By ALONZO TREJO
Special To The Times
It was a tough Saturday on the football field for the quartet of Escalon youth teams, as all levels took losses on Sept. 7.
Junior Novice
The Junior Novice Cougars fell 45-6 to a dominant Calaveras Junior Reds team. Despite the lopsided score, the Cougars displayed heart and effort throughout the game, with key players stepping up on both defense and offense.
Jacob Mackrell and Sebastian Martinez led the Cougar defense, each recording four tackles. Isiah Gonzalez and Maverick Santos contributed two tackles apiece, while Sebastian Coronado chipped in with one tackle, as the defense worked tirelessly to slow down the potent Junior Reds offense.
On the offensive side, Hunter Jones provided the lone highlight for the Cougars, scoring their only touchdown of the game.
Though Escalon struggled to contain the Calaveras offensive attack, the Cougars will look to regroup and refocus as they prepare for their next matchup, determined to bounce back stronger.
Novice
The Cougars put up a valiant effort against the Calaveras Junior Reds, but ultimately fell short in a 19-13 loss. Despite the defeat, the Cougars showcased their defensive resilience with a host of players stepping up to make crucial tackles.
Zackariah Doty led the team with an impressive seven tackles, followed closely by Liam Lombardi with six. Andres Jimenez and Jase Govia each contributed three tackles, while Karson Sandretto added two. Trenton Kjellberg, Braydyn Bettencourt, Grady Johnson, Gunner Engstrand, Logan Lanza, Eric Cardenas, and Ryder Looney all chipped in with one tackle apiece, demonstrating a collective defensive effort.
Andrew Machado had a standout game on both sides of the ball, recording two tackles, a fumble recovery, and a receiving touchdown. Antonio Brunetti delivered an all-around performance with one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown, keeping the Cougars competitive throughout the game.
The Junior Reds managed to pull ahead in the second half, securing the 19-13 win, and though Escalon came up short, their teamwork and determination on defense are signs of promise for the games ahead.
Junior Varsity
The Junior Varsity Cougars faced a challenging game, losing 26-6 to the Calaveras Junior Reds. The Cougar defense put in a gritty performance with several key plays, while the offense managed to break through for an early lead.
Mason Hoover was a standout on defense, recording three tackles and recovering a fumble. Julian Cruz also contributed three tackles, while Colton Faria added one tackle and a fumble recovery. Jameson Kuykendall, Cru Herrera, Kaleb Butler, Waylon Morgan, Noah Castellanos, Cooper Johnson, Damion Sorrick, Logan Gonsalez, and Jace Turnbough each made one tackle, showing a balanced defensive effort from the Cougars.
Escalon’s lone touchdown came early in the game when quarterback Kaleb Butler connected with Landon Machado for the score, giving Escalon an early lead and their only points of the game.
Though the Cougars fought hard, the Junior Reds proved too strong, pulling away with a 26-6 victory. Escalon will look to regroup and build on their defensive efforts as they prepare for their next challenge.
Varsity
The Varsity Cougars put up a determined effort but fell 19-8 to the Calaveras Junior Reds on Saturday. In the loss, the Cougars still showcased strong defensive performances, with several players making key contributions on both sides of the ball.
Noah Gonsalves led the defense with six tackles, while Trevor Jansen was a standout, recording five tackles, recovering a fumble, and scoring the Cougars’ lone touchdown on a pass from quarterback Archer Sanders. Ryker Lial also made his presence felt with five tackles, while Cristian Camara, Steven Fenton, and Trey Herrera each contributed four tackles.
Landen DeCroix, Ty Caton, Jaxon DeGruy, and Adam Cordeiro added two tackles each, rounding out a solid defensive effort from Escalon.
Although Escalon’s defense fought hard, the Junior Reds managed to pull ahead, securing the 19-8 win. The Cougars will look to build on their defensive highlights and aim for improvement in their next game as they continue their season.
