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Ripon Christian clinches title vs game Le Grand
Bulletin football 2019
Ripon Christian’s Nolan Lingley looks down field while offensive lineman Garrett Bryan helps him avoid the pass rush against visiting Le Grand. - photo by GARY JENSEN/GreatShots.SmugMug.com

By HEATHER CAMPBELL-O’BRIEN
Bulletin Correspondent
RIPON —Ripon Christian sent off its seniors in style with a 35-7 victory over the Le Grand Bulldogs Friday night, also clinching at least a share of its second straight Southern League title.
“I am really proud of our seniors,” Knights coach Randy Fasani said. “It is our senior night and we had 13 seniors get honored.”
One of those seniors was Sean McGovern, who led Ripon Christian (6-0 SL, 8 -1 overall) with four touchdowns behind 20 carries for 133 yards as well as five receptions for 41 yards. He also returned an interception for 30 yards.
“They came out pretty physical,” McGovern said. “More physical then I think we were ready for and they kind of smacked us in the mouth a little bit.
“But we came back in the second half ready to go and we played our kind of football and put it on them.”
Ripon Christian quarterback Nolan Lingley, also honored at senior night, completed 10 out of 12 passes for 128 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Van Groningen in the fourth quarter.
“We came out a little flat,” Lingley said. “But we are a second half team, and we usually dominate in the second half.
“They were a better team than we have seen in a while and it was a good tune up for playoffs. We are excited to head into D6 (Division VI) and do what we can do.”
Le Grand (3-3, 5-4) kept the game close until halftime, trailing just 14-7 going into the third quarter only for the Knights to then take control of the game and pull away.
“I want to give a lot of respect to Le Grand,” Fasani said. “I don’t know if they are going to make it to the playoffs, but they treated tonight like their playoff game.”
Senior Wyatt Van Vliet led the Knights out 11 tackles. Garrett Bryan added 10 tackles and Seth Gallo nine. Caleb Terspma returned an interception 40 yards.
Ripon Christian travels to winless Delhi next Friday for its final league game of the season and looks to secure sole possession of its championship.

SCORING SUMMARY
Ripon Christian 14 0 7 14 — 35
Le Grand    0 7 0   0 — 7
 
First Quarter
R—Sean McGovern 5 run (Caleb Terpsma kick), 8:25
R—McGovern 4 run (Terpsma kick), 4:04
 
Second Quarter
L—Gavin Hernandez 28 run (Alfredo Moreno kick), 6:34
 
Third Quarter
R—McGovern 3 run (Terpsma kick), 2:57
 
Fourth Quarter
R—Jacob Van Groningen 47 pass from Nolan Lingley (Terpsma kick), 8:05
R—McGovern 1 run (Terpsma kick), 4:20