Ripon’s quarterback has returned, just in time for the start of Trans Valley League play.
Sophomore Ana Shriver missed 12 of her team’s previous 14 games while recovering from a concussion. On Wednesday, she played a key role in a second-half onslaught that vaulted Ripon to a 19-6 win at East Union.
Her return has allowed pass rusher Aubree Fleming to focus on defense, and she contributed three sacks to the latest triumph. The defense also came up with four interceptions, two from Giuliana Locarnini, and one apiece from Brookelyn Betschart (five flag pulls, one pass break-up) and Mia Hendryx (eight FPS, three PBUs).
“My back-up (Fleming) took us to nine wins and four losses — she did a great job,” Ripon coach Louis Rivera said. “She can play quarterback, but she’s not a quarterback. I didn’t do a very good job in the offseason of preparing my back-up quarterback, but you saw what she can do on defense.
“(Shriver) makes a difference on our team. She brings mobility and pocket presence. They (defenses) have to pay attention to her on the run because she has that ball ready to throw. They have to respect her.”
That mobility was on display on the go-ahead touchdown late in the third quarter, as Shriver scrambled away from pressure and spotted Ava Aguirre up the middle for an 8-yard touchdown. Ripon trailed 6-0 at halftime.
Shriver completed her first seven passes, finishing 20 of 29 for 150 yards and three touchdowns. Her final throw of the first half was a Hail Mary on fourth down intercepted by Diana Reyes. She also rushed for a team-high 39 yards.
Shriver played in Ripon’s season-opening defeat to Edison and returned to action last Tuesday, Sept. 8. She did not play in Ripon’s three games in the Pitman Tournament on Saturday, however.
“I had a lot of rest, which was important, and came back for one game to get the rust off,” Shriver said. “I feel good now. I feel like I’m back into it.
“Tonight, I think it just clicked (in the second half). In the first couple of quarters, I was going through the motions hadn’t yet fully settled in.”
Betschart reeled in nine catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Hendryx (four receptions, 53 yards) scored on a 27-yard pass play midway through the fourth quarter, and Shriver capped scoring with a pass to Locarnini on the conversion try.
East Union struck late in the first half when Julianna Gaspar hit freshman McKenzee Mejia on a 4-yard toss. Gaspar finished 20 of 33 for 183 yards. Mejia caught five passes for 31 yards. Savannah Lopez added three receptions for 67 yards, while Reyes totaled 65 yards from scrimmage.
Linebacker Makayla Burlingame highlighted the Lancers’ defense with 12 flag pulls and a pass deflection. Alexa Bretao broke up three passes.
It was the largest margin of defeat of the season for East Union (1-6), which has four losses decided by seven points, and another by a single point.
“The record doesn’t show, but (East Union) has played some very, very tough teams and barely lost to them,” Rivera said. “Almost everybody on their team is fast, and for us to be able to contain them and pull the flags, I can’t say enough about our defense.”
Ripon, now 10-5, hopes to compete for its first title, but the TVL is loaded. The league schedule kicks off next Tuesday with Escalon visiting Wes Stouffer Field. East Union returns to Valley Oak League action next Monday at Patterson.
