GALT — Ripon head coach Chris Musseman was worried that a potential letdown was unfolding before his eyes.
Galt went into Friday’s nonleague affair looking to snap a six-game losing streak going back to last season. The Warriors opened with a 17-play drive that ended up stalling on the Ripon 8-yard line with about 2 minutes, 30 seconds to go in the first quarter.
“That’s when our kids woke up,” Musseman said.
The Indians dominated from there, scoring touchdowns on all four of their first-half possessions in a 40-7 rout.
“When they got close to our end zone we finally snapped out of it,” Musseman said. “From that moment on we were in control.”
Ripon (1-1) rallied for 33 unanswered points, 26 coming in the second quarter. Sophomore quarterback Ryan Dagget got the offense rolling with a 23-yard pass to Aaron Paschini with 9:53 to go in the half.
Dagget finished 7 of 10 for 124 yards two touchdowns. His second scoring toss came late in the second quarter from 25 yards out to Ryan Wilson. Paschini wound up with four catches for 78 yards and two TDs.
Standout free safety Luis Candido showed off his versatility on the offensive end, scoring on 15- and 1-yard touchdowns and throwing another to Paschini from 39 yards out.
“He is such a good football player,” Musseman said of Candido. “He never (previously) played much offense, but he has a lot of tools.”
Sophomore Roland Davis capped scoring with a late 1-yard scamper. Riley Machado led Ripon rushers with 69 yards on nine carries. The Indians racked up more than 300 yards of offense while giving up 203 — 175 rushing — on the defensive end.
“We left some things on the field last week (in a loss to Sierra) and the kids knew we had to get it going in the right direction with Sonora coming up next week,” Musseman said.
Ripon takes on the reigning Sac-Joaquin Section Division V champion Wildcats on the road next Friday, Sept. 9 at Dunlavy Field.