By ALONZO TREJO
Special To The Times
Of the four Escalon Youth Cougars football teams, three made it to the playoffs, with first round action staged this past weekend. The JV team did not advance to the postseason. Here is a look at how the three playoff squads fared in their games.
Junior Novice
In a hard-fought game, the Junior Novice Cougars came up short against the Argonaut Junior Mustangs, falling 26-0. The Mustangs’ strong defense proved too much for the Cougars, who struggled to break through Argonaut’s line.
Despite the shutout, Escalon’s defense had some standout moments. Maverick Santos led the team with eight tackles and a fumble recovery, showing impressive resilience on the field. Isaiah Gonzalez was also a force, finishing with five tackles and a fumble recovery.
Hunter Jones made significant contributions as well, recording seven tackles, while Jacob Mackrell made four tackles and recovered a fumble. Caden Jones added two tackles to the Cougars’ defensive efforts, and Jack Noack came through with five solid tackles. Sebastian Martinez was another highlight for Escalon, tallying seven tackles and managing to recover two fumbles.
Though Escalon’s defense fought hard to hold off the Mustangs, Argonaut’s offense found ways to capitalize, ultimately sealing a decisive 26-0 victory. This will conclude the Junior Novice season as they finished with a final record of 4-7 in the Motherlode Valley Football League.
Novice
The Novice Cougars delivered an impressive performance, defeating the Hughson Huskies 19-0 in a dominant display of teamwork and defensive prowess. The win showcased the Cougars’ determination on both sides of the ball, with a strong defensive line and impactful plays from the offense.
Escalon’s defense set the tone early, with Andres Jimenez leading with six tackles and a fumble recovery, holding Hughson’s offense in check throughout the game. Liam Lombardi contributed with two tackles and another fumble recovery, while Nathaniel Cruz added to the defensive stronghold with a crucial interception, keeping the Huskies from gaining any momentum.
Zackariah Doty played a pivotal role on offense and defense, recording four tackles and securing one of Escalon’s touchdowns. Grady Johnson was a standout as well, finding the end zone twice and contributing key points that put the Cougars ahead.
In addition, Jase Govia and Eric Cardenas each added three tackles, while Andrew Machado, Trenton Kjellberg, Logan Lanza, and Karson Sandretto made key stops to maintain defensive pressure. Braydyn Bettencourt and Josiah Canela chipped in with single tackles, rounding out a strong defensive effort.
The 19-0 victory gives the Cougars a solid boost, highlighting both their defensive depth and offensive ability. Escalon looks to carry this momentum into the semifinal game when they take on the number two seed Argonaut Junior Mustangs at Hughson High School.
Varsity
The Road to Redemption is the theme for the Varsity Cougars. The only three losses suffered in the season to Argonaut, Calaveras and Hughson will poetically be the path to become Super Bowl Champions.
The Varsity Cougars put on a stellar performance against the Argonaut Mustangs, clinching a decisive 32-6 victory and avenging a shutout loss earlier in the season at the hands of the Mustangs. With a strong showing on both sides of the ball, Escalon showcased a balanced attack and relentless defense, securing another win in their season.
Leading the offense was Steven Fenton, who rushed for two touchdowns and bolstered the Cougars’ defense with seven tackles. Fenton’s contributions were complemented by Trevor Jansen, who snagged two interceptions and scored two receiving touchdowns, providing both defensive resilience and offensive firepower.
Archer Sanders showed impressive versatility, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for one, which helped keep Escalon’s offense in control and the Mustangs on their heels. Noah Gonsalves and Ryker Lial added to the defensive effort, recording five and four tackles, respectively, as Escalon kept Argonaut’s offense contained.
The Cougars’ defense was rounded out by solid contributions across the roster. Kaiden Crawford made four tackles, Ty Caton and Trevor Jansen each added two, while Trey Herrera, Easton Hunt, Jaxon DeGruy, Gavin DeCroix, Lucas Trejo, and Adam Cordeiro also pitched in with a tackle each.
Escalon’s well-coordinated effort allowed them to dominate the game, maintaining control and outpacing Argonaut at every turn. This 32-6 win underscores the Cougars’ strength and consistency as they move on to the semifinals against number two seed Calaveras Reds at Sonora High School.
EYC Cheer
The Escalon Youth Cougar Cheer Squads made a triumphant showing at the Motherlode Valley Cheer Competition held at Calaveras High School this past Sunday. The young athletes displayed impressive spirit and skill across multiple divisions, bringing home top placements and highlighting their dedication and talent.
The Cougar Mascots earned a strong third place finish, showcasing their energy and teamwork in front of a spirited crowd. The Novice team followed closely with a fourth place finish, demonstrating their growing skills and commitment to the sport.
Escalon’s Junior Novice, Junior Varsity, and Varsity teams stole the show, each securing first place in their divisions. Their routines displayed precision, athleticism, and creativity, earning them the top spots and applause from the audience.
The competition was a fantastic day for the Escalon Youth Cougars, who brought pride to their community and demonstrated the hard work and spirit that defines Escalon cheer.
