The Escalon Youth Cougars have been working hard the past several weeks. First week of practice known as “hell week” started July 24. Middle school and elementary aged kids try to transition from their summer vacationing to conditioning for the upcoming season. Redemption is on everyone’s mind as all three levels of football made playoffs last year but nobody brought home the championship trophy.

This is one of the largest turnouts that the Escalon Youth Cougars organization has had in years with approximately 200 football players and cheerleaders across four levels of squads registering. Before the first game even starts, the young Cougars face adversity with not having home field advantage all season as the Escalon High School Track and Field gets its much-deserved upgrades and renovation. The non-profit organization will rely a lot on fundraisers and donations to make up the loss in sales from concessions that it would capitalize on during home games.

If anyone would like to donate or support the Youth Cougars, visit the website at www.escalonyouthcougars.com.

The Cougars will host their first ‘home’ game at Johansen High School in Modesto on Saturday, Aug. 19 against the AMA Junior Bullfrogs.