After a scrimmage on the road at Gregori to kick off the preseason schedule, Escalon varsity and JV football will be home for three straight contests. Then it’s a long road trip across state lines to close out the preseason before hosting Ripon Christian in the Trans-Valley League opener.

The scrimmage with Gregori is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 21 – the JV and freshmen will scrimmage at 5 pm. at the Gregori High School field, with the varsity start time at 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 28, Escalon will welcome Liberty Ranch to town for the JV game at 5:30 p.m., varsity at 7:30 p.m.

That week, the freshmen will be home on Thursday, Aug. 27 to host Atwater at 6 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 4, it’s a game against the Chavez Titans, kickoff will be at 5:30 p.m. for the JV, 7:30 p.m. for the varsity at Engel Field. Freshmen play Thursday, Sept. 3 at Chavez in a 6 p.m. contest.

On Friday, Sept. 11, Escalon will welcome county line rival Oakdale to Engel Field for the annual Battle of 120, hoping to take back the Mayor’s Cup. JV game is at 5:30 p.m., the trophy contest for the varsity starts at 7:30 p.m.

Oakdale will host Escalon in the freshman contest at The Corral on Sept. 10 at 6 p.m.

On the road Friday, Sept. 18, the Cougars will travel to Damonte Ranch High School in Reno, Nevada with a scheduled 4 p.m. start for the JV team, 7 p.m. for the varsity.

That week, the frosh Cougars will be on the road at Edison, with a 6 p.m. game on Thursday, Sept. 17.

The Trans-Valley League schedule of Friday night games for Escalon includes:

Sept. 25 – Homecoming vs. Ripon Christian Knights, JV 5 p.m.; varsity 7 p.m.

Oct. 2 – At Hilmar Yellowjackets, JV 5 p.m., varsity 7 p.m.

Oct. 9 – Home vs. Hughson Huskies, JV 5 p.m., varsity 7 p.m.

Oct. 16 – At Ripon Indians, JV 5:30 p.m., varsity 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 23 – Bye Week

Oct. 30 – Home vs. Sonora Wildcats, JV 5 p.m., varsity 7 p.m.

Nov. 6 – At Orestimba Warriors, JV 5 p.m., varsity 7 p.m.

The CIF-SJS playoffs begin on Nov. 6.

For the freshmen, they have a few TVL contests mixed in with non-league action for their Thursday night regular season schedule.

They host Golden Valley on Sept. 24, 6 p.m.; play Hilmar in TVL action on the road Oct. 1 at 6 p.m.; then host Hughson in TVL play on Oct. 8 at 6 p.m.

The freshmen travel to Ripon for a 7 p.m. TVL game on Oct. 15; will be on the road at Tokay for a 6 p.m. non-league game on Oct. 15 and close out the schedule with a home game hosting Sonora in TVL play on Oct. 29 at 6 p.m.