Traveling for non-league action in San Ramon, the Escalon varsity flag football team took the field against San Ramon Valley and Northgate out of Walnut Creek on Sept. 10.

“Despite coming out of the night 0-2, it was the tale of two games,” head coach Steve Largent said. “Our defense played at a very high level against a top tier offense and QB in San Ramon.”

Sisters Reagan and Kenadie Baker patrolled the middle of the field, Largent said, while Tyli Holback, Ava Girardi and Rachelle Barker led the rushing attack and put the opposing quarterbacks under pressure in both contests.

“Sophomores Yaya Marsellis had an interception and Georgia Northcutt had an interception return for a touchdown negated due to a phantom ‘illegal contact’ called 40 yards away from the play,” Largent said of keys in the first game of the doubleheader.

They lost that contest, then took on Northgate, another tough team.

“Unfortunately, the second game left a sour taste in our mouth having been in position to win late,” Largent said, noting that the team “did not capitalize and gift wrapped the game” for Northgate.

Quarterback Bretta Brooks found Marsellis for a 66-yard touchdown pass in the first half but that was the only offense the Lady Cougars could muster in game two. Seniors Reagan Baker and Soraya Aguayo both had interceptions.

“The takeaway from the doubleheader is that the defense is playing at a high level and if we play like that in the TVL we will be just fine,” Largent said. “Offensively we have to get better ad keep trying to find ways to consistently move the ball and give our defense a little time to rest.”

The girls are scheduled to host Sonora in the TVL opener on Monday, Sept. 22.