Handing a single red rose to his son Jake, Escalon High School varsity football coach Mark Loureiro watched - with a tear in his eye - as Jake in turn handed the flower to his mom, Lisa, and the three shared an embrace, then posed for a quick photo just before the start of Friday night's home football game.
Celebrated as Senior Night, the Oct. 19 contest started with recognition for the senior cheerleaders, football players and their parents and ended with the Cougars walking off the field with a satisfying 42-0 win. (See story, photos in Sports, Page B1.)
"I can't believe I didn't cry and Mark did," Lisa Loureiro said of the typically emotional Senior Night ceremony.
As head coach, Loureiro had a word of encouragement and thanks for each of the senior players on Friday night, tapping their helmet as they accepted the flower and then presented it to their parents. But when it came time for presentation of the final flower, Loureiro teared up when sharing some thoughts with son Jake, the last of the couple's three children to come through Escalon High.
Recognition for the cheerleaders and their parents came first, with cheerleaders honored including Carly Alves, Angela Blanco, Chelsea Davis, Staci Gentry, Morgan Miller, Michelle McDonald, Julie Reid, Tiffany Sterba and Kristen Steves. Senior football players followed, including Tyiler Blair, Rocky Overturf, Garrett Hawkins, Nick Williamson, Nick Aprile, Travis Hill, Jake Caton, Matt Langum, Dominick Markette, Josh May, Jesus Duran, Thomas Ray, Chase Keener, Austin Jackson, Tommy Adrian, Brandon Collins, Justin Wade, Joe Cowan, Jorge Salcedo and, finally, Jake Loureiro.
Celebrated as Senior Night, the Oct. 19 contest started with recognition for the senior cheerleaders, football players and their parents and ended with the Cougars walking off the field with a satisfying 42-0 win. (See story, photos in Sports, Page B1.)
"I can't believe I didn't cry and Mark did," Lisa Loureiro said of the typically emotional Senior Night ceremony.
As head coach, Loureiro had a word of encouragement and thanks for each of the senior players on Friday night, tapping their helmet as they accepted the flower and then presented it to their parents. But when it came time for presentation of the final flower, Loureiro teared up when sharing some thoughts with son Jake, the last of the couple's three children to come through Escalon High.
Recognition for the cheerleaders and their parents came first, with cheerleaders honored including Carly Alves, Angela Blanco, Chelsea Davis, Staci Gentry, Morgan Miller, Michelle McDonald, Julie Reid, Tiffany Sterba and Kristen Steves. Senior football players followed, including Tyiler Blair, Rocky Overturf, Garrett Hawkins, Nick Williamson, Nick Aprile, Travis Hill, Jake Caton, Matt Langum, Dominick Markette, Josh May, Jesus Duran, Thomas Ray, Chase Keener, Austin Jackson, Tommy Adrian, Brandon Collins, Justin Wade, Joe Cowan, Jorge Salcedo and, finally, Jake Loureiro.
