Ripon Christian won just one game in its return to the tradition-rich Trans Valley League last season but proved it can compete in what is widely recognized as the best small-school conference in the state.

The Knights return most of their starters on both sides of scrimmage, and they’re reinforced by key newcomers to form the largest varsity roster to start a season in program history with 27 players.

“I think a lot of us feel a lot more confident and at ease about our preparedness this year,” third-year receiver/safety Amos Cady said. “We put in the work in the offseason, and we’re going to reap the benefits. We know what to expect and what kind of work it takes in the film room, in practice and on Friday nights.

“We know what kind of commitment it’s going to take, and us seniors will lead the charge. We all want to win every game and win championships, and we’ll do what it takes to do that.”

They’ll be challenged at the outset, and it doesn’t get any easier in the TVL. Ripon Christian faces two titans from the Mother Lode League, including California Interscholastic Federation Division VI-A state champion Summerville. The regular season ends at Sonora’s famed Dunlavy Field, home of the reigning CIF Division IV-A titlist.

“We start with a state champion and end with a state champion,” Ripon Christian coach Phil Grams said. “We lost a close one to Summerville last year and made too many mistakes to win that ballgame up there. Then we go up to Calaveras, and they have a very good team coming back. We just keep eking out wins against them, so it won’t be an easy deal to keep beating a team that good.”

The Knights also meet old Southern League rival Le Grand and Mesa Verde of Citrus Heights, which is coming off its first winning season in five years.

“Then it’s the meat grinder after that,” Grams said.

He believes his team is better equipped for the gauntlet with eight offensive starters returning and nine on defense.

Third-year quarterback Mason Tameling orchestrates Grams’ West Coast fly offense and is supported by interchangeable athletes.
“Everyone on this team is a weapon,” Tameling said.

Cady was the team’s top receiver a year ago but looks to be more of a threat in the running game with reps at flyback. Chase Bunnell, lengthy 6-foot-4 target, can slot in at receiver or tight end. He also has experience at quarterback. Flyback/receiver Carson Cho, wide out Daniel Lambdin and tight end Aaron Van Hofwegen are other returning weapons in the passing game. Van Hofwegen is also a special-teams ace. Last year, he made 34 of 36 point-after kicks and three of five field goals.

Leading rusher Lushen Sanders and fullback Blake Stuit return to the backfield and will be joined by Big Valley Christian transfer Jackson Howell.

The experienced offensive line is led by third-year starter Matthew Chapman, Patrick Cory, Sergio Rubio and Braden Schaapman. Juniors Tom Giulian and Miles Pollard got a head start last season as JV call-ups who got to see playoff action.

“This is probably the strongest line I’ve got to play behind throughout my high school career,” Tameling said.

Second-year defensive coordinator Jake Beukelman has four all-league selections back in his 3-5-3 defense. Bunnell, Stuit and Van Hofwegen were the Knights’ three leading tacklers last season, and Cady brings experience and athleticism as their ball-hawking free safety. 

“I think our defense continues to get better,” Cady said. “Last year, there were definitely holes, at times, or we’d get burned out or blank on assignments. This summer, we’re locked in and everybody knows their job. Us seniors who have been playing (varsity) for two to three years know what has to be done in order to win a game, especially defensively.”

Grams said his Knights have to play “mistake-free football” in all phases to turn competitive losses into wins, especially in the TVL. Four of their seven defeats in 2024 were decided by 10 or less points, and they were outmatched against senior-dominated Bradshaw Christian, 55-7, in a Sac-Joaquin Division VI quarterfinal.

“We got a strong taste of what it’s like to be in the TVL,” Tameling said. “Every game is important, and you can’t take any weeks off because all of the teams are very good and very aggressive.

“We’re battle tested from a strong schedule last year and we’re ready to compete this year. Our expectations are to compete for the league title. That’s our vision, and that’s all we’re looking at right now.”

Cady-Tameling connection has been years in the making

By JONAMAR JACINTO

Amos Cady and Mason Tameling have known each other since they were kindergartners at Ripon Christian and grew up playing multiple sports together.

That bond has helped them experience great success as football and basketball standouts at the high school level, but there is a heightened sense of urgency knowing that their run as teammates is coming to an end.

They are heading into their third varsity season on the gridiron and would like to come out on top of the brutally-tough Trans Valley League. The Knights are in their second year back as full-time members of the toughest small-school league in the state. Ripon Christian has claimed the last five boys basketball championships in the TVL, and Cady and Tameling played big roles in the last two.

“We’ve been friends as far back as I can remember … and now we’re seniors, which is crazy to think about,” Tameling said. “It’s happening really fast.”

Both will have expanded roles in coach Phil Grams’ West Coast fly offense.

Cady has the size and athleticism to line up in multiple spots, and he’ll feature more as the flyback. Last season, he finished with a team-high 442 receiving yards and eight touchdowns to go with 215 yards and two touchdowns rushing, but he was limited for several weeks by a high-ankle sprain in a near-upset of eventual league champion Hughson.

Amos got inured in the first half and did not return, as UCLA signee Robert McDaniel led Hughson to a 28-21 come-from-behind win in which the Huskies trailed by two scores at the start of the fourth quarter.

The versatile athlete also stars on defense — he’s an All-TVL first-team free safety and was among Sac-Joaquin Section leaders with seven interceptions in his sophomore year.

“Amos is getting a little bit of interest to play college football at wide receiver, but to me he should be getting looks at defensive back,” Grams said. “If he doesn’t go down in that Hughson game, we win that game. He knows how to sniff out the ball and pick it. Him coming back for our defense is huge, and he’s Mason’s favorite target on offense. We’re going to see him more at flyback this year. He brings a lot to the table.”

Tameling has gained full trust as Grams’ quarterback, and the playbook has expanded to make use of his full capabilities. He completed 57.6 percent of his passes last year for 1,350 yards and 15 touchdowns to nine interceptions, but began to show his potential as a runner and off-schedule playmaker. Tameling rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown in RC’s 21-6 playoff win over Bear River.

“Mason has been in the system for three years, and I hadn’t let him run until the last three games last year when he had a lot of his 300 yards rushing,” Grams said. “We’re going to let him loose throwing and running this year. Mason has great leadership in that position, and he and I are almost thinking the same thoughts.”

Cady and Tameling’s lifelong relationship has allowed them to communicate almost telepathically.

“Having that trust off the field makes it easier to trust the guy on the field,” Cady said. “We’ve played multiple sports together and have a good feel for what we expect from each other. That chemistry has been nailed down in the last four to five years, and we have great timing on the routes.

“It’s great to not have to worry about what each other is thinking. We just know without saying it.”

Tameling credits Cady for helping him improve as a quarterback when they’re on competing sides in practice.

“We get a little competitive in practice, but we have a lot of fun with it,” Tameling said. “I admire how good he is as a defensive back. He reads the ball very well and is aggressive against the run game.

“The fun part is on offense when we get to play together. I know I can always trust him, so I make sure to see where he is on every play. That’s kind of where we are right now. He’s a huge offensive weapon, and now we have him at multiple positions playing different roles. He’s a high-level player on both sides of the ball.”

Both have ambitions to play a sport in college. Cady wants to continue playing football and has attracted Division III programs, so far. Tameling is one of the top boys volleyball players in the SJS, and that will be his sport of choice at the next level.

They’ll eventually go their separate ways, but their bond is unlikely to be broken.

“The ties run deep — he’s like a brother to me,” Cady said. “We hang out outside of school, and I trust him with anything. He’s a great guy. You never hear a bad word about Mason Tameling.”