Tameling was at the top of his game last Friday at rival Ripon’s Wes Stouffer Field, where he had a hand in all five of his team’s touchdowns in the 35-21 win that keeps them in range of the Trans Valley League title.

The 6-foot-2, third-year starting quarterback connected on 17 of 22 passes for a career-high 278 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He was also the leading rusher for the Knights (2-1 TVL, 6-1 overall) with 46 yards and two 1-yard touchdowns.

Tameling put all of his talents to use on the 6-minute drive that put the game away for RC. He ran for a 14-yard gain on a designed keeper on third-and-4, and his second TD plunge iced it with 1:08 remaining. The score was set up by a pass up the middle to tight end Aaron Van Hofwegen, who was stopped short at the goal line.

Tameling was earlier denied another touchdown pass on Ripon Christian’s first offensive series of the game, which led to his interception inside Ripon’s 5-yard line.  Edge rusher Xabriel Reyes got his hands on Tameling’s pass near the line of scrimmage, and the ball was caught by Ace Dougherty for the turnover.

Tameling nearly threw another pick that was dropped by Ripon free safety Mike Evans early in the fourth quarter. Tameling was otherwise on target and on time with his passes in coach Phil Grams’ West Coast fly offense.

“We went into the ballgame just saying if we execute Ripon Christian football, we felt pretty good about our chances,” Grams said. “This group of seniors has just been about doing things the right way.

“The only blemish in the deal was the pick at the beginning — that’s an unblocked guy and we just kind of got unlucky, but Mason was solid. He leads his team well.”

Tameling was able to spread the ball around to six different receivers. Ripon’s defense keyed on his usual top target, Amos Cady, who still had his moment in the form of a 70-yard catch-and-run on a slant pattern with Ripon Christian facing a third-and-13 in the second quarter.

With Cady otherwise kept at bay, that allowed other players to enjoy career nights. Enter senior wide out Daniel Lambdin, who finished with seven receptions, 119 yards and a touchdown. Van Hofwegen also had career-best marks with four catches, 67 yards and a touchdown.

“That’s just where the ball went,” Tameling said. “Shout-out to (Lambdin) for running great routes. I just had to put the ball in the right spot for him to succeed, and he did the rest.”

A three-sport standout (basketball, volleyball) for Ripon Christian, Tameling is having his best season on the gridiron, which he hopes culminates in championships. He has completed 64% of his passes for 944 yards, 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He is also getting to use his legs more, as he had rushed for a team-high seven touchdowns.

The Knights have now knocked off Ripon two consecutive years after dropping the first eight meetings in the earlier stage of this rekindled football rivalry.  They’ll now look to notch their first win against other small-school powerhouses, first with visiting Escalon this Friday.