Competing in the Trans Valley League, Ripon Christian is no stranger to seeing physical, Wing-T offenses.
The Knights have not seen one like Liberty Ranch’s yet.
The two teams will get acquainted for the first time on Friday for a Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI semifinal in Galt.
Second-seeded Liberty Ranch (11-0) is one of four remaining undefeated teams remaining in the section and held off No. 7 Ripon 30-28 in its opener. No. 3 Ripon Christian (9-2) also had a close call against No. 6 Amador, 28-26.
What separates the Hawks’ run-heavy attack is not so much their talented trio of thousand-yard backs, but the bulldozers in front of them paving the way. Liberty Ranch’s offensive line has size in every spot, experience and still young.
“I think their size is what makes them different,” RC coach Phil Grams said. “They’re really big, and they execute the Wing-T as well as any Wing-T I’ve ever seen as a coach.”
Liberty Ranch has showed no signs of slowing down despite dealing with injuries to its offensive line this season. Six-foot-2, 275-pound junior tackle Daniel Swearingen has been among the casualties, as he suffered a season-ending injury in the Hawks’ big 28-21 win over Bradshaw Christian on Oct 17. That outcome essentially locked up the Sierra Valley Conference championship.
Deshaun Jackson (6-5, 270), Cutler Perez (6-2, 275) and Kyle Quaresma (6-2, 280) are other returning standouts up front. Cesar Becerra (6-2, 255), Gabe Onegbu (6-4, 240) and Jayden Sedlacek (5-8, 240) are battle tested, and 6-3, 250-pound tight end Soni Takafua.
The all-junior backfield triumvirate of Wyatt Corriea (1,086 yards, 13.9 per carry, 13 touchdowns), Joe Lara (1,243-7.9-23) and Andrew Quinn (1,390-8.5-15) are all two-way contributors.
“They have very good running backs, and they execute so well on their offensive line to get things done,” Grams said. “You have to defend all three of them. That’s what makes them tough.
“I think we’ve seen a lot of physicality in the TVL already, so that gets us ready. We’re going to have to make some plays and make some timely stops.”
A win would send Ripon Christian to the final round for the first time since winning the Division VII championship in 2022. Liberty Ranch has previously made one final back in 2015, when Sierra dispatched the Hawks during its run to a state title.
TVL champion and top seed Sonora (11-0) plays No. 5 Bradshaw Christian (9-2) in the other semifinal. The winners meet for the Division V title on Nov. 29 starting 12:30 p.m. at Sacramento City College.
