The Escalon Outlaws youth football teams opened their 2015 season against the AMA Jr. Bullfrogs in games played Saturday, Aug. 22. Here is a look at how the squads fared in their contests.
Varsity
The Varsity was up to the task, defeating the Jr. Bullfrogs 51-7. The scoring was opened on the Outlaws’ first drive with Damien Tom on a run through the heart of the Jr. Bullfrog defense.
The Outlaw defense was stingy on this day as the first series for the Bullfrogs resulted in a punt attempt on fourth down. The attempted punt was blocked by Tom, setting the Outlaws up deep in Jr. Bullfrog territory. Soon the Outlaws visited the end zone on a 10-yard run off of the right end by Colton Panero.
The defense again held firm causing another punt from the Jr. Bullfrogs. This punt was received by Kaden Christensen and returned down the right sideline to the end zone only to be called back by a penalty. This minor setback only delayed the inevitable as Christensen connected with Steven Gately on a 35-yard TD pass.
The scoring kept coming in the second quarter with a 65-yard punt return from Christensen that was flag free, an 8-yard hard run from Brian Hale and an interception returned for a touchdown by Kaidence Trejo as the second quarter time expired.
The tough Outlaw defense relented allowing the Bullfrogs to tally a score late in the third quarter with the game well in hand. The defense was led for the most part of the day by Jacob Walden. Walden was a terror in the Jr. Bullfrog backfield throughout the day, imposing his will as he wished.
Garret Nash picked up a late score to end the day for the Outlaws. The Outlaws will be in action again next week hosting the Sonora Jr. Wildcats on Engel Field at Escalon High School.
Junior Varsity
The Junior Varsity Outlaws were also victorious on the day 34-6, but were met with a rude awakening by the Jr. Bullfrogs. The Jr. Bullfrogs were able to score on their first possession on a long run through much of the Outlaw defense. The Outlaws were held off of the scoreboard in the first quarter while trying to solve the riddle of the Jr. Bullfrog defense. The Outlaws defense found its way keeping the Jr. Bullfrogs from ever reaching the end zone again.
The Outlaws were able to scratch their way onto the scoreboard with a hard fought, grinding drive that ended with a Logan Webster plunge through the middle of the line into the end zone. This was the wake-up call that the Outlaws needed to jumpstart their own game. Webster would tally another score, as well as Ty Harris during the second quarter of play.
The offensive attack continued with a visit to the end zone by Jacob Redding, and concluded with a score late in the fourth quarter by Daniel Corral.
The game was mainly won in the trenches controlled on both sides of the ball by the Outlaws after the opening drive.
Novice
The Novice Outlaws played to victory on the day as well against the Jr. Bullfrogs 41-0. The Outlaws were able to score in rapid succession opening with a score on the first play from scrimmage. Alfonso Gonzalez took the hand-off and blazed through the heart of the Jr. Bullfrog defense, outracing everyone to the end zone. Gonzalez would tally four touchdowns on the day mostly on long runs around and through the Jr. Bullfrog defense.
Owen Nash and Alan Jimenez were able to get into the end zone with runs of their own around the right end.
The defense did their share on the day rarely allowing a first down. Gonzalez was also a presence well felt on the defensive side of the ball, wreaking havoc on Jr. Bullfrog ball carriers. Ayden Wilson pitched in on the defensive effort with a sack of the quarterback. Austin Ewing was able to corral a stray pass from the Jr. Bullfrog quarterback being one block away from returning it the distance for a score. Gideon Gerber was able to tuck away a fumble by the Jr. Bullfrogs to give the Outlaws offense another opportunity.
