By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Youth Football Squads Play Through Wild Homecoming
EYC PIX
In a memorable Homecoming Game, cut short by the Saturday night storms, the Escalon Youth Cougars varsity team shut out the Calaveras Jr. Reds, 34-0. The game was called in the third quarter; the team gathered for a photo following the win and lightning flashed once again, providing a perfect backdrop for the victory picture. Photo Courtesy Of John Lial

As work continues on Engel field at Escalon High School, the young Cougars were still able to put on a great Homecoming and eighth grade night celebration as part of Saturday’s EYC schedule. Hosted at Johansen High School, the stadium was decorated with banners, streamers, balloons and a lot of purple and gold as the theme was Cougar pride. An award was also given to the best Cougar fan with the most pride. Two of the games were delayed due to the thunder and lighting, an event that the eighth-grade players will always remember as they were acknowledged and appreciated for their time as Young Cougars and prepare for the next level.

 

Junior Novice

It was a tough start for the youngest of the squads. There were some great offensive drives but the Calaveras Jr. Reds defense was relentless and did not allow a score in the game. Quarterback Hunter Walker had a nice complete pass and there was some tough running by fullback Zackariah Doty. Defensively, Doty also led the pack with five tackles, Brayden Bettencourt with four tackles, Wesley Ramirez with three, and Gunner Engstrand, Nathaniel Cruz, and Hunter Walker with two each. The final score Jr. Reds 24, EYC 0.

 

Novice

The Jr. Reds were leading in the game 7-0 with 19 seconds in the first half, attempted a pass on fourth down that was snagged in the air by Landon Machado and returned for the TD. The point after attempt was no good so the Cougars started the second half trailing by a single point. The game would be delayed for 20 minutes to allow the nearby thunder and lightning to pass. The distraction would not be an impact as Machado would eventually score one more time to end the game victorious EYC 12, Jr. Reds 7. On defense Machado would lead the team with five tackles, followed by Andres Jimenez, Cruz Pacheco, Eric Cardenas with four tackles, Noah Castellanos, Josiah Canela with three tackles, Liam Lomabardi with two and Brodi Moorman, Landyn Bettencourt, Jase Govia, Logan Lanza contributing with one tackle apiece.

 

Junior Varsity

The Cougars would put up a fight against an undefeated Calaveras team but would eventually fall in the end. Waylon Morgan would be the lone scorer for the Cougars as the team scratched and clawed to get on the scoreboard with a final score of Jr. Reds 28, EYC 6. Outstanding efforts came from Gavin Decroix who led the team with two tackles; Ivan Valencia, Cole Morrill, and Mason Rishwain all had fumble recoveries. Easton Hunt, Brayden Merrill, Kayden Owens, Nixon Walker, Drake Munoz, Colton Faria, Dylan Borges and Cru Herrera contributed with a tackle of their own.

 

Varsity

Not the prettiest performance by the offense but the defense continued to roll. Thunder, lightning and defense would strike Calaveras hard this game as referees would end the contest in the third quarter because of weather with the score EYC 34, Jr. Reds 0. Usually throwing passes, quarterback Jake Ferreira found himself playing receiver on defense as he ended the night with three interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. Ferreira would still complete a passing touchdown with Dylan Ball on the receiving end. Ball would also return a punt for a touchdown and Dylan Machado would take a kickoff return in for a touchdown. Carter Cummings led the team with a whopping six tackles, Dylan Ball five tackles, Noah Gonsalves three and Daniel Bass, Ian Trejo, Ryan Huebner finished with two tackles.

 

This article was contributed by Alonzo Trejo on behalf of the EYC program.