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Knights far from shining in win over Elliot Christian
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RIPON – In a game desecrated with stoppage, after stoppage, after stoppage Ripon Christian exercised the same strengths that allowed them to dictate the first half, in closing out Elliot Christian’s last-ditch effort namely a Brandon Dotinga interception.

His second of the night sealed the deal on the Knights’ 28-13 victory. It was the second season-opening win in as many seasons. Ripon Christian clicked to the tune of 21-0 halftime lead early, but mistake-free football was nowhere to be found for the rest of the game.

“There were just a lot of mistakes,” Ripon Christian head coach John Vander Schaff said. “I bet there were more penalty yards assed than yards gained. That just prolonged the game and we really just ran out of gas at the end.

“But the kids hung in there and other than those two or three plays our defense played well.”

The Knights defense put together a four-pick performance in their 2012 debut. Continuing the red-hot pace that saw the Knights close last season with more than 20 interceptions.

“We don’t know how we do that,” Vander Schaff jokingly admitted. “Last year we had 23 picks for the season and we’re still trying to figure out that one. We’ve talked about it, and then we get four in our first game.”

Dotinga picked off Elliot Christian quarterback Holden Butler’s second pass of the night. It was a trend-setting interception, as the Knights would collect a tip-drill pick on Jared Stuit’s interception.

Andrew Brown would get in on the action for the Knights’ third pick and Dotinga would end Butler’s night with his second.

Dan Vos took a second to get going from the Knights quarterback spot. A series of drops and penalty infractions would not allow Vos a rhythm. He would change that with a touchdown strike to Dotinga. He would go on to find Spencer Hower for a 45-yard touchdown strike to make it 28- 0 with 2:43 in the third.