Looking to get back on a winning track, the varsity flag football girls were derailed in that effort this past week, losing to Hilmar and Orestimba.

They were shut out on the road at Hilmar on a rainy night, Oct. 13 and battled hard at home against Orestimba on Oct. 15, taking a one-score loss.

“Monday we had to battle the elements in Hilmar; not much happening on the offensive side of the ball in the downpour of rain,” head coach Steve Riesenbeck said of the 21-0 final in favor of the host Lady Yellowjackets.

Wednesday afternoon, it was a different story, though the same final result.

“Against the TVL undefeated Orestimba Warriors, we played a really inspired game of football but fell just short on the scoreboard,” Riesenbeck said of the 14-7 final.

Bretta Brooks connected with Kenadie Baker for the lone Lady Cougar touchdown on a long pass across the middle. Brooks then took in the extra point herself after initially dropping back to pass but not finding a receiver open.

“Defense was locked in and held Orestimba at bay for the majority of the game,” added Riesenbeck.

The girls are scheduled to play their last two regular season games this week.

For the JV girls, they lost 25-6 to Hilmar to start the week.

“Our only score came on an interception for a touchdown by Lauren Siegel,” said head coach Lisa Luis. “We played tough defensively, keeping it close until the third quarter. Veronica Quiroz and Tinley Adams played tough defensively inside.”

Against Orestimba at home on Oct. 15, the JV girls took an 18-6 victory.

“We came out with a lot of energy and intensity,” explained Luis, noting that several players contributed to the scoring. “Veronica Quiroz played well on both sides of the ball with a couple of sacks for loss. Peityn Sawyer was a spark on defense.”

GOLF

Tough matches on Oct. 7 and Oct. 9 saw the varsity Lady Cougar golfers go into the competition undermanned, as several players were working as counselors for the El Portal sixth grade science camp and unavailable, while others were sick or had events.

“For those two matches, we were very hard pressed to get even four girls on the course,” said head coach Chris Casazza.

They took a loss away at Hughson on Oct. 7, at the River Oaks course in Ceres.

“Samantha Bruns had her personal best on that course, with a 36,” noted the coach. “It was an awesome score on a deceivingly difficult course.”

Also in the 30s was Elizabeth Allan with a 39.

“I was very proud of our four girls for keeping it as close as it was in a difficult situation,” Casazza said of the 169-184 loss.

Areli Herrera shot a 53, Sofia Da Silva a 56.

Away at Ripon, on the Jack Tone course on Oct. 9, the team again fielded just four girls and the final score was Ripon 157, Escalon 222. Samantha Bruns shot a 47, Da Silva 55, Herrera 56 and Lori Brown 64.

Rainy conditions greeted the girls last week and though they were back to full strength, it was an unusual match against Orestimba on Oct. 14.

“It rained for most of the morning, and even fairly hard as we were driving to the course,” said Casazza. “Thankfully, once we arrived, the rain stopped. It was still very wet, quite breezy, and rather cold, but the rain held off, aside from a couple of sprinkles, and we were able to get the match completed.”

Escalon was on its home course, the top nine holes of River Oaks, and they recorded a team score of 160. Orestimba had only three players so it was a forfeit win for Escalon. Allan shot a 34 to lead the team, followed by Samantha Bruns, 40; Herrera, 42; Taylor Bruns, 44.

On Senior Night, Oct. 16, assistant coach Lucy Allbaugh put together a reception for the five seniors, with balloons, cookies and individual posters for all senior players: Olivia Aceves, Elizabeth Allan, Taylor Bruns, Mia Fernandes, and Ariella Partida. It was a match against Sonora, and their two seniors were recognized as well. It was late in starting, as the Sonora team was in a minor auto accident traveling to the course, getting rear ended. Thankfully, said Casazza, there were no injuries to the team.

Final score was Escalon 162, Sonora 193.

“It was awesome to get a win on our final head-to-head match of the year for our seniors,” the coach said. “Our whole squad was seniors for this match, aside from Samantha Bruns, who is the sister of Taylor Bruns, one of our seniors.”

Scores counting for the team were from Allan, who shot a 36; Mia Fernandes shot a 38, 10 strokes better than her previous personal best; Samantha Bruns had a 42 and Taylor Bruns 46.

CROSS COUNTRY

The Escalon Cougars Cross Country team had a “great time” at the last invite of the regular season. That, according to head coach Arend Jones, who said the Cougars competed at the Hughson Supercross on Saturday morning, Oct. 18.

“It is a unique race that is a 4000 kilometer distance and has a mud pit,” Jones said.

The invite started with an Open Race in which both head coach Jones and assistant coach Flores ran in, representing Escalon.

After that, the varsity boys ran, and junior Kenneth Vargas finished first for Escalon with a time of 17:49. Then the varsity girls ran, and junior Victoria Calderon finished first for Escalon with a personal best time of 18:58.

“Escalon fielded a frosh/soph boys team which placed fourth as a team,” said Jones. “Sophomore Alexander Girardi placed first for Escalon and 10th overall, with a time of 15:41.”

Both Ethan Young and Rigoberto Ramirez, also sophomores, were close behind placing 19th and 25th. Finally in the Junior Varsity races, junior Jacob Hernandez finished first for the boys with a time of 18:56. Junior Carli Jones finished first for the girls with a time of 24:22.

Next up, on Wednesday, Oct. 29, the TVL cross country teams compete for the league championship and prepare for the postseason.