A decisive victory on the football field, a gala parade through the downtown and selection of a new queen were all featured in Homecoming 2009 for Escalon.
Jamie Franceschetti was crowned as the 2009 Homecoming Queen in ceremonies at midfield during halftime festivities of the Friday, Oct. 9 contest. The game itself saw the varsity Cougars defeat Bret Harte on the football field, 43-0. (See story, photos in Sports, Page A7.)
Earlier in the week, the high school had dress up days, a night rally on Monday and Powder Puff football on Wednesday, which saw the seniors take the title in the championship game over the juniors. The sophomores won the float competition on Friday night and the FFA received a special float award. Former Escalon Unified School District Superintendent Bob Wallace, now retired from that post, served as Grand Marshal, riding in the parade on Friday afternoon and acknowledged at the halftime ceremonies on Friday night.
Receiving her crown from 2008 Homecoming Queen Madison Kisst, Jamie Franceschetti was almost speechless as she accepted the crown, and was loaded down with flowers, a cape and an autographed football presented by varsity team captains Travis Cardoza, Jason Diniz, Nick Largent and her cousin, Spencer Franceschetti.
"We were all definitely pulling for each other," Jamie said of all five queen candidates, including herself, Lindsey Anderson, Amber Caton, McKenzie Palomino and Julia Thompson. "It was a great group of girls, we're all friends and I love them all."
Dad Mark Franceschetti was shaky, but beaming, as he watched his daughter feted at midfield.
"I'm very, very proud," he said.
Mom Sherri Franceschetti - Homecoming Queen herself 30 years ago - offered hugs and congratulations as she sent her daughter off on a 'victory lap' around the track, riding in style.
"I'm really excited, very happy for her," Sherri said. "It was a very hectic week, very exciting, we've had a lot of fun."
For her part, the new queen said she liked the Monday night rally the most and thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Homecoming festivities with her fellow candidates.
Following the game, players were happy to have done their part to make Homecoming a success, winning the game for the big crowd in the stands.
"It means everything," said quarterback Spencer Franceschetti of the win.
He also couldn't have been happier for his cousin, Jamie.
"It was awesome," he admitted of her receiving the crown. "I'm glad she won it, I've grown up with her and she's just a great person."
Steve Silva, who again got into the end zone a few times for the Cougars, said it was important to get all players involved in the win.
"We made a statement," he said of taking a huge first quarter lead. "I've got full confidence in my team and we play well under pressure ... it was a great thing to come out with a win and I'm glad we got everyone in there."
Defensive standout Derrick DeFreitas said preparation is key for the Cougars.
"We just work really hard, study film," he said of getting ready for each opponent. "Every game is fun."
Nick Largent said the team is happy with a 5-0 preseason mark but now will start Trans-Valley League play.
"We've got to take it game by game," he said.
Like many first string players, Largent said it was important for everyone on the roster to get some playing time for Homecoming.
"These guys hit us hard in practice every week, they deserve it," he said of second unit players taking the field. "I'm glad to see everyone got their chance."
Senior Zac Baker, going in with the second unit offense, had a huge cheering section in the crowd and was all smiles after the contest.
"It was fun, I definitely enjoyed every minute of it," Baker said of getting the chance to carry the ball and contribute to his team's offensive statistics. "It was one of the best moments of my life."
Jamie Franceschetti was crowned as the 2009 Homecoming Queen in ceremonies at midfield during halftime festivities of the Friday, Oct. 9 contest. The game itself saw the varsity Cougars defeat Bret Harte on the football field, 43-0. (See story, photos in Sports, Page A7.)
Earlier in the week, the high school had dress up days, a night rally on Monday and Powder Puff football on Wednesday, which saw the seniors take the title in the championship game over the juniors. The sophomores won the float competition on Friday night and the FFA received a special float award. Former Escalon Unified School District Superintendent Bob Wallace, now retired from that post, served as Grand Marshal, riding in the parade on Friday afternoon and acknowledged at the halftime ceremonies on Friday night.
Receiving her crown from 2008 Homecoming Queen Madison Kisst, Jamie Franceschetti was almost speechless as she accepted the crown, and was loaded down with flowers, a cape and an autographed football presented by varsity team captains Travis Cardoza, Jason Diniz, Nick Largent and her cousin, Spencer Franceschetti.
"We were all definitely pulling for each other," Jamie said of all five queen candidates, including herself, Lindsey Anderson, Amber Caton, McKenzie Palomino and Julia Thompson. "It was a great group of girls, we're all friends and I love them all."
Dad Mark Franceschetti was shaky, but beaming, as he watched his daughter feted at midfield.
"I'm very, very proud," he said.
Mom Sherri Franceschetti - Homecoming Queen herself 30 years ago - offered hugs and congratulations as she sent her daughter off on a 'victory lap' around the track, riding in style.
"I'm really excited, very happy for her," Sherri said. "It was a very hectic week, very exciting, we've had a lot of fun."
For her part, the new queen said she liked the Monday night rally the most and thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Homecoming festivities with her fellow candidates.
Following the game, players were happy to have done their part to make Homecoming a success, winning the game for the big crowd in the stands.
"It means everything," said quarterback Spencer Franceschetti of the win.
He also couldn't have been happier for his cousin, Jamie.
"It was awesome," he admitted of her receiving the crown. "I'm glad she won it, I've grown up with her and she's just a great person."
Steve Silva, who again got into the end zone a few times for the Cougars, said it was important to get all players involved in the win.
"We made a statement," he said of taking a huge first quarter lead. "I've got full confidence in my team and we play well under pressure ... it was a great thing to come out with a win and I'm glad we got everyone in there."
Defensive standout Derrick DeFreitas said preparation is key for the Cougars.
"We just work really hard, study film," he said of getting ready for each opponent. "Every game is fun."
Nick Largent said the team is happy with a 5-0 preseason mark but now will start Trans-Valley League play.
"We've got to take it game by game," he said.
Like many first string players, Largent said it was important for everyone on the roster to get some playing time for Homecoming.
"These guys hit us hard in practice every week, they deserve it," he said of second unit players taking the field. "I'm glad to see everyone got their chance."
Senior Zac Baker, going in with the second unit offense, had a huge cheering section in the crowd and was all smiles after the contest.
"It was fun, I definitely enjoyed every minute of it," Baker said of getting the chance to carry the ball and contribute to his team's offensive statistics. "It was one of the best moments of my life."
