The Trans-Valley League football title has returned to Escalon.
With a regular season finale victory on the road at Livingston by a decisive 49-21 margin, the Cougars completed a 5-0 league season and claimed the outright TVL title. They are now 9-1 overall and have a first week bye in the playoffs on Nov. 3.
Varsity head coach Andrew Beam said this year’s title is special, in that some teams will be leaving the TVL next season due to realignment, while others will be added.
“It’s kind of like ‘the originals’ and winning an outright TVL title is an accomplishment,” the coach said. “It makes us the 25-time league champions and that is a testament to our history, our community that supports us and the tradition of Escalon football.”
The Friday night, Oct. 27 road win also put Escalon at 599 victories.
“That is number two all time in the Sac-Joaquin Section,” Beam noted. “Manteca is number one and we are tied with Grant at number two.”
Beam said this year’s varsity team, after completing a 4-1 preseason schedule that was a virtual gauntlet of high caliber squads, exceeded expectations by going undefeated in the TVL.
He pointed to the emergence of quarterback Donovan Rozevink, settling in for a stellar senior season as a three-year varsity starter, as taking the reins and truly leading the team.
“What he’s done, he’s led this team this year, he has rallied the guys around him,” Beam explained. “He has 24 touchdowns and three interceptions on the year, only one interception in TVL play and he has the highest completion percentage of all QBs, the highest passer rating.”
The Cougars also had a 1,000-yard rusher in senior Josh Graham, who rushed for over 100 yards in eight of the team’s 10 games so far this season.
Beam said the 2023 campaign, which started with the team on the road and playing away from Escalon every week until the Oct. 20 Homecoming Game and dedication of the newly renovated Engel Field, is one that will long be remembered.
“I’m lucky to be a part of it,” Beam said.