The Ripon Knights varsity took a three-touchdown lead and then held on to defeat the Denair Lions 26-24 at Denair High’s Jack Lytton Stadium in Trans Valley Youth Football League action.

Using a punishing ground attack by Sean McGovern and Max Steele, the Knights scored on their first two possessions on TD runs from both players. Steele added a 5-yard touchdown run for a 20-0 Ripon lead. Defensive line pressure forced the Lions into throwing an interception by Nolan Lingley which helped keep the Lions off the board.

Denair cut the lead to 20-16 in the third quarter before the Knights scored another touchdown and then held off a late Lions charge to secure the win.

Junior varsity

Denair 32, Ripon 0

Although the Knights offense had a tough time moving the ball after an early injury to center Ernest Eusebio, the defense showed signs of improvement from their last outing.

Cornerbacks Connor Burris and Reed Van Der Hoek held their edges strong, forcing the running backs into linebackers Guilian Lopez, Jared Mensonides, and Nicolai Bondad. The defensive line effort of Colton Bryan, Nicholas Johnson, Simon DeFreitas, AJ VanderHelm, Daniel Hendricks, and Ernest Eusebio was bolstered by newly added guard Gunnar Schneringer, who forced the only turn over of the day. Safety Jaden Booth led the team in open field tackles and had 80 yards in kickoff returns.



Novice

Ripon 13, Denair 12

Jace Beidleman scampered in from 13 yards out on fourth down with 12 seconds remaining Saturday to give Ripon a one-point win.

Beidleman’s heroic run was set up when Ripon nose guard Michael O’Neil forced a fumble that was recovered by Griffin DeAbreu. O’Neil,

Carson Sanders, Dominic Lopez, Zach Walmer and Andrew Mensonides led the Knights defensive effort that shut out Denair in the second half.

Along with Brooks Wheatley who had a long first-quarter touchdown run, DeAbreu, Zack Grabowski, DeAbreu and Tyler Jacklich led the Knights offense.



Junior novice

With only 11 players Ripon battled admirably and was led by Hunter Steele who had two touchdowns and 90 rushing yards.

The offensive line did a good job opening holes and the defense held the Lions off until Denair scored two late touchdowns.