Welcoming the Tracy Bulldogs to Escalon for the Foundation game on Wednesday, Aug. 21, the game went in the loss column for the host team, Tracy taking a 26-18 victory over the Lady Cougars.

“We made some uncharacteristic mistakes and turnovers but fought until the end,” said head coach Steve Largent.

Tracy scored first but Escalon got the equalizer late in the first half, sending the teams into halftime tied, 6-6.

Escalon then found themselves looking at a 20-6 deficit in the second half.

“We made it 20-18 but fell short in a 2-point attempt,” Largent said of working to get the game tied.

Tracy was able to score one more time for the 26-18 final score.

“It was a great night of getting to play against a good opponent and well-organized team,” Largent said, adding that the game was a “final dress rehearsal” before the preseason.

The team went to the Merced Kickoff Classic on Saturday, Aug. 24 and had a solid day.

They opened up with a 26-14 win against Merced.

“We prepped really hard and knew we would get a big test right away,” the coach said. “Junior captain and playmaker wingback Jasmine Barron got us going with a 55-yard touchdown run on her first touch of the season.”

Barron would go on to rush for two touchdowns in the game and pulled in two touchdown passes from sophomore quarterback Ari Velasco.

“The defense led by senior captain Mia Arteaga shut out the Bears in the second half,” Largent said. “Newcomer to the program, senior defensive back Alondra Gonzalez picked off the first play of the second half and we never looked back.”

The second game was against Madera South and it was another great game overall for the squad, the Lady Cougars winning 36-0.

Junior wingback Reagan Baker paced the ground attack. Arteaga had a pick six and senior center Haley Barker caught a touchdown pass from junior QB Peyton Merrill.

“Everyone contributed and we had great plays by juniors Soraya Aguayo, Aislyn Ingles and sophomores Brooklyn Dugo and Rebecca Wampler.”

Game three came after a two-hour wait for the Lady Cougars.

“We eventually fell to the Heritage Patriots after an untimely mistake but were still deemed Group A winners after a tiebreaker,” Largent said.

Jessy Lynn Kessler connected with Barron for a 45-yard touchdown pass to highlight game three.

This week, the Lady Cougars were to host Gregori on Aug. 26, Lathrop on Aug. 28 and Livingston on Aug. 29.

“We look to compete and focus on taking the next steps to improve on a solid opening weekend,” Largent said.