouble getting off the field on third downs. The Indians got away with three fumbles and a bad snap, recovering the loose ball each time. And they were 3 for 3 on third downs in their two scoring drives, converting on running plays.

“It’s frustrating,” Kuhnlenz said. “We set them up all week, ‘hey guys, this is exactly what they’re going to do.’ You have to give credit to them. We knew what was coming; we couldn’t stop it. Hats off to Ripon. They came out and they smacked us in the mouth.”

There were some bright spots for the Lancers.

Lee displayed his playmaking ability in all facets of the offense. He completed 9 of 14 passes for 106 yards and hit Nickolas Luna (three receptions, 46 yards) for a 13-yard score on EU’s opening drive.

Lee also rushed seven times for 41 yards and two touchdowns and even caught two passes for 47 yards. He has transition to quarterback after starring at wide receiver last year.

“I’m down to play wherever,” Lee said. “Whatever he (Kuhnlenz) asks me to do, I’m going to do it.”

Lee played sparingly on defense because of a bothersome ankle injury sustained in June. He is being recruited by Division I universities as a linebacker.

“It’s still sore sometimes, but I’m not going to stop playing because of it,” Lee said.

Back-up quarterback A.J. Vazquez was thrust into action late in the second quarter as Lee nursed the ankle. The first-year senior performed admirably under the circumstances, finishing 10-of-14 passing for 112 yards and a touchdown to Anthony Avelar (four receptions, 51 yards).

“He came in and took command,” Kuhnlenz said. “He comes in off the bench, no big deal, and takes us down and scores. Great kid, does whatever we ask and he showed that tonight.”

Kuhnlenz did not commit to a starting quarterback for next week, saying, “every spot is open every week.” Each QB threw an interception.

Trailing 7-6 at halftime, East Union came out of the locker room energized and set the tone by starting Lee at wide receiver. Vazquez hit him for 33- and 14-yard gains on the Lancers’ first two plays in the third quarter, then found Avelar for the 9-yard score.

“It kind of woke us up and gave us energy,” Lee said of the quick strike to start the half. “We were still nowhere near where we should have been.”

Sophomore receiver/cornerback Blake Mount had a solid varsity debut for EU with six catches, 36 yards and an interception.

Meanwhile, Ripon showed its youth and promise. Sophomore running back Anden Ries paced the Indians’ attack with 71 yards on nine attempts, while junior wingback Zxavier Clark added 50 yards and a touchdown on four attempts. Clark’s 41-yard dash early in the second quarter helped push Ripon ahead, 7-6.

Clark shined defensively, as well, blocking a point-after kick and intercepting a pass. Jesus Ochoa also had a pick.

In the third, Trent Vink (3 of 12, 37 yards) hit Adam Johnston for a short pass, and Johnston bulled his way into the end zone to tie it at 14-14.  

The Indians were at their best running at the East Union defense, but penalties and mistakes stalled the offense. They also had no answer for Lee in the fourth quarter, getting gashed by read-option plays.

“I was actually really happy with the toughness our kid showed, the resilience they had and the ability to adjust on the fly,” Musseman said. “When you have kids who have not played a lot of football, especially almost zero varsity football, to be able to make those on-the-field, in-the-middle-of-the-game adjustments, they did a really good job.

“I’m actually a lot happier with where they are than I thought I would be tonight.”

Ripon will be tested again next week when it plays host to Sonora.