Ripon Christian High put in the effort against the top team in the Trans-Valley League in Hilmar.

The outcome, however, favored the visiting Yellowjackets, who came away Friday with a 24-0 victory.

"We came into the season looking to defend the tradition of Ripon Christian football," said Knights coach Phil Grams, who was proud of the way his team battled Hilmar (5-0, 9-0) through most of the evening.

RC (1-2, 5-2), despite the loss, remains one of the top teams in Division VI with two games left in the regular season.

Against Hilmar, the Knights came shorthanded in players, having to bring up one from the junior varsity squad team prior to the game, according to Grams.

The Yellowjackets managed to get their offense untracked early on with Hunter Greunke, following Nathan Ayala's 15-yard gain, rambled 36 yards to paydirt.

RC defense held tough from that point on thanks to stellar efforts by Talen Tameling, Ben Medhurst, and Jeremy Molloy, to name a few.

The Yellowjackets managed a 42-yard field goal by Blake Vikorino to up the scoring shortly before the intermission, 10-0.

Hilmar, led by the likes of standout offensive lineman Justin Ortiz — the 6-7, 300-pound senior is Fresno State-bound — began wearing down RC in the third quarter. Junior running back Adam Branco powered his way for a 14-yard touchdown run. Prior to that, he picked up 22 yards.

The Yellowjackets made it 24-0 moments later. Vikorino intercepted a pass, setting up John Pereira's 2-yard scoring plunge late in the third.

RC showed signs of moving the ball on offense with quarterback Josiah Van Vliet hitting Medhurst on a 16-yard pass play prior to the fourth quarter..

The Knights prevented Hilmar from adding on to its lead with a fourth-down stop inside the red zone.

RC will travel to Hughson next Friday.