Games on Saturday, Sept. 14 saw action at all levels, but the Escalon Youth Cougars were able to get just one out of their four teams in the win column over the Hughson squads. Here is a recap of the action.

Junior Novice

In a tightly contested matchup, the Escalon Cougars came up just short against the Hughson Huskies, losing 25-21 despite a strong team effort and several standout performances.

Sebastian Martinez led the defensive charge for the Cougars with eight tackles and found the end zone for a key touchdown, providing a spark on both sides of the ball. Hunter Jones was a key playmaker as well, recording four tackles and scoring two touchdowns, keeping Escalon in the game until the very end.

Jacob Mackrell added four tackles to the defensive effort, while Sebastian Coronado contributed three tackles in the tough defensive contest. Jack Noack and Maverick Santos made their presence known with two tackles each, with Santos also recovering a fumble that gave the Cougars a chance to shift momentum. Isaiah Gonzalez and Cayden Jones each chipped in with a tackle to round out the defensive performance.

Despite the loss, the Cougars fought hard, battling back from deficits throughout the game. The Martinez and Jones touchdowns kept the game within reach, but Hughson’s offense managed to edge out Escalon in the final moments.

Novice

In a dominant defensive display, the Escalon Cougars secured a 14-0 victory over the Hughson Huskies, showcasing their grit and determination on both sides of the ball.

Leading the charge was Andres Jimenez, who had a standout performance with 10 tackles, one fumble recovery, and a touchdown, solidifying his presence as a key player on defense. Eric Cardenas and Zackariah Doty also anchored the defense, each contributing six tackles, keeping the Huskies offense in check throughout the game.

Liam Lombardi not only added four tackles to the defensive effort but also crossed the goal line for a touchdown, helping the Cougars put points on the board. Jase Govia made an impact with three tackles and a crucial fumble recovery, while Logan Lanza, Karson Sandretto, Grady Johnson, Braydyn Bettencourt, and Josiah Canela each chipped in tackles to round out the team’s strong defensive effort.

Junior Varsity

The Escalon Cougars put up a valiant effort but were unable to overcome the Hughson Huskies, falling 19-13 in a hard-fought contest.

Kaleb Butler led the Cougars with a crucial touchdown and one tackle, while Julian Cruz added another touchdown, helping Escalon keep pace with Hughson throughout the game.

Defensively, Escalon had contributions across the board. Mason Hoover, Jameson Kuykendall, Logan Gonsalez, Noah Castellanos, Colton Faria, Levi Baca, Jax Teixeira, Lucas Kackley, and Gavin DaSilva each recorded one tackle, showcasing the team’s depth and effort in containing Hughson’s offense.

Despite their defensive efforts and the touchdowns from Butler and Cruz, the Cougars couldn’t quite close the gap as Hughson’s offense managed to pull ahead late in the game.

Varsity

The Escalon Cougars faced a tough challenge in their matchup against the Hughson Huskies, ultimately falling 42-8 despite strong individual efforts on defense.

Steven Fenton led the Cougars with five tackles, while Landen DeCroix, Trevor Jansen, Ryker Lial, and Trey Herrera each contributed three tackles in an attempt to slow down Hughson’s powerful offense.

Ty Caton was a standout on offense, scoring the Cougars’ lone touchdown and adding two tackles on defense. Adam Cordeiro also made his presence felt with two tackles, while Andrew Coble, Mason Rodriguez, Kaiden Crawford, Noah Gonsalves, and Cristian Camara each recorded a tackle to round out the defensive effort.

Though Escalon battled hard, Hughson’s offense proved too strong, pulling away early and maintaining control throughout the game. The 42-8 defeat was a tough result for the Cougars, but the team will look to regroup and learn from this game as they prepare for the next contest.

EYC Cheer

There were also 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 Tinley Lombardi (Junior Novice), Emilia Higby and Kinzley Van de Vrugt (Novice), and Korie Merafuentes (Junior Varsity).