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Escalon Youth Football Outlaws Split Games With Ripon
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The Escalon Outlaws traveled to nearby Ripon to face their perennial rival Ripon Chiefs. In this varsity meeting, as in every year, current records and standings do not mean very much. The games are almost always well played and hotly contested. The Outlaws were riding a six-game winning streak, while the Chiefs were looking for momentum for the Mother Lode Valley Football League playoffs.

Ripon would have the ball first after the opening kick-off. The Chiefs would take the opening drive 64 yards, all on the ground, around and through the Outlaws’ defense. The point after touchdown kick was converted sending Ripon out to an early 7-0 lead. Escalon would answer with their first drive. Tough running by Matthew Baptista and Ryker Peters forced the ball into Ripon territory after having started on their own 30-yard line. Logan Anderson would tear into the Chiefs’ defense sweeping for 34 yards around the right end. Baptista would cover the last 12 yards bursting through the right side of the offensive line. The point after kick by Jacob Martin would split the uprights to tie the score 7-7.

That would be as close as Escalon would ever be. Ripon would return the ensuing kick-off exploiting a gap in the Outlaws’ coverage. The point after kick would make the score 14-7. Ripon would score another 28 unanswered points before Escalon would find the end zone again. Baptista would tote the ball 68 yards, this time around the left end outracing the Ripon defense. Martin would convert the point after kick again. The final score would read 42-14 Ripon.

The Escalon defense had few answers for the Ripon running attack. Donovan Rozevink and Luis Velarde each recorded a sack for the defense. Ayden Wilson caused a fumble after chasing down a Ripon ball carrier, where Owen Nash was able to recover the loose ball. Adjustments will have to be made before the match-up next week. These same two teams will meet again in the first round of the MVFL playoffs. This time Ripon will have to travel to Escalon, who has been designated one of the four host sites for the first round of the playoffs.

 

JUNIOR VARSITY

The JV Escalon Outlaws had their work cut out for them in this week’s match-up. The home Ripon Chiefs were undefeated coming into the game wanting to finish the regular season schedule in the same manner.

Ripon attacked the Escalon defense with a fierce ground assault. The Chiefs would score 32 points before the halftime intermission. Escalon would have the ball last before the halftime siren. This possession would be their best up to that moment in the game. The Outlaws were steadily moving the ball on the ground with hard runs by Jamin Miller and Ruben Moreno.

The Chiefs would add another score with the first possession of the second half extending the lead to 39-0. Escalon would have a reply, putting together a drive to break onto the scoreboard. Tough running by Miller, Ryan Lewis and Moreno marched the Outlaws down the field. Moreno would cash in the opportunity crashing into the Ripon end zone. Josue Limones would boot the point after kick through the uprights for Escalon’s last points to make the score 39-8.

Escalon will face the Tuolumne Bears next week in the first round of the Mother Lode Valley Football League playoffs. These two teams met on the first Saturday of the season where the Outlaws were able to come out on top 19-6. That same effort will be needed to extend the season. The playoff game will be played at home on Engel Field.

 

NOVICE

The young Escalon Outlaws held their own fate, the novice squad needing a win to insure their place in the playoffs. The Outlaws rose to the occasion and performed under the added pressure.

Escalon would be victorious 28-13 taking the victory from the host Ripon Chiefs. The offensive punch was supplied by Kyrin Barajas scoring three of the four Outlaws touchdowns. Ben Gonzalez supplied the fourth. Mason Fiser was able to score two point after touchdown kicks at a level where true kicks are few and far between.

Noah Dooley and Preston Sizuela pitched in on the effort from the defensive side of the ball.

Next week the young Outlaws will face the Amador Jr. Buffalos. These two teams met in the third week of the season where Escalon fell 43-0. Escalon has improved by great strides since that meeting and look to fight to extend their season. The playoff game will be held at home on Engel Field.

 

JUNIOR NOVICE

The youngest of the Escalon Outlaws needed a win this week to solidify their position in the standings for the upcoming league playoffs. Escalon would score the win 4-3.

Benett Guevara and Ian Trejo had two scores each for the offense. The offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage not allowing the running backs to be touched until they were into the second level of the defense.

Jacob Garza and Frank Carter helped preserve the one-score victory with a strong defensive presence.

The youngest Outlaws will face the Central Valley 49ers next. This meeting will be a rematch from week five, where Central Valley was able to slip away with a win 3-2. The playoff game will be played at home on Engel Field.