Down 7-0 early, the JV Cougar football team was able to battle back against Windsor and came home with a 28-14 victory.
The game on Friday, Sept. 1 saw Windsor go ahead in the first quarter on a 3-yard rushing play with the kick good. Escalon was able to knot the score before the end of the opening frame on a 4-yard rush by Jeremy Grivette. Isaac Patino added the point after, making it 7-7.
Escalon then went on to score a touchdown in each of the next three quarters, the JV boys taking the win.
Ben Gonzalez caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from Ethan Butler in the second quarter, point after kick by Patino good, 14-7 Escalon.
A 1-yard rush by Bryce Vallee, kick by Patino in the third made it 21-7 and they capped the scoring on a 2-yard rush by Gonzalez, kick by Patino, to extend the lead. Windsor got back into the end zone on a 3-yard rush in the fourth quarter and the kick was good, with the final score ending 28-14 in Escalon’s favor.
“Windsor took a quick lead on the opening drive of the game,” noted head coach Brant Rose. “Our players were able to settle in, find a rhythm after being down so early. After that opening strike by Windsor, we really controlled the game the rest of the way.”
Rose said the run game wore the host team down and Escalon was also able to capitalize on a recovered fumble and a bad snap on a Windsor punt that put them in good field position for their second score of the day.
“It was a good win against a solid team,” Rose said.
FRESHMEN
On the road in Stockton, the freshmen faced off Thursday, Aug. 31 against Bear Creek and took a 27-6 victory.
“We led at the half 14-6,” said head coach Joey Costa.
All four of Escalon’s touchdowns came via the rush.
“Two were by fullback Noeh Dooley, and the third was by K’oz Castro, all three of those were short yardage scores inside the five,” Costa explained. “The fourth touchdown was by Curtis Thomas and it was about 25 yards.”
On the extra points, Damian Morales hit three of four.
“The offensive line did a great job led by center Logan Castellanos, guards Tyler Powell, Cole McDowell and tackles Caleb Boatman and Izaiah Rodriguez,” Costa said.
Getting kudos on defense were linebackers Noeh Dooley, Damian Morales and K’oz Castro, as well as safety Connor McDowell.
“Great overall team win,” Costa said.
