RIVERSIDE — History suggested Ramona and Patriot were due for another classic, and Friday’s River Valley League opener delivered. On Homecoming night at the corner of Magnolia and Jefferson, the Rams and Warriors gave fans the thriller they expected.

Patriot (5-1, 1-0) quarterback Nathan Villanueva hit Grant Jones for a 30-yard touchdown with 1:04 remaining to give the Warriors a 31-27 lead. Ramona answered with a hurry-up drive that reached 1st-and-goal at the 3-yard line with under 30 seconds left. But after three runs came up short, time expired before the Rams could get off another snap, sealing Patriot’s 31-27 win over the defending River Valley League champions.

It was Ramona’s (5-1, 0-1) first loss in regular-season play since Aug. 26, 2023, when Kaiser beat the Rams 36-35.

“Both

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