Football Game Preview: Esparto Spartans vs. Rio Vista Rams

The Esparto Spartans will head out to challenge the Rio Vista Rams at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Esparto comes in still looking for their first win of the season.

Esparto is headed in fresh off scoring the most points they have all season. They had to suffer through a 53-14 loss at the hands of Mesa Verde.

Meanwhile, everything came up roses for Rio Vista against Highlands on Friday as the squad secured a 53-26 victory. Considering the Rams have won three games by more than 25 points this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.

Esparto better keep an eye on Ethan Friedel. He was instrumental in Rio Vista's win, rushing for 171 yards and four TDs while picking up 8.6 yards per carry. Those 171 rushing yards gave Friedel a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Emmett Medders, who rushed for 86 yards on only nine carries.

Rio Vista was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 450 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 177 rushing yards every time they've taken the field this season.

On the defensive side of the ball, a lot of the credit has to go to Rio Vista's defense and their six sacks. Leading the way was Nate Frisbie with 3.5. Frisbie is also crushing it when it comes to total tackles: he's made at least five every time he's taken the field this season. Rio Vista received some extra help from Jax Fletcher, whose fumble return for a touchdown made for one of the most unforgettable moments.

Esparto's defeat dropped their record down to 0-4. As for Rio Vista, they now have a winning record of 3-2.

Esparto was dealt a bruising 47-14 loss at the hands of Rio Vista in their previous matchup back in November of 2024. A big factor in that loss was the dominant performance of Medders, who rushed for 136 yards and three touchdowns on only 12 carries, and also threw for 151 yards and a pair of TDs on perfect 9-for-9 passing. Now that the Spartans know the damage he can cause, will they be able to stop him this time? There's only one way to find out.