Ripon stumbled to a 5-7 record in 2022, dropping four of its final five games.

And coach Chris Musseman came away highly encouraged.

Injuries and a lack of depth at key positions forced underclassmen to be thrust into big games at the end of the season, and they proved to be up to the task.

They ended the regular season with a 21-19 loss to eventual Division V-AA state champion Hughson, coming back from a 21-0 halftime deficit only to come up short on the 2-point conversion midway through the fourth quarter.

The following week, Ripon trailed 24-7 against Rosemont but rallied for an astounding 35-30 victory in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V playoffs.

Then the Indians gave No. 1-seeded Sutter all it could handle before ultimately falling 14-0 in the quarterfinals. It was a scoreless dogfight until the Huskies finally broke through with a short touchdown pass with 5 seconds left in the third quarter.

“I think it helps that a lot of the kids who played in those games, even if they didn’t start, were younger guys who got a lot of reps,” Musseman said. “We had 3-4 sophomores on the field on the defensive side for the playoffs, even though they were on the JV most of the year.”

Much of the returners are at the skill positions, where there is more depth and versatility. The team is a work in progress in the trenches, however.

Here’s a look at the 2023 Indians:

Offense: Ripon struggled in the back half of the season after an injury to then-sophomore tailback Anden Ries left the Indians without a plowing between-the-tackles rusher.

That should not be an issue this year.

Ripon now has a stable of athletes in every spot in the backfield, and with talented receivers and improving quarterback the Wing-T attack has potential to be far more potent. Last year, the Indians leaned on dynamic wingback Xzavier Clark to spark the offense, especially after Ries went down with a knee sprain.

“I think we definitely have weapons to be reckoned with,” Clark said. “We have so much speed and talent coming up from JV that people don’t even realize we have. With Anden being back and his ability to just bulldoze over people, it’s going to be much better for us.”

Musseman expects for the offense to be more balanced with the emergence of Ty Herrin at quarterback. The 6-foot-3 senior, who was a lineman in the lower levels, has worked on getting better in all aspects of the position. He’ll have talented targets in 6-2 Jesse Ochoa and 6-1 second-year junior Brett Shaw.

“He has come a long way not just physically and how he throws the ball, but in overall leadership and understanding what we’re trying to do,” Musseman said.

While set at the skill positions, Ripon has some big holes to fill up front after three-year, all-league selection Camryn Arriola anchored an all-senior offensive line.

This year’s group lacks the size, depth and experience of its predecessor but is aided by junior fullback Cade Escalante and 6-2, 240-pound senior tight end Owen Wilbur.

“A lot is going to depend on how fast we can get those guys to come around and do it,” Musseman said of the makeshift offensive line, which includes two tight ends who were shifted to the interior and some sophomores. “That is definitely where we need the most work.”

Defense: Ripon graduated much of its defensive front, but there is talent returning at every level.

Ries and Shaw were starting inside and outside linebackers, respectively, as sophomores. Defensive back Dru Orlando and lineman Tipeti Paini, a freshman last year, impressed after their late-season call-ups.

“We still kind of are a younger group,” Ochoa said. “We lost some big guys on the line, but we’re a little more physical this year. That’s something the coaches wanted more from us last year. I think we’re a lot more aggressive this year. Everybody’s just amped and ready to play some football.”

Clark and Ochoa lead the defensive backfield. Ochoa was among state leaders last year with eight interceptions.

Senior Mikey Herrera is back to anchor the D-line after suffering an early season-ending injury. Senior linebackers Austin Foster and Austin Wood will have expanded roles, as is second-year junior Logan Lefebvre.

Schedule: The Indians have added two new non-league opponents to strengthen their overall schedule.

It starts Week Zero at Linden, a small school that returns much of its offensive weapons after finishing as runner-up in the Division II San Joaquin Athletic Association.

Ripon also picked up reigning Sierra Valley Conference champion Liberty Ranch in Week 5 following its bye. Liberty Ranch was also the No. 3 seed in the SJS Division V playoffs.

“It’s a good challenge for us to play some better teams,” Musseman said. “We’re going to see some different kinds of offenses and defenses, which is good preparation for our league. Playing in the TVL, you have to play some tough preseason games, or you’re not going to survive.”

The rest of the pre-league slate is filled with familiar foes. The Indians tangle with future TVL member Sonora for a ninth straight season (not counting the COVID year) and will look to avenge back-to-back competitive losses to East Union. They’ll also see Calaveras for a sixth consecutive year.