Facing one of the top running attacks in the Sac-Joaquin Section last Friday, Ripon Christian countered with its passing game.
The result was a mild upset of No. 2-seeded Liberty Ranch (11-1), as the No. 4 Knights (10-2) came away with a thrilling 52-49 victory in the SJS Division VI semifinals. They got record-setting performances from quarterback Mason Tameling and his longtime friend Cady, who finished with an astounding 317 yards and four touchdowns on 11 receptions.
Ripon Christian coach Phil Grams figured his team could attack the man-to-man coverage the Hawks showed on film, and the Tameling-Cady connection took full advantage.
“We felt like we can exploit one-on-one (coverage) with no safety help,” Cady said. “They didn’t change anything, so we just kept hitting it again and again. With the great offensive mind of Coach Grams and a great quarterback like Mason putting it where it needs to be, all I have to do is catch the ball and run.”
Cady surely deserves much of the credit, with his abilities to create separation with precise route running and making defenders whiff on tackles. He showed both on his first touchdown of the game, reeling in a short but well-timed pass from Tameling to the sideline and shedding a tackle by the cornerback on the way to a 75-yard sprint to the end zone.
His second score was a 65-yarder late in the second quarter, taking a pass in the flat before eluding one defender and blowing past another for a 24-21 halftime lead. Cady later made two defenders miss on a 25-yard catch-and-run TD early in the third quarter.
For his final touchdown, Tameling went over-the-top to hit Cady for a 53-yard strike.
On the winning drive, the Knights were able to get other receivers involved, thanks to the extra attention Cady received from the defense. Tameling targeted younger brother Talen Tameling for a big third-down conversion, then Daniel Lambdin for a 10-yard touchdown with 44.3 seconds remaining.
“Amos is a gifted player,” Grams said. “We thought they were going to go man-to-man on him, and it’s pretty hard to go man-to-man on him. They didn’t adjust until the 2-minute drill, and we were able to take advantage of that.”
Cady’s receiving totals in yards and touchdowns are new single-game school records. Mason Tameling also set a new single-game standard with his 382 passing yards, completing 15 of 25 attempts for five touchdowns against one interception. Tameling is also the new program leader for career passing yards with 4,500 in three varsity seasons.
Cady didn’t just do it on the offensive end, as the free safety tied for the team lead with 12 tackles.
“He’s very smart and very tough, and that’s why we have him on defense at safety to plug those holes,” Grams said. “He’s a special player and a great young man.”
The Knights will face Trans Valley League rival and Division VI defending champion Sonora in the final round this Saturday at Sacramento City College. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
