MARIPOSA — What was billed as a showdown for first place in the Southern Athletic League turned out to be a clinic put on by visiting Ripon Christian.
The Knights handed Mariposa a lopsided 48-0 shellacking its first league loss, putting themselves in the driver’s seat for a second straight outright championship two games to go in the regular season. They’ll host fourth-place Le Grand (3-2 SAL, 4-3 overall) on senior night next week before travelling to winless Delhi in the SAL finale.
Not only did Ripon Christian (5-0 , 7-1) muzzle the Grizzlies (4-1, 5-3), the Knights  did so in resounding fashion, outgaining Mariposa 407 yards to a measly 55.
Ripon Christian’s Nolan Lingley (11 of 18 passing, 220 yards) had touchdown throws of 6 and 63 yards to Caleb Terpsma (120 yards receiving) and 13 yards to William Gilbert. Sean McGovern (136 yards rushing, 17 receiving) scored on runs of 3, 11 and 15 yards and Gilbert returned an interception 16 yards for a score.
The game had a running clock midway through the third quarter. The Knights recovered an onside kick and forced five sacks for losses totaling 38 yards.
Ty Mensonides made eight tackles for Ripon Christian, Garrett Bryan and Jaden Booth added six stops apiece with Seth Gallo forcing a fumble and making two sacks and Todd K. Beatty II making one sack.   

SCORING SUMMARY
Ripon Ch. 14 14 20 0 — 48
Mariposa   0   0   0  0 — 0

First quarter
R — Sean McGovern 3 run (Caleb Terpsma kick), 6:27.
R — McGovern 11 run (Terpsma kick), 0:58.

Second quarter
R — Terpsma 6 pass from Nolan Lingley (Terpsma kick), 6:57.
R — William Gilbert 13 pass from Lingley (Terpsma kick), 3:00.

Third quarter
R — Terpsma 63 pass from Lingley (kick missed), 10:41.
R — McGovern 15 run (Terpsma kick), 7:00.
R — Gilbert 16 interception return (Terpsma kick), 1:30.