The rain is starting to come in, the nights are getting longer, and the warm weather is disappearing. This time of year indicates October is ending and November is starting. With that also comes the end of the high school football season, and for the Ripon High football team, their final game of the season was a big one as they needed to win it to be in the playoffs. Many didn’t believe the varsity team could win considering their 3-6 record, while Hilmar had a 4-5 record. However, RHS proved everyone wrong as they beat Hilmar in a thriller game with a score of 27-26 putting them into the playoffs.
The Jv football team had just gotten done with their game, and varsity knew they had to do exactly what the Jv and freshman team did. Win. Many RHS parents and students came to support the Varsity team in this game. However they were silent on the first few series as the RHS offense punted on their first drive and then gave up a touchdown. Even though they were done, the entire team kept telling each other there was still a whole game left. This motivated the team to keep fighting the entire game, and on the very next drive Fullback, Eric Guevara, would score a touchdown for RHS tying the game 7-7. Guevera would have an incredible night, as he was the biggest part of the RHS offense.
Guevera states the reason for his incredible game comes down to belief in himself and the guys next to him. According to Guevara, “Putting in the work all week,” led to his performance. Along with, “staying disciplined, knowing [my] job, knowing what to do when things go wrong, and just trusting all the hours you put in beforehand.”
The defense stopped the Hilmar offense on the next few drives allowing the RHS offense to take the lead. However this lead was only by one touchdown as several penalties stopped RHS from getting a larger lead. By the end of the second quarter, Hilmar scored another touchdown on RHS, but missed the 2-point conversion, putting the game at 13-14. By halftime everyone in the game knew this game was going to have an exciting finish.
By the beginning of the second half, RHS got the ball first. With a passing game that was playing well, and a running game that couldn’t be stopped, it seemed like RHS could score on their opening drive. However the Hilmar defensive line completely stuffed the RHS running game forcing them to punt on their first drive. Meanwhile on the defensive side of the ball that had forced a fumble and an interception, allowed Hilmar to march down the field and score to take the lead. Even with the score not being favorable, the RHS sideline kept telling themselves the same thing. “The game is not over yet”. Halfway through the third quarter the RHS offense looked to tie the game, but with two dirty hits by Hilmar defenders RHS lost two offensive pieces. The Ripon high stands were furious by the hits taken by the RHS players. Despite the obvious dirty hits by Hilmar, the officials did not punish Hilmar, and instead placed penalties to RHS on both plays. The entire Ripon sideline and stands erupted in roars of boos towards the officials.
The RHS offense would have to punt the football away, and concern was beginning to loom for Ripon. The RHS defense didn’t let this concern take over, as the RHS defensive line controlled the line of scrimmage the entire game. This performance by the defensive line stopped the Hilmar offense and gave Ripon another chance to take the lead in the third quarter. With a good drive led by Guevera, Ripon scored and took the lead 21-20.
With one quarter left in the game and Hilmar getting the football back to score again, anxiety filled throughout the stadium. That anxiety increased for Ripon as Hilmar had scored a touchdown to take the lead. Hilmar failed on their two point conversion to put the distance at five points. With ten minutes left to go in the game, the RHS offense got the ball back. Even though there was pressure for everyone on the offense, the RHS offense had their best drive of the game, both through the passing game and the run game. With five minutes left to go in the game, Ripon scored to take the lead 27-26.
The next drive was Ripon’s entire season, in order to make the playoffs the defense needed to stop Hilmar one last time. The defense rose up to the challenge forcing tipped balls, sacks to the QB, to force Hilmar to punt. This game-defining drive gave Ripon the win, and put them into the playoffs.
The RHS varsity football team has all the talent in the world, and can make it as far as state champions. They just need to limit penalties and no team will want to play them.
