Behind running game, Ripon advances to state title football game with win over Sutter
When the CIF State released its regional bowl pairings on Dec. 1, the committee used the competitive equity model when putting teams in each division.
Some of those factors included strength of program, strength of schedule and postseason success.
And despite seemingly all factors weighing against Ripon High, it was the Indians who dismantled Sutter 31-14 in the CIF State Division 4-AA NorCal football championship at Downey High on Friday night.
Sutter had won five section championships since 2014 and had nearly triple the roster size compared to Ripon.
“This team works so hard and trusts what we are asking them to do,” Indians coach Chris Musseman said. “They fight with bigger guys week in and week out.”
The Indians (13-1), who host Highland of Palmdale in the state championship next Saturday at 6 p.m., controlled every aspect of the game. Although Friday’s game was in Modesto, Ripon Athletic Director Rod Wright said the plan is to host the championship game at Ripon.
Sutter (12-2) entered the red zone once and running back Cory McIntyre, who was averaging nearly 125 rushing yards per game, was held to 35 yards on seven carries.
“All week in practice, we worked on ways to contain No. 1 (McIntyre),” running back and linebacker Brandon Rainer said.
Ripon’s defense limited Sutter to under 100 total yards.
On offense, Indians running backs Danny Hernandez (24 carries for 137 yards, 1 TD) and Grant Wiebe (20 carries for 70 yards, 1 TD) paved the way despite both contending with ankle injuries.
“Danny is an electric back but people forget he has power,” Musseman said.
After forcing a three-and-out to start the game, Ripon quarterback Nico Ilardi converted passes on 3rd-and-long and 4th-and-6 to extend the drive.
Wiebe scored on a 4-yard run to give the Indians a 7-0 lead with 1 minute, 51 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
“That drive set the tone for the rest of the game,” Rainer said.
Sutter tied the game at seven midway through the second before Ilardi connected on a 56-yard touchdown pass to Rainer with 3:32 remaining in the half. Senior kicker Nathan Valdez made a 33-yard field goal as time expired and Ripon led 17-7 at half.
Hernandez had a 56-yard run early in the third quarter and Ilardi scored on a 1-yard run to extend the lead to 17 with a little under 10 minutes remaining.
Despite allowing an 86-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown late in the third, Ripon controlled the second half behind Ilardi and the two running backs who ran for four or five yards carry after carry.
Hernandez had a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Leading up to Friday’s game, the Indians struggled with injuries during practices as players dealt with the aftermath of their physical victory over Center on Nov. 30 in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division V Championship.
“We practiced extremely light early in the week,” Musseman said. “On Wednesday, we cut practice short because we didn’t have enough guys for special teams.”
Before the season, Ripon players created a group text chat titled “Section Champs.”
After accomplishing that goal, Hernandez said the chat name changed to “State Champs.”
“We are a family,” said Rainer, who finished with five receptions for 114 yards and the score. “We checked the first goal. Now we have a bigger goal.”
This story was originally published December 6, 2019 at 11:27 PM.
