Unexpectedly getting a game in this week, Escalon’s freshman team was on the road and got their first victory of the season.

“We were losing 12-0 at the half and ended up winning 20-18,” said coach Joey Costa.

Describing the week as “a jumble,” Costa said originally they thought the JV team would get to play but it turned out to be primarily the freshmen – with a few sophomores mixed in – that suited up for the game at Edison of Stockton. Late word that Edison didn’t want to face a full JV team with their young players saw the Cougar freshman team take the field instead. It was also a week where neither the freshman or JV teams had a game scheduled but officials were glad to have the chance to pick one up just a short distance from home.

Costa said they had four sophomore linemen with them but the bulk of the players were freshmen, including some that have played at the JV level this season.

“JP Lial had two touchdowns and quite a few yards,” Costa said. “Christian Tinoco had over 60 yards and on a couple of JP’s long runs, he was blocking for him, plus he had two interceptions.”

The coach said both players “have a presence about them” and carry themselves well on the field. Lial has a little more size, the coach added, but Tinoco has more speed.

Even taking a few extra players with them, the Cougars fell far short on numbers, with Edison suiting up more than 40 kids for the Thursday night contest. Still, battling throughout the game saw Escalon come back from the early deficit to get the win.

“Sebastian Snow played well at center and anchored the offensive line for us,” Costa said. “Also freshman Edwin Salquero was a defensive standout for us at linebacker.”

Thursday night, the freshmen will be back in action, hosting Ripon at Engel Field with kickoff at 6 p.m.