In two of the three contests where scores are kept, the Escalon Outlaws youth football team came out on top of the host squad, Waterford, on Saturday.
VARSITY
The Escalon Outlaws left the friendly confines of Engel Field to travel to nearby Waterford for this week’s matchup against the Waterford Sabrecats. The Outlaws wanted to make up for the loss from the previous week when they stumbled against the Linden Jr. Lions. This would turn out to be a tough task as the Outlaws lost JP Lial to injury on the opening kick-off.
The Outlaws would take the opening drive 55-yards ending with a 13-yard sweep around the right side by Tyler Medina. The point after kick was converted by Alfonso Gonzalez giving Escalon a very early 8-0 lead. The rest of the first quarter was a defensive struggle with neither team able to gain much traction.
The Outlaws would find the end zone again in the second quarter. Josh Miller would find a wide open Christian Tinoco down the right sideline from 20 yards out. The point after kick was not converted, but Escalon would extend the lead to 14-0. The second quarter would close with an A. Gonzalez interception to halt a driving Waterford offense.
Waterford would open the second half of play with the ball. The Sabrecats would drive the ball 55 yards ending with a dive into the middle of the Outlaws’ defensive line. The point after kick was missed, but the scoring gap was closed to 14-6. The Outlaws could not muster any offensive momentum during the third quarter; but would take their lead into the fourth quarter.
Escalon found themselves driving the ball again toward the Waterford end zone. This drive would end with Medina reaching pay dirt once again. Miller found him open slanting across the middle on a 25-yard pitch and catch. The point after kick was missed again, but the lead would grow to 20-6. A. Gonzalez would squash the Sabrecats’ last gasp, leaping to make his second interception of the night.
The Outlaws will have another test next week as the Jr. Reds from Calaveras come to town. The Varsity Outlaws will be celebrating Eighth Grade night for those that are spending their last season in the Silver and Black of the Escalon Outlaws.
JUNIOR VARSITY
The Jr. Varsity Outlaws ran into a buzz-saw of sorts in their meeting with the Waterford Sabrecats. The Outlaws will have to make some adjustments to have the answers should the two teams meet again in the play-offs. Waterford would come out firing after receiving the opening kick-off. The Sabrecats would strike on the first play from scrimmage as the Waterford running back swept around the defensive left end for a 52-yard dash to the end zone. The point after kick was blocked, but Waterford would enjoy a very early 6-0 lead.
The Outlaws would punt on their first possession, but that did not stop them from getting on the scoreboard. The Sabrecats’ ball carrier would run into a pile along the defensive right sideline, then Donovan Rozevink would strip the ball free and sprint 54 yards to the end zone. The point after kick would be true by Jacob Martin giving Escalon a lead at 8-6. The lead would be short lived as Waterford would score 35 unanswered points.
The Outlaws would score a late touchdown on a Rozevink keeper. Martin would add the point after kick taking the score to its final of 41-16.
NOVICE
The Novice Outlaws were dominant in their match up this week with Waterford, taking the win 27-0. Touchdowns were scored by Austin Cullum, Carson Medina, Jacob Cavanaugh, and Kyrin Barajas.
The Outlaws are defensively stout. Giovanni Chavez, Hayden McPherson, Ben Gonzalez and Medina led the way with sacks and many tackles for loss. Josue Murga stepped in front of an errant pass for an interception.
The young Outlaws are in the driver’s seat with only two weeks left on the schedule, but there are two tough opponents waiting in the Calaveras Jr. Reds and the Ripon Chiefs.
JUNIOR NOVICE
The youngest of the Outlaws gave it their all this week, but the lack of substitutes proved to be the deciding factor as the pressure from the Waterford Sabrecats wore them down. Ethan Butler was able to race 90 yards into the Waterford end zone just before the halftime buzzer would sound. Connor McDowell also carried the ball well during the contest.
The defense was able to muster two goal line stands to have the Sabrecats turn the ball over on downs. Cole McDowell and Griffin Gerber led the way chasing down the Waterford ball carriers.
