In a game delayed three days because of poor air quality, Ripon started sluggishly Monday in its non-league football game at Sonora’s Dunlavy Field.

The Indians were ultimately done in by injuries and big plays by Sonora’s air attack in a 32-20 defeat that drops them to 2-0. Two-way starters Jack Manning and Daniel Espinoza both went down with injuries. Ripon coach Chris Musseman said Manning, his starting tailback and defensive back, felt good enough to return after colliding with a teammate on a tackle attempt late in the first quarter but was held out by the officials as a precaution in case of a serious head or neck injury.

The Wildcats (1-1) led 12-0 at that point, and Ripon did well to keep it competitive with its speediest running back sidelined.

“We started slow and it really hurt us,” Musseman said. “We lost Manning in the first (quarter) and that chances what we can do on both sides of the ball. Our biggest challenge is our lack of depth and our ability to get the ball to our playmakers on the outside.

“Our kids played really hard once they woke up. We need to figure out a way to deal with our lack of depth in the backfield.”

After giving up 26 points and 275 yards in the first half, Ripon’s clamped down over the final two quarters after Sonora quarterback Bradley Curnow (8 of 12, 180 yards, three TDs) hooked up with Chance Pimentel for an 83-yard touchdown on the second play from scrimmage in the half for the Wildcats. Pimentel was Sonora’s star for the night, finishing with six receptions for 181 yards and three scores. He also had a 32-yard TD catch from Kade Clifton on a halfback option pass that gave the Wildcats a 26-13 halftime lead.

Sonora had seven different ball carriers in its triple-option flexbone offense and were led by Erin Greenway, who rushed for all of his 94 yards in the first half. The Wildcats outgained Ripon 377-314.

After the back-breaking second-half bomb from Sonora, the Indians forced two punts, and a turnover on downs on their next three defensive series. Up by two scores, Sonora attempted another halfback pass with 2:20 left but Clifton fumbled the ball that was recovered by Colin Speed.

Ripon’s offense had missed opportunities to close the gap with its first two drives of the second half. Sonora’s Kenny Scott came up with the first of his two interceptions as the Indians threatened from inside the Wildcats 30-yard line. The Indians then came away empty-handed on a fourth-down pass to Nolan Young in the end zone.

Ripon looked to 6-foot-7 receiver Bronson Burrow and versatile fullback Caleb Johnston carry the load offensively. Burrow caught three passes from Dylan DeGraff (7 of 18, 149 yards, two TDs) for 100 yards and two scores.

With Manning already down and Espinoza going out in the second half Johnston became the workhorse and churned out 129 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries while continuing to lead the charge defensively at inside linebacker.

“Caleb stepped up big on offense when we needed him both carrying the ball and blocking,” Musseman said. “Bronson finally got to show the potential we have seen in him. I hope we can continue to grow our offense with him.”

SCORING SUMMARY

Ripon    0 13 0 7 — 20

Sonora 12 14 6 0 — 32

First quarter

S — Chance Pimentel 40 pass from Bradley Curnow (kick missed), 11:20.

S — Cooper Moberg 8 run (run failed), 4:09.

Second quarter

R — Bronson Burrow 15 pass from Dylan DeGraff (Ricky Ochoa kick), 8:40.

S — Zach Steelman 24 pass from Curnow (Pimentel pass from Curnow), 7:08.

R — Burrow 63 pass from DeGraff (kick missed), 4:51.

S — Pimentel 32 pass from Kade Clifton (run failed), 3:52.

Third quarter

S — Pimentel 83 pass from Curnow (run failed), 9:33.

Fourth quarter

R — Caleb Johnston 1 run (Ochoa kick), 11:55.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Manteca 3, Venture Academy 0

The Buffaloes (7-0) continued their early-season roll on Monday, sweeping host Venture Academy 25-10, 25-14, 25-16 in a Sac-Joaquin Section Foundation Game. Foundation Games do not count against records, but gate sales go to SJS scholarships.

Abbey Kadillak helped lead the way with 14 digs, eight service points and four aces. Arielle Chandler recorded 14 service points and six aces to go with 13 assists. Karlie Spohn added seven kills and two blocks, and Adrianna Powell had six kills and three digs. Bella Pires chipped in 10 assists and nine service points. Kim Yu served 10 points and two aces and had three digs.

GIRLS GOLF

Ripon 171, Argonaut 185

The Indians improved to 3-0 in Valley Foothill League North Division play after dispatching Argonaut at Castle Oaks Golf Course on Tuesday.

They were paced by Gabbi Ilardi’s 1-over 37. Zoe Bremer contributed a 42, Katie Martin a 44 and Vivian Parsons a 48. Ashley Rouen led Argonaut with a 39.