Taylor Laugero was crowned Homecoming Queen, the Junior Class won the float competition and the sophomore girls earned their second consecutive Powder Puff title.
All in all, a successful Fall Homecoming for Escalon, the only downside was a varsity football loss on the gridiron. But even that had a caveat – as it was the third game for the varsity Cougars in 12 days, while their opponents were well rested, coming off their bye week.
Nonetheless, it was a hectic, fun week for EHS students, their family and friends, with a night rally on Tuesday, the competitive Powder Puff action on Wednesday and the downtown parade on Friday afternoon. That gave way to the evening football games, the JV team winning and the varsity taking the loss.
Laugero, accompanied by her dad Jeff, was all smiles as she accepted the Homecoming Queen crown from 2014 queen Julie Victorino. She also was presented with a signed football, flowers and cape by football team captains Logan Widmer, Daniel Gonzalez and Dustin Lawrence during the halftime festivities. Then it was off for a whirlwind ‘victory lap’ around the track in a convertible, waving to the hometown fans.
“Oh, my gosh, this week has been a blast,” Laugero, daughter of Jeff and Irene Laugero, said enthusiastically. “From the dress up days to the rally, to tonight, it’s just all been so much fun.”
She also gave a shout out to her fellow candidates, Emma Borba, Cindy DeFreitas, Vanessa Kualapai and Tristin King.
“I would have been okay with any one of them winning,” Laugero said, smiling. “I’m just so thankful, so grateful to be nominated and to win is an honor.”
Longtime teacher and coach Rick Heflin was also saluted on Friday, riding in style as the Grand Marshal for the parade and taking a lap around the track at halftime of the varsity game.
The Junior Class, with a theme of Adventureland, claimed top honors in the float competition.
On Wednesday night, it was time for the girls to battle it out on the gridiron, clashing in the annual Powder Puff games.
The seniors took on the freshmen in the opener and got past their younger counterparts in a 12-8 final. Next, the sophomores ran their way to a 20-6 victory over the juniors. The sophomore girls, who were defending champions, having won last year as freshmen, then took down the seniors in the championship match. They defended the title with a 14-6 victory.
And even though the culmination of events on Friday night saw the varsity football team fall, they have a bye this week.
That will allow them to heal some wounds, rest their bodies, and get ready for the start of Trans-Valley League play next week, said head coach Mark Loureiro, when they will host rival Hughson on Friday, Oct. 9.
