With a senior-dominated roster, the Ripon Christian had more depth than usual with nearly 30 players to start the 2025 season.

And for the first time under coach Phil Grams, who is entering his seventh year at the school, there wasn’t a need to have sophomores on the initial roster.

If there was a time to make a splash against its larger public-school rivals, this was it.

In their second year back in the tradition-rich Trans Valley League, the Knights not only proved that they belong. They proved capable of outmuscling some of the heavyweights long known for their physical play.

The unconquerable foil was Sonora, the two-time state champion responsible for two of the 10-3 Knights’ losses — including a 56-18 lambasting in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI final that quickly got out of hand after two prominent players went down with injuries.

Despite the anticlimactic end, Ripon Christian changed how it was perceived. No longer was it the tiny school that could. Among their many highlights was a thrilling 52-49 road win over previously-undefeated Liberty Ranch in the semifinals.

Eleven players were selected to the All-Trans Valley League team, though all of them seniors. Ten of them were two-way players.

The next senior class recognizes there is much to live up to, but it’s also eager to step outside the shadow cast by its predecessor.

“We have some big shoes to fill,” senior captain Tom Giulian said. “We’ve done really well in the TVL the past few years, we just have to keep the legacy going. We’re starting to settle in the TVL; it’s not something new anymore.

“We do have a smaller roster, which could be a worry, but we pulled up three sophomores and we have full faith in them. We may lack depth, but all the positions are filled with good players.”

It’s back to the Ripon Christian of old, with just 22 players going into its opener at Summerville. The future looks more promising depth-wise with 34 underclassmen in the program.

For now, the Knights are embracing the role of underdog as they grind through daunting week-to-week schedule.

“I think people will overlook us, for sure,” senior Josiah Van Vliet said. “There are a few seniors coming back who got a lot of playing time last year, and we have a great incoming junior class, too. I think we can be a problem for any team we play in any given night.”

The offensive and defensive lines may be where RC has the least depth, but they’re also the most experienced position groups on the team. Grams said the offense will go as far as the line takes it.

Mainly a defensive end last season, Giulian got some time as a back-up on the interior of the O-line. He’ll be a full-time starter on both sides, serving as the quick guard.

Center Jeremy Molloy and strong-side tackle Myles Pollard are the lone returning starters on offense. Junior Jarret Van Laar adds some needed bulk at 6-foot-4, 258 pounds.

“Our strength is the offensive line,” Grams said. “We have four really solid guys on that line. If we can find a fifth starter somewhere out of our juniors and a couple seniors, we’re going to be in good shape. We feel good about the offensive line.”

Taking over behind center is the 6-2, 185-pound Van Vliet, who played outside linebacker last year while third-year varsity starter Mason Tameling commanded the fly offense at quarterback.

He played the position for two years at the lower levels and was efficient in his few varsity reps as a junior.

“Josiah just loves football and loves to work,” Grams said. “I think we’re going to be in good hands there.”

A two-year starter as an underclassman in baseball, the 6-3, 180-pound Stadtler Postma serves as Van Vliet’s back-up after playing QB for the JV team. Grams will make use of his size and athleticism at wide receiver.

Running back Jax Booth and receiver Talen Tameling are other juniors expected to make immediate contributions at the skill positions. Both were called up for the postseason last year, though Booth had to play a few varsity games earlier because of injuries to upperclassmen.

Joining Booth in the backfield is senior Brayden Hughes, a powerful 5-10, 191-pound fullback making his return after bowing out with a season-ending knee injury two weeks into the 2025 campaign. Senior Mason Clark assumes the flyback role.

“I really like our receiving corps this year,” Van Vliet said. “We’re young with new juniors who are great athletes on the outside and the slot. We have a couple juniors in the backfield who are very explosive runners. I’m not too worried about our offensive production. I think we’ll be able to go out and put up some numbers every week.”

All of the aforementioned players will also feature on defense, although Van Vliet is likely to focus more offensively as quarterback.

Sophomore Jeremiah Lambdin is an intriguing two-way prospect. The 6-4, 199-pound athlete will play tight end and defensive end. He already has varsity experience from basketball after getting pulled up from the lower levels as a freshman.

Elijah Lambdin (receiver, cornerback) and Jack Schaapman (fullback/inside linebacker) are other sophomores playing up to provide depth.

“We don’t have too many returners (on defense), but there are some great athletes coming up,” Giulian said. “Stadtler Postma has size and speed playing rover for us, and we’ll have good size on the D-line with Myles and Jeremy as tackles. We did pretty good in 7-on-7s, so I think our defense has been on par with where we were the past two years. There isn’t anything I’m worried about.”

It all just comes down to health for this band of 22, which came up with “Bound in Brotherhood” as its theme for the season. Though small in numbers, it’s a close-knit group of student-athletes that grew up together at school and sports.

Maintaining health will be a challenge as the Knights navigate a difficult schedule. They’ll be well tested by the time they get to league, getting reacquainted with the likes of Mother Lode League powers Calaveras and Summerville, which each have a state championship in the last two years.

Ripon Christian has also added large-school opponents coming off playoff berths in Stagg (8-3) and Pionner (7-4).

“With 22 guys, it’s going to be about staying healthy,” Grams said. “Last year, it was nice to have backups for the first time in the history of our program. It’s back to the old days where we’d have 20-22 every week.

“Having a good offensive line helps in the TVL, and we’re going to have to run the ball.”