GALT, CA (MPG) - In a nail-biting contest that came down to the final minutes, the Liberty Ranch Hawks secured their first CIF playoff victory with a 30-28 win over the Ripon Indians in a game that featured dramatic momentum swings, clutch defensive stops and offensive fireworks from both squads.

The Hawks struck first when junior running back Andrew Quinn capped a six-play opening drive with a rushing touchdown. But the back-and-forth affair was just beginning.

After Ripon gained its first down on a Liberty Ranch offside penalty, the Indians fumbled and the Hawks recovered. However, Liberty Ranch immediately gave it back with a fumble of its own, which Ripon recovered with six minutes left in the first quarter.

A controversial penalty call – referees flagged Liberty Ranch for hitting the Ripon quarterback after he released the ball – gave the Indians momentum. Ripon’s running back broke free to tie the game at 7-7 with 6:03 remaining in the opening quarter.

 

Quarterback Ryan Ogas keeps the ball and picks up crucial yards on the ground.

The Hawks appeared to answer when junior Wyatt Corriea found the end zone, but the touchdown was negated by a penalty. Liberty Ranch settled for a 27-yard field goal by senior James Rangel, taking a 10-7 lead with a minute left in the first quarter.

Ripon responded with trickery. On a quarterback keeper where the entire offensive line went left, the Indians’ signal-caller went right and raced 30 yards untouched into the end zone, giving Ripon a 14-10 advantage with 10:52 left in the half.

Junior Joe Lara provided the highlight of the night when he powered through Ripon’s entire defensive line for a touchdown, with defenders literally hanging onto his shirttails. The score gave Liberty Ranch a 17-14 lead with 8:03 remaining in the second quarter.

Ripon answered with another quarterback keeper from close range, retaking the lead 21-17 with 4:07 left in the half.

Joe Lara powers into the end zone for a touchdown despite a Ripon defender hanging onto his shirttails.

Then came the play of the game. As Liberty Ranch marched toward the end zone, junior quarterback Ryan Ogas threw toward senior Cole Maguire, who was well-covered. Maguire deflected the ball, and Corriea, trailing the play, caught the deflection in the end zone for a spectacular touchdown. The Hawks led 24-21 with 51 seconds left in the half.

Liberty Ranch attempted an onside kick but gave Ripon the ball at midfield. Neither team managed to score before halftime.

The third quarter turned into a defensive struggle, with both teams unable to find the end zone.

After a miraculous goal-line stand stopped Ripon at the 2-yard line, the Hawks methodically drove the length of the field in the fourth quarter. Lara punched it in for his second touchdown of the night, extending the lead to 30-21.

 

In the play of the game, Wyatt Corriea catches the deflected football and scores a crucial touchdown.

Ripon refused to quit. The Indians broke free and scored with 8:02 remaining, cutting the deficit to 30-28 and setting up a tense finish.

With 3:01 left, Liberty Ranch turned the ball over on downs, giving Ripon life. The Indians drove to the Hawks’ 45-yard line, but in a spectacular effort, Liberty Ranch’s defense held firm and forced a turnover on downs.

Ogas took a knee to run out the clock, and the Hawks had their historic victory.

Several Ripon players were visibly upset after the final whistle, and in a show of sportsmanship, Liberty Ranch players took time to hug and console their opponents before celebrating.

Quinn led all rushers with 202 yards on 22 carries and one touchdown, averaging an impressive 9.2 yards per attempt with a long of 46 yards. Lara added 113 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.

 

Andrew Quinn is unstoppable as he gains yards.

Ryan Ogas completed 7 of 10 passes for 100 yards and one touchdown, posting a 135.4 quarterback rating. His top targets were Lara (two catches, 37 yards), Corriea (three catches, 29 yards, one TD), and Maguire (one catch, 22 yards).

The Hawks amassed 467 total yards: 367 on the ground and 100 through the air.

Corriea led the defense with 10 total tackles (six solo, four assists). Quinn added seven tackles and a quarterback hurry, while Soni Takafua contributed eight tackles and half a sack. Eston Tucker recorded six tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and half a sack.

Ogas had three pass deflections on defense, while Tucker and Daniel Sosa each added two.

Rangel was perfect on extra points (three of four) and made his only field goal attempt.

The victory sends Liberty Ranch to the next round of the CIF playoffs, where the Hawks will look to continue their historic postseason run.