Two games in to the Trans-Valley League schedule, Escalon is 0-for-2.
It’s not a situation the Cougars are accustomed to, but it’s one they find themselves in after losing to Hughson on Sept. 16 and being edged out this past Friday night, Sept. 30 at Hilmar.
And while thoughts of a TVL title are slipping away, head coach Andrew Beam said the slow start doesn’t mean the season is lost.
“There have been a few times that we haven’t won the league title and we’ve gone deep in the playoffs,” Beam pointed out.
Escalon, which played to a 3-1 record in preseason against some top echelon teams, has had difficulty getting back into that form so far against league opponents. However, Beam said he feels they can right the ship, and believes that comeback can start this week.
Escalon will host Modesto Christian on Thursday night, Oct. 6. The unusual day early contest will see the freshman Cougars on the field first, hosting Stagg, with the varsity Cougars then doing battle against the visiting Crusaders. It will also be the ‘Tiny Cougars’ night, when young cheerleaders will showcase skills they have learned working with the Escalon cheer squad.
The JV Cougars, meanwhile, will play on Friday night, as they go on the road to Gregori.
But for the varsity, the focus will have to be on Modesto Christian, as the squad needs to take one game at a time and get some league wins in the books.
“We haven’t hit the panic button,” Beam said of players and coaches. “Tradition says we get stronger as the season goes on.”
The remaining opponents for Escalon include Modesto Christian and Riverbank, both home games, with road games at Ripon and Livingston. Running the table at this point would give the Cougars a 7-3 record and guarantee them a playoff spot.
“We have to focus on ourselves and fix the little things,” explained Beam. “Our attention to detail has been a problem, so we need to focus on the little things, all the details because those details matter. Hopefully we can get some wins, get everybody rejuvenated … that’s our mindset.”
