Ripon hobbled into its homecoming game Friday missing important two-way players to injuries, and it only got worse during the 35-0 Trans-Valley League loss to Hilmar.

The Yellowjackets’ swarming defense held dynamic wingback Xzavier Clark to just 13 yards from scrimmage on 10 touches before he was knocked out of the game with a knee injury midway through the third quarter.

Defensive back Jesse Ochoa, who had an interception, was shaken up after multiple plays. He’s also the top receiver for Ripon (1-1 TVL, 3-4 overall) as well as its punter and place kicker.

Already out with knee injuries were Jehren Arriola and Anden Ries.

“We’re trying to scramble around with different pieces,” Ripon coach Chris Musseman said. “We have a lot of guys hurt. From last Friday to this Friday, a kid who starts at middle linebacker and guard (Arriola) is out, and a starting fullback and linebacker (Ries) is out. Those are pretty key pieces.

“It’s not an excuse, we still have to execute better. I didn’t do a good job with our offense this week. We tried to do some things to try and fill pieces in and we just didn’t execute well at all.”

Ripon struggled on both sides of scrimmage, especially at the start. After the offense went three-and-out, the defense gave up a 67-yard touchdown to Caden Bailey, Hilmar’s multi-threat star who was untouched on his way to the end zone on the option keeper.

Bailey and most of the Yellowjackets’ starters only played three quarters. He still finished with 188 yards and two touchdowns on 14 rushes. Running back Logan Cardoso also had 14 carries, ending with 97 yards and a score.

Merek Ellerd, who splits snaps with Bailey behind center, hooked up with Caden Wood for a 10-yard touchdown, and reserve Tanner Westmoreland scored on a 3-yard run with 5:00 remaining to put the running clock in play.

“We lined up wrong on the first (defensive) play and they made us pay,” Musseman said. “Then we made an adjustment after the second touchdown, and we were fine after that. Our defense did great, but they just can’t be out there all night.”

Hilmar (2-0, 5-2) led 21-0 after the first quarter but was slowed by penalties and turnovers. Ripon’s defense had two takeaways, the other being Nathan Gaines’ fumble recovery after Nathan Curless chased down Bailey on a 27-yard run and jarred the ball loose.

The Indians offense could only muster 110 yards, however, and its normally productive run game was held to six yards. Ty Herrin completed seven of 17 passes for 104 yards and two interceptions. Cardoso and Wood came up with the picks for the Yellowjackets, both coming in the first quarter.

One positive for the Indians was the efforts of 6-foot-3, 240-pound tight end Owen Wilbur, who contributed 69 yards on four receptions.

“Owen’s a good football player, he really is,” Musseman said. “He fights hard and I love him for that. We asked a lot of him tonight for a kid who is only playing his second year of football.”