MOUNTAIN HOUSE — Things looked bleak for Ripon at the start of its Trans-Valley League opener at Mountain House on Friday.
The host Mustangs built a surprising 21-7 halftime lead before Ripon gained control en route to a 33-21 victory. Michael Winters led the quick turnaround, scoring on a 66-yard scamper just 45 seconds into the third quarter when the Indians (1-0 TVL, 4-2 overall) tallied 20 unanswered points.
Winters added a 34-yard touchdown run later in the third and finished with 154 yards on just nine carries
“Our kids came out flat,” Ripon coach Chris Musseman said. “We had some disciplinary stuff going on with a couple of guys who did not play in the first half and we struggled a little bit. We were not executing very well and not playing with passion. We had a talk at halftime and the kids started having fun.
“If we could have played at full strength all game and played right from the beginning I think it would have been a pretty good result for us.”
Ripon ended with 446 yards of offense with Roland Davis adding 90 yards and a touchdown on 10 rushes. Dylan Sexton contributed 15 carries for 61 yards, and Ryan Machado scored from 3 yards out for Ripon’s only first-half touchdown. Quarterback Ryan Daggett (5 of 12, 91 yards) hit Tino Raygoza for a 20-yard touchdown with 6:56 left in the fourth quarter.
Mountain House (0-1, 4-2) was led by quarterback Jesse Jordan and running back Vladik Sutherland, who each rushed for 78 yards, in the early going. Sutherland opening scoring with a 31-yard run. Jordan later ran for a 9-yard touchdown and hooked up with Sutherland on TD pass.
“They’re a much-improved team,” Musseman said. “I would not be surprised if Mountain House shocks somebody this year, they have some players.”

Valley Oak League
Kimball 41,
Weston Ranch 0
TRACY — The Jaguars (1-2, 1-5) celebrated their homecoming by snapping a 13-game losing streak while capitalizing on several miscues made by Weston Ranch (0-3, 1-5).
Kyle Gibson (4 of 7, 152 yards two TDs; rushing TD) got Kimball going with a 75-yard pass to Camon Sims late in the first quarter. Noah Mainarick led the Jags with 87 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. They totaled 229 yards on the ground.
Weston Ranch was limited to 152 yards of offense. Quarterback Amier Bowen completed seven of 15 passes for 50 yards and rushed for 34.