As July gave way to August, hundreds of youngsters braved the Saturday heat – temperatures edging into triple digits – and suited up for their first of the season youth soccer games in Escalon.

The new season officially kicked off on Aug. 1 and city officials said this year features a total of 942 participants. Ages of players range from the youngest of the Tiny Tots at just 3 years old on up to the mid-teens in the oldest divisions. Co-ed soccer is played by the youngest teams, with separate boys and girls teams in the older age groups. The season for the 97 teams registered runs through Saturday, Sept. 26 with games played at the Hogan-Ennis Park complex adjacent to the Escalon Community Center.

“The city continues to see robust participation from not just Escalon but the surrounding communities for a well-run youth soccer program,” noted Trevin Barber, Escalon’s Development and Community Services Manager.

He added that the program “would not be possible” without the support from the Escalon Recreation Commission and City Council, as well as “the volunteers and coaches that work tirelessly to make this program a success.”

The Youth Soccer program in Escalon also has support from MLS Go, which provided a donation through its impact program.

Throughout the day on Saturday, there were games at all levels. Some saw Tiny Tots players choosing to take a seat on the field instead of chasing after the ball; others saw players scoring goals and already displaying a signature celebration once the ball was in the net.

And though temperatures definitely heated up, there were some hydration breaks for players and coaches mixed in along the way.

“We also want to highlight that for the first time PG&E has stepped up in a huge way as our official Safety Sponsor,” Barber explained, “offering $15,000 to sponsor our Referees as well as provide financial aid for youth that otherwise would not be able to afford to participate.”