Hughson heads into playoffs on a roll after beating Ripon

The Hughson High football team closed out the regular season with an impressive win Friday night, beating Ripon 19-16 in a battle of Trans-Valley League powers.

Walter Fountain passed for two touchdowns – both of them for 35 yards – and the Huskies’ defense made a goalline stand with about seven minutes left in the game.

Hughson improved to 8-2 overall and 3-2 in the TVL. Both losses were in overtime.

Ripon, meanwhile, dropped to 6-4 overall and 4-1 in the TVL.

The Indians stunned Escalon a week earlier on the last play of the game.

“It’s really disappointing to go from the emoptional high of winning on the last play last week to the emotional letdown this week,” Ripon coach Chris Johnson said. “You're talking about two ends of the spectrum.”

Fountain’s second TD pass, to Josh Duran, gave the Huskies a 19-10 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Matthew DeDonatis’ 25-yard TD run pulled Ripon withing three points.

“It was tough to let go of that one (Escalon) and focus on this next one,” Johnson said. :It was such an emotional win to let go of to turn around and play another tough opponent. Hats off to (Hughson). They played a great game and didn't make any mistakes."

This story was originally published November 7, 2015 at 1:13 AM with the headline "Hughson heads into playoffs on a roll after beating Ripon."