The Escalon High Cougars freshman football team lost their game on Thursday night to the Spartans of Lathrop High by a score of 20-7.

Escalon head coach Joey Costa believes that the game had a large momentum shift towards Lathrop early in the game. A long Cougars offensive drive made it all the way to the 35-yard line, but a tipped pass landed in the arms of a Spartan defender and was ran all the way back for a pick-6.

In the second quarter, another Escalon drive was stifled after a fumble was lost. A second touchdown was scored for Lathrop after a big pass play set the up at the two-yard line. The Spartans added to their lead with another touchdown score in the third quarter.

Down 20-0 in the final quarter, Ben Ferreira gave the Cougars something to smile about with a touchdown run, cutting the Lathrop lead to 20-7. But it was too little too late as the score would stand for the remainder of the game.

“It was a tough game. It’s been hard for us all year as we’ve experienced some brutal injuries,” Costa said. “It’s not an excuse, but we’re dealing with it as I’m sure all other teams are. But we’re struggling to move the ball with our offense and our offensive line needs to get better.”

Costa explained that the consistent bright spot all year has been the defense, but that a lack of offensive success is not always setting the defense up for success.

“Our defense has kept us in some close games, but it’s not realistic to have them continue to have success if they’re on the field for the entire game,” he said.

The loss drops the frosh Cougars to 4-3 on the 2022 season. They will look to end the season on a high note when they close out the year on Thursday at home against rival Ripon High.

“They’ve had some similar results as we have against familiar opponents, and since they’re a rival, it should be a good game. I expect things to be close and hard fought.”