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KNIGHTS CONQUER SAL RIVAL
Mounting tensions lead to premature ending
Bulletin football 2018
Ripon Christian ball carrier Michael Kamps applies the stiff arm to gain separation from Waterford’s Jacob Hamilton in Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI quarterfinal action Friday. - photo by Photo by WAYNE THALLANDER

RIPON — The Ripon Christian High Knights weren't perfect in their Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI second-round playoff game against visiting Waterford on Friday.
They were good enough to walk away with a 28-0 win behind Michael Kamps' four-touchdown effort.
"Our offensive line dominated," he said. "They opened up some big holes."
The game ended at 8:27 mark in the fourth after officials called the game “for the safety of the players.” That came after penalties mounted and things got chippy between players.
Knights coach Trey Ozenbaugh wasn't too thrilled with the early conclusion.
"We're disappointed that the kids didn't get to finish playing all four quarters," he said.
As for the game, Ripon Christian (11-0), the No. 4-seeded team, needed a little time to get going. No. 12 Waterford, by contrast, had driven the ball to the Knights' 21, only to be denied.
It wasn't until late in the first quarter that RC finally found its footing on offense, taking advantage of the short field.
Outside of a pass play that lost a few yards, the Knights kept the ball in the hands of Michael Kamps, who carried the ball six times, scoring on an 8-yard run with 13.1 seconds left.
Jacob Van Groningen's point-after kick made it 7-0.
That momentum spilled over into the second as Sean McGovern intercepted a Waterford pass at its 24.
RC, with even a shorter field in which to work, wasted little time, making use of an encroachment penalty by the Wildcats en route to Kamps' 11-yard TD run.
Not lost in the shuffle was the play on the defensive side.
"We've allowed the fewest points in the section," Ozenbaugh said.
The Knights kept it that way, rising to the occasion, especially towards the end of the half.
Waterford (7-5), with the ball inside the 10, was frustrated by pair of dropped passes in the end zone while trailing 14-0.
RC senior linebacker Dale Fisher swatted away the fourth-down pass to preserve the shutout.
He and Drew Van Vliet, who also had a pair sacks, both finished with eight tackles.
"That red zone stop ruined their motivation," said McGovern, who led the defense with nine tackles.
Junior linebacker Wyatt Van Vliet had an interception.
Kamps, on offense, finished with 156 yards on 18 carries. He scored on a 1-yard plunge in the third quarter and another from 2 yards out early in the fourth.
RC will be on the road, facing the bracket’s top-seeded team Modesto Christian (10-1) in next week's semifinal clash.

SCORING SUMMARY
Waterford    0   0   0   0 — 0
R. Christian 7   7   7   7 — 28

First Quarter
R — Michael Kamps 8 run (Jacob Van Groningen kick), 0:13.1.

Second Quarter
R — Kamps 11 run (Van Groningen kick), 10:58.

Third Quarter
R — Kamps 1 run (Van Groningen kick), 6:33.

Fourth Quarter
R — Kamps 2 run (Van Groningen kick), 11:57.