After an impressive win against Modesto High School, the RHS varsity football team was looking to bring their season back to life. RHS showed they have potential to be an amazing team, they just need to fix their small mistakes that are holding them back. However on Oct. 4, 2024 those same mistakes they have had since the beginning of the year caused them to lose to Orestimba by a score of 10-7.
It was Orestimba’s homecoming, and with many floats and signs antagonizing Ripon High many from Ripon wanted to see Orestimba lose. As soon as the game began the offense looked like they were going to be able to run all over Orestimba. However as soon as they got to the goal line the offense faltered and couldn’t finish the drive with any points. This would go on throughout the entire night as Ripon was unable to score any points till the fourth quarter, but continuously got enough yards to get close to the endzone. Although several controversial penalties took away multiple big play opportunities for Ripon. This included a punt that could have gotten RHS a touchdown in the third quarter, but despite the fact that no one touched the football and it had not gone out of bounds, the refs blew the whistle stopping a big ripon play. Many RHS fans were upset by these officiating calls, as the Ripon stands booed the referees on multiple occasions.
Although the RHS defense struggled in giving up yardage and giving up big plays throughout the game, they had an amazing red zone defense and stopped the Orestimba offense when they came into RHS territory. This led to the RHS defense only giving up a field goal and one touchdown in the first half, and zero points in the second half. Despite this amazing performance by the defense, the RHS offense wasn’t able to attack orestimba with a touchdown till the fourth quarter. At that point in the game, RHS had a chance to win the game.
This would fall short however, due to a dispute between the RHS QB, JJ Brawley, and head coach, Christopher Musseman, causing Brawley to exit the game for a couple plays. When Brawley came back into the game he threw an interception that would end any hopes for an RHS comeback win.
Fullback Anden Ries had his first game this week since hurting himself prior to the season and truly had an amazing performance, bull rushing through opponents. Ries stated when asked about what his team needs to improve on,”Just executing the basic plays that we have. Just all of our individual jobs we have and being more of a team to the individuals.”
Whether it was questionable officiating or Ripon’s in-house dispute, this game was within reach of an RHS win and it slipped through the team’s hands. The coming weeks shall determine how this RHS season will be looked upon. Now the team’s defense is one big positive to look at, but the team’s offense must be able to finish drives if they are to make the playoffs.
