Continuing their schedule of Trans-Valley League play, the Escalon varsity flag football girls fell to Orestimba but won against Hughson.

“Monday, we ran into Orestimba, who is a title contender, and the game got away from us early in the second half,” explained head coach Steve Largent. “Helena Arroyo caught a TD pass. Ari Velasco ran one in to tally our 12 points in the 41-12 loss.”

Largent said his team made “some aggressive mistakes” that unfortunately went against them.

“But we will be primed to give them a better fight in a few weeks’ time,” the coach said.

Wednesday, the girls were on the road at Hughson.

“In the first ever contest between the two schools with a storied rivalry, our girls brought the energy and we played our best 48 minutes and walked away 35-13 winners,” Largent said. “Just from the start we played fast and free. Senior captain Mia Arteaga led the defense with seven flag pulls and a great pass deflection. Alondra Gonzalez had a sack.”

On the offensive side, it was quarterback Ari Velasco who was the standout and the record setter, going 11-for-15 for 117 yards and a program record five touchdowns.

She found senior Haley Barker twice for scores, freshman Yesena Marsellis twice and junior Jasmine Barron once, spreading out the passes.

“We controlled the first half but Hughson scored with 35 seconds left in the first half to make it 14-7,” noted Largent. “A long pass completion from Velasco to Barron sparked us and we went down to score on the final play of the half. We then took the opening drive of the second half in to extend the lead to 28-7.”

Rebecca Wampler paced the ground game with 48 rushing yards.

The girls ended the week with a 3-1 league record, 7-9 overall. They start second half play on the road this week at Sonora.

Junior Varsity

Playing Orestimba on Monday, Sept. 30, it was a huge 54-0 victory for the JV flag football girls.

“Kenadie Baker had three touchdowns and over 200 yards rushing,” said JV head coach Joseph Dalpogetti. “Wednesday we headed down to Hughson and won 26-0.”

It was a slow start for the JV girls on the road, though, as they dropped several passes early that could have resulted in touchdowns.

“We led 6-0 with two seconds left in the first half. Hughson was at our two-yard line and threatening to score,” Dalpogetti said. “Ava Rodriguez picked them off in the end zone and returned it for a TD with no time left.”

That gave Escalon a 12-0 advantage at the half and they went on to add two more scores while keeping Hughson off the board.

“In the second half Bretta Brooks connected with Georgia Northcutt for a 60-yard touchdown pass and Isabelle Raley capped it off with a 20-yard TD run,” the coach said.

The two wins this past week lifted the JV girls to 3-0 in league; 12-2 overall.