Resurgent Ripon fights for playoff life against Modesto Christian

Two weeks ago, the Ripon High football team was 1-4, and outmanned in each of its losses.

The Indians lost to Sierra, Patterson, Sonora and Sutter (teams with a combined record of 26-3), all of which are headed to the playoffs. Their lone win came against Valley Oak League resident Lathrop, a team that showed it’s no pushover by taking powerful Manteca took the wall in a 14-12 loss on Oct. 3.

But, as head coach Chris Johnson explains it, “We were the most confident 1-4 team in the state.”

Two weeks after hitting bottom, Ripon is now 3-4. More important, it’s 2-0 in the Trans-Valley League, tied for first place with Modesto Christian (6-1) and Escalon (5-2), teams the Indians face the next two Fridays.

Tonight’s matchup against the Crusaders kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

“Going into the Hilmar game last year, when we were both 7-0, we hadn’t played enough quality opponents,” Johnson said. “We weren’t tough enough.”

The loss was a learning experience.

“We felt like we had to upgrade our preseason schedule, and we went to an extreme level,” said Johnson, who was 30-6 the previous three seasons. “We didn’t quite mean to do that.”

Since you can never predict how a team will perform in the future, what looks like a soft schedule can turn into a nightmare, and vice versa. Johnson thought he’d upgraded his 2013 schedule, but the coach had no idea what he’d gotten himself into.

“I’ve got 23 juniors on a roster of 38 kids,” said Johnson. “This is a tough year to upgrade like this. We’ve had to grow up, not just physically but mentally, as well. We had to learn how to be a varsity football team.”

And now, even after the rough start, the Indians control their playoff fate.

“At 1-4, we felt like we weren’t that bad,” said Johnson. “Looking at film, the kids were always in the right spots … we were just outmanned. We knew it. The kids knew it. The fans knew it. But the kids never had their spirit broken. And, jeez, that’s all I could ask for.”

Modesto (6-1, 2-1) at Enochs (3-5, 3-1), 7:30 p.m. (at Johansen) – The Eagles opened Modesto Metro Conference play with three consecutive wins after opening the season with four straight losses. That streak came to a halt last week in a 40-14 loss to Downey. With just two games left on the schedule, Enochs can finish no better than 5-5, and that won’t be good enough. The only path to the playoffs for the Eagles is to grab one of the Modesto Metro Confernce’s two automatic bids. It’s simple math: beat Modesto and Gregori – the other MMC teams with one league loss – and Enochs is in the playoffs.

Patterson (5-2, 2-1) at Pacheco (6-2, 4-0), 7:15 p.m. – Patterson and Pacheco each gave reigning state champion Central Catholic all it could handle during their regular season matchups in 2013. When the Raiders were moved to the Valley Oak League, it became evident these two teams were the frontrunners for the Western Athletic League title. That’s still the case, though Los Banos has inserted itself into the mix. After a 47-41 loss to LB last week, Patterson would be virtually eliminated from the title chase with a second league setback, so it’s in must-win mode from here on out.

Los Banos (5-2, 3-0) at Livingston (5-3, 2-2), 7 p.m. – Apparently, the Tigers were upset by the constant chatter about Patterson and Pacheco being the heirs apparent to the Western Athletic Conference throne. Los Banos is in position for a winner-take-all showdown with crosstown rival Pacheco on Nov. 7. Livingston, meanwhile, still needs a win to reach the six-win plateau that virtually assures an at-large bid. With Los Banos and Patterson still on the schedule, last week’s 47-27 loss to Central Valley was a huge blow to the Wolves’ playoff hopes.

Orestimba (5-2, 2-2) at Le Grand (5-2, 4-0), 7:30 p.m. – A scenario exists where five of the eight Southern League teams – Le Grand, Mariposa, Gustine, Ripon Christian and Orestimba – can still claim the league’s No. 1 playoff berth. Le Grand and Mariposa control their fates. Orestimba must win out and then get help from others. Even Delhi, at 3-4 overall, can get to six wins, which would probably secure an at-large bid. That makes six teams still alive for the playoffs. There’s not another race like it in the Stanislaus District.

Gustine (6-1, 3-1) at Mariposa (5-2, 4-0), 7:30 p.m. – The Grizzlies’ task is clear: win their final three games of the season and they go to playoffs as the No. 1 seed from the Southern League. If Gustine wins its last three games, it would need somebody to topple Le Grand since the Bulldogs hold the tiebreaker. But the Redskins’ task tonight won’t be easy: The Grizzlies have the Southern League’s top passer in Aaron Lerma (228 passing yards per game, 62 percent completion, 16 TDs, three interceptions), the leading receiver in Jadin Battles (67 receptions, 123 yards per game), and the No. 2 rusher in Kamare Bailey (109 yards per game, 12 TDs).

This story was originally published October 23, 2014 at 8:02 PM with the headline "Resurgent Ripon fights for playoff life against Modesto Christian."