The Escalon Outlaws spent another weekend in the foothills, visiting the Sonora Jr. Cats and looking to extend this season’s winning streak. The Outlaws have benefitted from a dominating ground game behind the offensive line of Alex Guevara, Jacob Redding, Wyatt Dean, Evan Foley, and Demetrius Teixeira. The Outlaws also have a combination of physicality and speed in their running backs Luke Anderson, Logan Webster, Fabian Torres, and Carson Prim.
The Outlaws were out of the gate quickly after recovering the opening kick-off in Sonora territory when the Jr. Cats could not corral the bouncing ball. Fabian Torres raced around the left end outdistancing the Sonora defense to the end zone. The point after touchdown kick was converted by Torres giving the Outlaws an 8-0 lead. Sonora did answer with their next opportunity with a sustained drive of their own, but would have the point after touchdown kick attempt blocked.
Escalon would take the ball on the ensuing kick-off on a 59-yard drive. The Outlaws controlled the line of scrimmage marching the ball downfield ending with a 1-yard plunge by Luke Anderson. The point after touchdown kick was converted by Torres extending the Outlaws’ lead to 16-6.
The Outlaws would not look back from there, scoring again on a race around right end by Torres from the 2-yard line. The touchdown was set up by a crushing run of 24 yards by Anderson bouncing off of and running over would be tacklers. Torres would again be true with the point after kick pushing the score to 24-6.
The second half of the game was dominated by the Escalon defense led by Jacob Redding and Shane Campbell. The Jr. Cats would not get closer than the 20-yard line to the Escalon end zone.
The Outlaws would add scores on a 52-yard pass from Ty Harris to Campbell, Campbell outrunning the Jr. Cats secondary to pay dirt. Torres would add the kick for a 32-6 advantage. Carson Prim would also reach the Sonora end zone on a 23-yard scamper around the left end, sprinting past the defense. The point after was good for a 40-6 final.
The MVFL championship title defense begins next week as the Outlaws return home to face the Waterford Sabrecats to open the regular season schedule.
JV
The Jr. Varsity Outlaws would step into a street fight with the Jr. Cats in Sonora. Both teams were prepared to fight tooth and nail to leave the field as the victor.
Sonora would have the ball after the opening kick-off, but could not advance the ball giving it over on downs. Escalon was able to strike in short order on back-to-back passes from Josh Miller to Alfonzo Gonzalez. The two passes covered 59 yards in chunks of 31yards and 28 yards. The point after touchdown failed giving Escalon an early 6-0 lead.
Early in the second quarter of play the Jr. Cats were able to score when the defense stepped in front an errant Miller pass returning it 37 yards to the end zone. The Sonora point after kick was converted giving the Jr. Cats an 8-6 advantage. The Outlaws would make good on their next effort scoring on a 32- yard rush by JP Lial. The point after kick would fall short, but Escalon would regain the lead 12-8.
The Jr. Cats would take their last possession of the first half to a score on a 37-yard pass as the clock dwindled down. The point after kick was blocked, but Sonora would hold the advantage heading into the halftime break 14-12.
Early in the fourth quarter the Outlaws were able to capitalize on a miscue by the Jr. Cats. Evan Lewis was able to race into the end zone after breaking through the middle of the Sonora defense. The point after kick was blocked, but Escalon would push out in front 18-14.
Christian Tinoco and Tyler Medina helped to lead the Escalon defense in the last stand against the persistent Sonora offensive attack. The Jr. Cats’ last gasp expired when they turned the ball over on downs with only seconds left on the clock.
Escalon escaped with a win in a hard fought battle. The JV Outlaws will begin their MVFL title defense next week returning to the friendly confines of Engel Field to meet the Waterford Sabrecats.
Novice
The Novice Outlaws were able to scratch their way into the win column with a 7-6 victory. The Sonora Jr. Cats were able to score first on a mishandled snap during a punt attempt in the Escalon end zone. The Jr. Cats pounced on the loose ball for the score. The point after touchdown kick attempt was missed giving the home team Jr. Cats an early 6-0 lead.
The defenses on both sides held steady. Escalon was able to seize control on a drive that would extend from the end of the third quarter into the fourth. Escalon steadily moved the ball into Sonora territory on the ground behind the offensive line of Giovanni Chavez, Ian Burk, Frankie Rodriguez, Anthony Jones, Gideon Gerber, Cameron Dalpogetti, and Jimmy Auble. The Outlaws were able to score to end the drive with a 12-yard pass from Jamin Miller to Alan Jimenez. Escalon’s point after touchdown conversion was converted as Lucas Johnson was able to beat the Sonora defense to the end zone pylon giving the Outlaws a 7-6 lead.
Escalon’s defense would have to protect the slimmest of margins to secure the victory. The young Outlaws would answer the challenge led by Matthew Freeseha, Jacob Cavanaugh, and Rubin Moreno.
The young Outlaws look to ride the momentum of newfound confidence into Division play matching up against the Waterford Sabrecats at Engel Field next week.
Jr. Novice
The youngest Outlaws put their abilities on display in the first football action of the day in Sonora. Hobbled by recent injuries the Outlaws would have few moments to rest with only one substitute.
The improving efforts by Connor and Cole McDowell and Logan Wentzell will serve them well in their football future. The steady performance of Ben Gonzalez and Daniel Lopez-Marrufo show that they will have much to offer as they grow.