By ALONZO TREJO

Special To The Times

Escalon’s Youth Cougars were in action on the football field to begin their season on Saturday, Aug. 17 and three of the four teams came away with wins. Here is a recap from the four divisions.

Junior Novice

The Junior Novice Cougars showcased a dominant performance in their recent game against the Galt Warriors, securing a decisive 42-6 victory. The Cougars were in control from the opening whistle, displaying a well-rounded effort on both offense and defense.

Sebastian Martinez was a standout on defense, leading the charge with an impressive 10 tackles. Martinez was all over the field, adding a fumble recovery to his already stellar performance. Jacob Mackrell was also a key contributor, recording four tackles and a crucial fumble recovery, further stifling Galt’s offensive attempts.

Hunter Jones played a dual role in the victory, with four tackles on defense and a significant impact on offense. Isaiah Gonzalez contributed six tackles, while Jack Noack and Maverick Santos added three tackles each, with Santos also finding the end zone. Cayden Jones chipped in with a tackle of his own.

Escalon’s offense was firing on all cylinders, with multiple players finding the end zone. Martinez didn’t just dominate on defense; he was also a force to be reckoned with on offense, scoring two touchdowns. Hunter Jones was a versatile weapon, scoring two touchdowns and hauling in three receptions. Sebastian Coronado added to the offensive onslaught with two touchdowns of his own.

Maverick Santos capped off the scoring for the Cougars with a touchdown, rounding out a complete team effort.

Novice

The Novice Cougars delivered a commanding performance against the Galt Warriors, securing a decisive victory, 40-0. The Cougars dominated on both sides of the ball, showcasing their depth and determination in a game that left little doubt about their prowess this season.

Andres Jimenez led the defensive charge with an outstanding 10 tackles, making his presence felt on every play. Jimenez also contributed on offense, scoring a crucial touchdown to cap off his impressive all-around performance. Liam Lombardi was another key player on defense, recording three tackles and a fumble recovery, which he converted into two touchdowns, demonstrating his versatility and impact on the game.

Zackariah Doty added to the defensive pressure with three tackles and a fumble recovery, which he turned into a touchdown, further stifling the Warriors’ attempts to gain any momentum. Trenton Kjellberg, Eric Cardenas, and Jase Govia each contributed three tackles, with Govia consistently disrupting Galt’s offensive plans. Thomas Galindo chipped in with two tackles, while Nathaniel Cruz and Andrew Machado each made significant contributions, with Cruz scoring a touchdown and Machado recording two receptions.

JV

In a hard-fought battle that extended into overtime, the Junior Varsity Escalon Cougars came up just short, losing 6-0 to the Galt Warriors. Despite the disappointing outcome, the Cougars displayed remarkable grit and determination, keeping the game scoreless through regulation.

The Cougars’ defense was relentless throughout the game, with Noah Castellanos leading the way with seven tackles. Castellanos was a constant presence on the field, helping to stymie the Warriors’ offense.

Cooper Johnson had a standout game as well, contributing three tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery. His defensive heroics kept Escalon in the game and gave the Cougars several key opportunities. Waylon Morgan and Zander Alvarado each recovered fumbles, adding to the Cougars’ impressive defensive effort.

Julian Cruz and Logan Gonsalez added to the defensive pressure with four tackles each, while Mason Hoover chipped in with three tackles and contributed offensively with a reception. Landon Machado also made four tackles, showcasing his consistency in the heart of the defense.

The Cougars’ defense was rounded out by contributions from Jameson Kuykendall, Ivan Valencia, Waylon Morgan, Zander Alvarado, Cru Herrera, Jacob Barker, and Zimri Hodge, each adding crucial tackles to keep the game within reach.

Despite the stellar defensive play, the Cougars were unable to find the end zone, and the game remained scoreless through four quarters. In overtime, the Galt Warriors managed to break through, scoring the only touchdown of the game to seal the 6-0 victory.

Varsity

The Varsity Cougars delivered a commanding performance against the Galt Warriors, securing a decisive 30-6 victory. With contributions from both the offense and defense, the Cougars showcased their depth and determination in a game that kept the home crowd on their feet.

Steven Fenton led the charge on defense, recording four tackles and an interception. He also contributed on offense with a touchdown, setting the tone early for the Cougars. Fenton’s all-around performance was a key factor in keeping Galt’s offense at bay.

Trevor Jansen was another defensive star, with two interceptions and a touchdown, further stifling the Warriors’ attempts to gain any momentum. The Cougars’ secondary was impenetrable, with Jansen and Fenton leading the way.

The defense also saw strong contributions from Ty Caton and Landen Decroix, each with two tackles, while Jaxon DeGruy added two tackles of his own. Adam Cordeiro and Noah Gonsalves bolstered the defensive front with three and four tackles, respectively, ensuring that Galt struggled to find any rhythm.

Cristian Camara made a critical play with a fumble recovery, adding to the Cougars’ defensive highlights, while Trey Herrera, Diego Garcia, and Cole Morrill each contributed with key tackles that kept the Warriors from mounting a comeback.

Archer Sanders, the Cougars’ quarterback, led the offense with two rushing touchdowns, demonstrating his ability to take control of the game with his legs. Sanders’ leadership on the field was evident as he guided the offense to a strong showing.