DELHI – Ripon Christian registered its first victory of the season on Friday.
More importantly, it was a Southern League win.
The Knights needed a second-half surge to roll past Turlock Christian at Delhi High, 39-13.
“We finally got the monkey off our backs,” RC coach John Vander Schaaf said.
The Knights trailed at half-time, but received a boost on Zach Davis’ 20-yard field goal that kept things close.
Behind 13-10, Ripon Christian (1-4, 1-7) also relied on the element of surprise with an onside kick, with Adam McKay recovering the loose ball.
That play set-up Isaac Norman’s 63-yard touchdown run – his longest run from scrimmage this year – that put the Knights ahead.
“I think that (sequence) was the turning point,” said RC coach Vander Schaaf.
Moments later, James Vander Schaaf had a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Davis applied the finishing touches in the fourth quarter, connecting on an 18-yard field goal, hauling in a 45-yard touchdown pass from James Vander Schaaf, and breaking loose on a 46-yard scoring run.
From the onset, Ripon Christian was faced with a familiar pattern, falling behind on Chase Gonzalez’s 23-yard touchdown pass from Nick Turax.
James Riley added a 1-yard scoring run for Turlock Christian.
“We challenged our guys at half-time,” said coach John Vander Schaaf.
His young players responded in an impressive manner, outscoring Turlock Christian, 29-0.
Defensively, the Knights were led by play of inside linebacker Elijah English, who finished with nine tackles.
Jordan Goslinga also chipped in, registering six tackles with two sacks.
In addition, James Vander Schaaf had a pair of interceptions and five tackles.
Ripon Christian returns home next week to face Delhi at Stouffer Field.
More importantly, it was a Southern League win.
The Knights needed a second-half surge to roll past Turlock Christian at Delhi High, 39-13.
“We finally got the monkey off our backs,” RC coach John Vander Schaaf said.
The Knights trailed at half-time, but received a boost on Zach Davis’ 20-yard field goal that kept things close.
Behind 13-10, Ripon Christian (1-4, 1-7) also relied on the element of surprise with an onside kick, with Adam McKay recovering the loose ball.
That play set-up Isaac Norman’s 63-yard touchdown run – his longest run from scrimmage this year – that put the Knights ahead.
“I think that (sequence) was the turning point,” said RC coach Vander Schaaf.
Moments later, James Vander Schaaf had a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Davis applied the finishing touches in the fourth quarter, connecting on an 18-yard field goal, hauling in a 45-yard touchdown pass from James Vander Schaaf, and breaking loose on a 46-yard scoring run.
From the onset, Ripon Christian was faced with a familiar pattern, falling behind on Chase Gonzalez’s 23-yard touchdown pass from Nick Turax.
James Riley added a 1-yard scoring run for Turlock Christian.
“We challenged our guys at half-time,” said coach John Vander Schaaf.
His young players responded in an impressive manner, outscoring Turlock Christian, 29-0.
Defensively, the Knights were led by play of inside linebacker Elijah English, who finished with nine tackles.
Jordan Goslinga also chipped in, registering six tackles with two sacks.
In addition, James Vander Schaaf had a pair of interceptions and five tackles.
Ripon Christian returns home next week to face Delhi at Stouffer Field.
