School won't be back in session until Monday, Aug. 20 for the Escalon Unified School District, but fall sports teams can have their first official practices for the 2012 campaign next week. Monday, Aug. 6 is the date for practices to begin and the district hosted its annual Sports Physicals Night on Tuesday, July 31 in preparation for getting athletes back on the playing fields, golf course and volleyball court.

Fall sports at Escalon High include football, girls golf, cross country, volleyball and boys soccer. Athletic Director and varsity head football coach Mark Loureiro returns with much of his coaching staff intact, though Al Caton has retired and will be replaced in the line-up by teacher Matt Loretelli. Head coach for the JV team is Randy Northcutt, while Roger Beeman leads the freshmen. Rusty Fachner returns to coach girls golf, with Rick Heflin at the helm for cross country. Volleyball will see some changes, with Stephanie Williamson taking over the JV team and Krystal Rodriguez moving in to the freshman coaching role. Teresa Williamson returns as head coach for the varsity squad.

Paul Silva is back for varsity boys soccer and Chris Oliveira will be the JV boys soccer coach this season, after taking over partway through the season last year.

Once the new school year starts, teams will play a number of preseason contests before getting into the thick of Trans-Valley League action.