From the frying pan into the fire… After battling to a 2-3 record in preseason action against some tough opponents, the Escalon Cougars varsity football team starts the Trans-Valley League season this week. They will be home for the Friday night contest, Oct. 7, welcoming the rival Hilmar Yellowjackets to Engel Field. “They’re the preseason favorites, they return more kids than anybody and they were the league champs last year,” noted Escalon head coach Mark Loureiro.