The Escalon Varsity Outlaws youth football team scuffled in their season opener on the road visiting the Linden Jr. Lions. The Jr. Lions would jump out to a 20-0 lead capitalizing on early Outlaws mistakes. The Escalon defense had few answers for the Jr. Lions’ offensive attack. The first half ended with the Outlaws searching for adjustments to start anew in the second half.
Escalon would open the second half receiving the kick off. The coaching adjustments sparked an offensive surge. The Outlaws marched down the field on a ground assault, with a heavy dose of running from JP Lial and Christian Tinoco. Escalon was able to break the shutout on a 27-yard pass from Josh Miller to Alfonso Gonzalez. The point after kick attempt was blocked bringing the score to 20-6.
The momentum stayed with Escalon when an onside kick was recovered during the ensuing kickoff. Tinoco scrambled through a crowd of Jr. Lions to dive on the rolling ball. The Outlaws could not cash in the break with any points. The Outlaws could not mount another offensive push to apply any pressure to the Jr. Lions after a fourth down pass from Miller fell just out of the reach of Tinoco at the Linden goal line.
Linden would add a late score to put the game away pushing the score to its final, 26-6. The Outlaws will suit up again on the road visiting Calaveras in San Andreas.
JUNIOR VARSITY
The JV Outlaws would step onto the field to prove that they were up to any test that the Linden Jr. Lions could pose. The Outlaws would receive the opening kickoff and would march toward the Linden end zone. The Outlaws ripped off large chunks of yardage on an all-out ground attack with Donovan Rozevink, Ryker Peters, and Owen Nash each toting the ball in rotating succession. Peters was able to finish the drive with a 5-yard plunge into the end zone through the middle of the Jr. Lions defense. The point after kick was missed giving Escalon an early 6-0 edge.
Linden would answer quickly. On their second play from scrimmage the Jr. Lions running back was able to out race the Outlaws defense to the end zone. The point after conversion was stopped leaving the game tied 6-6.
Escalon would push ahead on a 33-yard run by Rozevink starting left, but breaking back against the flow of the defense. Peters would complete the point after conversion with another run through the heart of the Jr. Lions defense giving Escalon a 13-6 lead. Escalon’s defense would stiffen to gain a turnover on a take away by Rozevink as he wrestled the ball away from the Linden ball carrier.
The Outlaws would make quick work of the long field as Owen Nash dashed 70-yards weaving his way through and around the Jr. Lions’ would-be tacklers. The Outlaws would have the point after kick converted by Martin extending the Escalon lead to 21-6.
Escalon would tack on another score with less than 10 seconds in the first half after Linden turned the ball over on downs deep in their own territory. Rozevink found Simas in the back of the end zone while scrambling away from the rush of the Jr. Lions. The point after kick was unsuccessful, but Outlaws’ lead grew further to 27-6.
Jamin Miller would find the end zone late in the fourth quarter extending the lead further to its final 33-6.
NOVICE
The Novice Outlaws proved to be too much for their adversaries as they were able to notch a 26-6 victory. Austin Cullum, Jacob Cavanaugh, and Ben Gonzalez were able to reach the end zone. The Novice Outlaws could not be stopped on the ground as they were able to out distance the Jr. Lions’ defense.
Giovanni Chavez, Frankie Rodriguez, and Carson Medina led the defense in stifling the Jr. Lions’ offense throughout the day.
JR. NOVICE
The Jr. Novice Outlaws had their chance to show what they had learned during the early season practices and scrimmage. Noah Dooley and Griffin Gerber showed they have the knack to carry the football and the ability to block when not carrying the football.
Cole McDowell and Ethan Butler stepped up on defense to make the tough tackles when the Outlaws were on defense.
