With Ripon’s 50-7 thrashing of visiting Hilmar at Stouffer Field, the Indians junior varsity notched its second undefeated season in a row and clinched first place in the Trans-Valley League on Friday.
“We told them before the game that once again, just like the week prior against Escalon, we could win and the championship would be ours or we can share — it was up to them,” Ripon coach Brian Corcoran said. “Both weeks they wanted it more, and it was noticed, because the championship isn’t something you ever want to share.
“Every week, we have a few different players step up. This team is full of great football players and even better young men. They have heart, and you can’t teach that. I have been very lucky to coach this small group of kids last two years. We had 18 suit up tonight with two freshmen. I call the offensive plays, but I am a firm believer that defense wins championships, and it did once again tonight.”
Jacoby Salinas (13-of-17 passing, 200 yards) directed the Indians offense with touchdown throws of 39 yards to Nik Vitz (15 yards rushing, 50 yards receiving) and 47 yards to Chris Alfaroards in (20 yards rushing, 52 yards receiving). Gavin Duran (90 yards rushing) tallied 1-, 23- and 20-yard touchdown runs, Vitz ran in a score from 15 yards out and Logan Qualls (80 yards receiving) returned a fumble 80 yards for a score.
Qualls forced three fumbles and recovered one, and Josiah Perez deflected two passes and made three sacks.
Manteca 29, Oakdale 26
Brody Carabello ran for two touchdowns and threw for one to cap the Buffaloes’ undefeated season and first place in the Valley Oak League at The Corral.
“This team has been special all year,” Manteca coach Brian Rohles said. “Going undefeated with our schedule is tough.
“They show up every day with high energy and want to win. I can't remember having a bad day with them. The future is bright for the Buffs!”
Carabello (nine carries, 120 yards) scored on runs of 8 and 40 yards along with throwing a 41-yard touchdown pass to E.J. Johnson (three receptions, 55 yards; five carries, 33 yards). Johnson added a 15-yard scoring run.
Brixton Menchaca-Ortiz tallied 13 tackles for the Buffaloes, Johnson (interception) 12, Camden Rogers and Isaiah Fountain eight each and Bode Hiatt four.
East Union 20, Mountain House 14
Elias Lopez ran for one Lancers touchdown and threw for another, while Austin Lee scored a pair of touchdowns.
Lopez (125 yards passing, 35 yards rushing) started the scoring with a 9-yard touchdown run before hitting Lee (68 yards receiving) with a 2-yard scoring throw. Urijah Lopez then threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Lee. Ryder Tomkins added 51 receiving yards, and Caden Miller 33 rushing yards.
Lopez made two interceptions, Nathan Bettencourt and Jacob Ramirez four tackles each with Tompkins and Rico Ramirez adding three stops apiece. Darren Ellis contributed to the defense.
Ripon Christian 28, Sonora 14
The Knights offensive line of Brett Van Laar, Dominic Bruno, Luke Veneman, Noah Costa, Jonah Costa and Brenden Molloy dominated the Wildcats to help lead visiting RC to the Trans-Valley League victory at Dunlavy Field.
Jax Booth (six carries, 106 yards) scored a pair of Knights touchdowns on runs of 26 and 67 yards while Stadtler Postma (three carries, 34 yards) added two more scores on a 50-yard pass from Talen Tameling (five carries, 52 yards) and on a 2-yard run. Jack Schaapman added 35 yards on four carries and 40 yards on three receptions.
Ripon’s Jax Booth tallied 10 tackles, Noah Costa eight, Tameling seven, Schaapman six, and Charlie Zylstra Luke Veneman and Stadtler Postma five each.
Freshman
Lathrop 20, Beyer 15
Jonathan Jackson’s fourth-quarter touchdown run Thursday helped the Spartans secure their undefeated Western Athletic Conference season at Bennie Gatto Field.
“Beyer came out and played very hard and physical,” Lathrop coach Mark Souza said. “It was a very well-played game by them. They caught us off balanced and capitalized.
“We were able to bounce back and secure the win with the ground game the same way we have done it all season. “It was a great win for us and securing a 10-0 season along with the WAC title will be something these guys will always remember.”
Riley McCurdy got the Spartans on the board with a 20-yard touchdown off of a pass from Rafael Guillen. Jackson (20 carries, 174 yards) then scored on 1- and 6- yard runs. Ruben Maldonado added 44 yards on seven carries.
Manteca 29, Oakdale 26
It was the Santino Sanchez show for the Buffaloes at Guss Schmiedt Field.
Sanchez (32 carries, 296 yards) scored on runs of 2, 3, 9 and 41 yards.
Manteca’s Eli Velasquez (forced fumble) made seven tackles, Jacob Hernandez six tackles, Jaxon Hetrick five, Zack Behrbaum, Ethan Sereno, Junior Evans, Leo Ayala and Sanchez four apiece. D’Angelo Riego blocked a conversion kick and added three tackles.
Ripon 50, Hilmar 7
Jonathan Hernandez was the workhorse for the Indians with three touchdowns in the road win.
Hernandez (14 carries, 262 yards) scored on runs of 21, 33 and 64 yards. Lucas Strahan pulled in touchdown throws from Landon Grijalva (5 of 7 passing, 69 yards) and Kayton Gomes on a halfback pass of 19 yards. Ayden Chao added a 38-yard touchdown run and Jackson DeGraff returned a fumble 55 yards for a score.
Alexander Lopez paced the Ripon defense with eight tackles. Michael Morrison (two forced fumbles) and Kyle Birmingham added five stops apiece and Gomes recovered a fumble.
