By ALONZO TREJO
Special To The Times
All four Escalon Youth Cougars football teams found themselves on the losing side in action recently, as they faced off against Argonaut.
Junior Novice
In a hard-fought game, the Junior Novice Cougars fell to the Argonaut Mustangs 18-6 on Saturday. Despite the loss, the Cougars showed defensive grit and determination, with several players stepping up to make key plays.
Leading the defense was Sebastian Coronado, who recorded seven tackles and scored the Cougars’ lone touchdown. Coronado’s all-around performance kept Escalon within striking distance throughout the game. Hunter Jones and Sebastian Martinez both made crucial contributions, each tallying five tackles to keep pressure on Argonaut’s offense.
Caden Jones made a big impact with two tackles and a key fumble recovery that gave the Cougars a chance to turn the tide. Isaiah Gonzalez and Maverick Santos also added two tackles each, showcasing the team’s defensive depth.
Argonaut managed to outpace Escalon offensively, putting up 18 points and securing the win. The Cougars, though, continued to fight until the end, with Coronado’s touchdown serving as a bright spot in an otherwise challenging outing.
Novice
The Novice Cougars fought hard but were unable to overcome the Argonaut Mustangs, falling 12-0 in a tough defensive contest.
Despite the loss, the Cougar defense showcased resilience, with several standout performances. Linebacker Andres Jimenez led the team with nine tackles, constantly disrupting the Mustangs’ offensive rhythm. Karson Sandretto followed with five tackles, while Jase Govia added four solid stops. Zackariah Doty and Westyn Costa chipped in with three tackles each, contributing to the Cougars’ defensive effort.
Additional strong defensive contributions came from Eric Cardenas and Andrew Machado, who each had two tackles. Logan Lanza also contributed with two tackles, while Couper Nielsen, Liam Lombardi, and Grady Johnson each registered one tackle. Johnson also recovered a key fumble, giving the Cougars an opportunity to regain momentum.
In another key moment, Josiah Canela recovered a fumble, but the Cougars were unable to capitalize on the turnover.
Argonaut managed to break through Escalon’s tough defense twice, scoring the only points of the game. Despite the Cougars’ valiant defensive efforts, they were unable to find success on the offensive side, leading to the 12-0 loss.
Junior Varsity
The Junior Varsity Cougars narrowly fell to the Argonaut Mustangs, 7-6, in a tense and closely contested game on Friday night. Despite a stellar defensive performance, the Cougars came up just short in a game that went down to the wire.
The Escalon defense was anchored by standout performances from Landen Silva and Jace Turnbough, each recording five tackles. Noah Castellanos, Damion Sorrick, and Zander Alvarado each added three tackles, with Sorrick making a key play by intercepting a pass to halt an Argonaut drive.
On top of their solid tackling, Logan Gonsalez, Jacob Barker, and Gavin Da Silva contributed two tackles each, while Lucas Kackley, Julian Cruz, Cooper Johnson, and Landon Machado each chipped in with one tackle. Cruz provided the Cougars’ only score of the game, finding the end zone for a much-needed touchdown. Levi Baca added to the defensive effort by recovering a fumble, which kept Escalon in the game.
The Mustangs managed to score just enough to edge out the victory, with their lone touchdown and extra point being the difference. Despite several opportunities, Escalon was unable to convert a two-point conversion or another score to take the lead.
Varsity
The Varsity Cougars struggled offensively and fell to the Argonaut Mustangs 24-0 on Friday night. Despite a strong defensive effort from several players, the Cougars were unable to contain Argonaut’s attack and could not find the end zone in the lopsided contest.
Steven Fenton and Noah Gonsalves led the defensive charge for Escalon, each recording six tackles. Trey Herrera added five tackles, providing steady play in the middle of the field. Trevor Jansen made a key impact as well, notching four tackles and an interception, which briefly halted an Argonaut drive and gave the Cougars a chance to shift momentum.
Ty Caton and Ryker Lial contributed three tackles apiece, while Landen DeCroix, Lucas Trejo, and Cristian Camara each added two tackles. Diego Garcia rounded out the defensive efforts with one tackle.
The Mustangs offense, however, was too much to handle, as they scored 24 unanswered points, taking control of the game early and maintaining it throughout. The Cougar defense fought hard, but without offensive support, Escalon couldn’t claw back into the game.
EYC Cheer
There were outstanding performances by all cheer squads this weekend. A few ladies were acknowledged this past week for their positive attitude, helping others, conquering a skill and outstanding character. “Spirit Stick” recipients were Arianna Brunetti (Junior Novice), Olivia Taylor, Kinsley Morrill (Novice), Alayah and Trisha (Varsity).
