It didn’t matter that the rain was coming down – hard – on Friday night in Escalon.

Gathered for a huge Trans-Valley League rivalry game, the community first recognized the Escalon High School senior cheerleaders and football players, honored along with their parents and various family members, prior to kickoff of the varsity contest.

Escalon came from behind to get the win, 14-9. See story, additional photos in Sports, Page A15.

For varsity head coach Mark Loureiro, the Senior Night is always bittersweet, as it is the final regular season home game for his senior players, while the cheerleaders also take the field for a final time. Because of this week’s rainfall, however, they were not able to do their normal halftime routine but still kept the crowd pumped up and into the contest.

Each cheerleader and player is presented with a flower to give to the family member or members standing with them on the sideline and each is introduced to the crowd.

Senior cheerleaders included Abbie Duarte, Carlesse Mims, Dulce Escalante, Francis Rosales, Jacqueline Valeriano, Jorden Weiher, Julianna Antonacci, Julie Victorino, Juliya Roche, Kaylyn Radford, Paige Fisher and Trevor Stime.

Senior football players recognized included Drake Silveira, Chase Tompson, Javier Perez, Brandon Grogan, Caleb Mullen. A.J. Camarena, Leon McDonald, Gustavo Munoz, Devyn Roque, Travis Nascimento, Christian May, Wesley Dick, Adam Roberson, Juan Pantoja, Michael Kaiser, Matthew Gallego, Gonzalo Gonzalez, Andrew Panero, Eric Marrufo, Tony Santos, Jesse Talamantes, Marc Ney, Collin McCrary, Jorge Salgado, Marcus Williams and Troy Williams.

Escalon’s Halloween ‘Fright Night’ victory over Ripon sets up a showdown this week, as the Cougars travel to Modesto Christian for the regular season finale. Both teams come in at 4-0 in league play; the winner of the contest will be the Trans-Valley League champion. Both teams will continue to the postseason, though likely will play in different divisions.