RIPON, Wis. -- The Ripon football program (1-5, 1-3 MWC) suffered a loss this Homecoming weekend, falling 45-14 to the undefeated Lake Forest Foresters (6-0, 4-0 MWC). Junior quarterback
Brady Immel (Winneconne, Wis., Winneconne HS) scored both of Ripon's touchdowns; one rushing, one passing.
Ripon started the game with a strong defensive showing against the top ranked offense in Division III, recording a third down sack from lineman
Wyatt Dahl (Sahuarita, Ariz., Sahuarita HS) to force a deep field goal attempt. The Foresters would connect on the 49-yard try, taking a 3-0 lead before forcing a three-and-out from the Red Hawks. Lake Forest would score on the next series, while Ripon would struggle to find their footing, ending the first quarter 10-0 in favor of the visitors.
The second quarter saw both teams trade empty possessions early, until a short punt from Ripon netted the Foresters strong position with ten minutes left in the half. Lake Forest scored on the drive to take a 17-0 lead, while Ripon responded with a 46-yard field goal. However, the field goal would be nullified by a penalty, and the replayed down saw the second attempt miss wide right, ending the half with Ripon still scoreless.
The second half had Ripon open with a fumble, putting the Foresters in strong position, which they would use to score, pushing the game to 24-0 in their favor. Ripon would mount a long drive in response, but commit a turnover on downs while at the Lake Forest 18-yard line. A penalty from the visitors and a pass breakup by defensive back
Salim Sesma (Coolidge, Ariz., Coolidge HS) forced Lake Forest to open the fourth quarter with a punt, from which Ripon mounted their most successful drive. Riding a mix of Immel rushes and short passes alongside running back
Treston Dekker (Sheboygan, Wis., Sheboygan South HS) carries, Ripon found themselves at the Lake Forest six yard line after 10 plays. From their, Immel would run in Ripon's first touchdown, finishing off their first scoring drive against Lake Forest since 2023. Immel would also rush in the two point conversion, putting the score at 24-8 in favor of the visitors.
Lake Forest would respond on the next drive, scoring again on a pass play. From there, Ripon again mounted a strong drive, finished off with
Blake Thelen (Oconomowoc, Wis., Lake Country Lutheran HS) Immel finding receiver for a 42 yard touchdown. This time, however, the Foresters would stop the two point conversion, putting the score at 31-14. The next set of downs saw Lake Forest score again, while a late game interception provided the Foresters another scoring opportunity as the clock wound down. The Homecoming game would conclude with Ripon falling 45-14 to the visitors.
Ripon football enters their bye week this weekend, before returning for an away game on October 24 against Luther College. The Norse enter the game 4-2 this season and 3-1 in conference, coming off a 13-30 loss to Monmouth.
