The varsity Escalon Outlaws, wanting to continue their winning ways of late, played host to the visiting Waterford Sabrecats this past Saturday. Escalon needed a win to keep pace at the top of the Mother Lode Valley Football League standings. The Outlaws, celebrating their eighth graders playing their last regular season home game, added some emotion to an already tense game atmosphere.
The Outlaws would force Waterford to punt on their first possession with tackles for a loss registered by Caleb Cavanaugh and Mathew Baptista. It only took three plays for Escalon to mark the scoreboard after taking possession at the Sabrecats’ 30-yard line. Baptista would carry the last eight yards into the Waterford end zone. Jacob Martin would add the point after touchdown kick to give Escalon the early 7-0 lead.
Waterford would answer on their next possession with an 80-yard drive scoring on fourth down and goal to go from the Escalon 2-yard line. The point after touchdown conversion pass would fall incomplete closing the Outlaws’ lead to 7-6. Escalon would extend their lead with a 60-yard drive of their own. Runs by Donovan Rozevink and Baptista enveloped large chunks of yardage pushing deep into Waterford territory. Baptista would find pay dirt again, this time from 15-yards out bursting through the left side of the offensive line. The point after conversion would be a fake-kick turning into a pass from Baptista to Logan Anderson. The point after conversion extended the Escalon lead to 15-6.
Waterford would have another reply striking in short order with a long pass down the left sideline where a Sabrecats’ receiver had found an opening behind the Outlaws’ defense. The point after touchdown conversion pass would be broken up by Owen Nash. Waterford did, however, cut into the Escalon lead, 15-12. That would be as close as the Sabrecats would get. On this evening at Engel Field the Escalon Outlaws offense was a well-oiled machine scoring on its next three possessions.
A 27-yard pass from Rozevink to Nash would set up a 2-yard dive into the end zone by Ryker Peters. Waterford would have one more turn with the football before the halftime break, but a sack by Baptista and an interception by Nash would extinguish any possible momentum the Sabrecats wanted to carry into the second half of play.
In the second half it was all Outlaws. Touchdown runs by Baptista, and two more by Rozevink would close out the Escalon scoring. The Outlaws’ defense would tighten its grip and would not let go. The defensive front of Tate Christensen, Sam Hinojosa, and CJ Miller limited the Sabrecats’ ground game. Nash would step in front of another Waterford pass to log his second interception of the game.
The final score would read 42-12 Escalon. The Outlaws will travel this coming weekend to visit their perennial rival Ripon Chiefs. The teams’ records never matter in this match-up, but the expectation of a hard-fought game almost always does.
JUNIOR VARSITY
The Jr. Varsity Outlaws needed a win this week while facing the visiting Waterford Sabrecats to keep pace at the top half of the Mother Lode Valley Football League standings. The record for the Sabrecats does not reflect how tough this team is, nor how hard they played this week.
The Escalon defense had to recover after surrendering a pass that split the defense in the middle. David White made a touchdown saving tackle to give the Outlaws a chance to regroup. Regroup they did as Anthony Jones wrangled the Sabrecats’ ball carrier behind the line of scrimmage to force a fourth down and long. Jacob Cavanaugh was able to intercept the Waterford pass.
The Sabrecats would threaten again in the second quarter to break the 0-0 tie driving deep into the Escalon end of the field. The defense would stiffen again led by Jamin Miller and Ignacio Barajas. A fortunate penalty would push Waterford back to the 11-yard line. Escalon would hold to fourth down and goal to go. Josue Limones would knock down a pass to save a sure touchdown.
The Escalon offense would now take the stage. Tough running by Ruben Moreno, Miller, and Ryan Lewis would get the Outlaws out from the shadow of their own goal post. The Outlaws would find the end zone on a 17-yard pass from Miller to Lewis. The point after touchdown kick would sail wide but Escalon would garner a 6-0 lead. Escalon threatened again just before the halftime break, but the pass from Miller to Lewis would be intercepted at the 1-yard line.
The Sabrecats would score 13 unanswered points in the third quarter to take the lead 13-6. Miller would intercept a Waterford pass during the Sabrecats’ first possession of the fourth quarter. Runs by Lewis and Moreno would set up Miller through the middle of the defense shaking off would be tacklers. The point after kick would be true by Limones to give Escalon the lead at 14-13.
After a short kick the Escalon defense would hold Waterford to a turnover on downs. The punishing ground offense by the Outlaws held the ball while the game clock expired.
The Jr. Varsity Outlaws will travel to face an undefeated Ripon Chiefs team on Saturday, Oct. 13.
NOVICE
The young Escalon Outlaws were looking to grab a victory this week against the visiting Waterford Sabrecats to cling to their Mother Lode Valley Football League hopes. Escalon would need a win this week and again next week to secure their place.
The Outlaws’ offense would supply plenty of firepower. Ben Gonzalez would provide two touchdowns on runs of 35 and 40 yards. Kyrin Barajas would race in from 16 yards as well. Escalon would get a defensive touchdown after the Sabrecats fumbled an exchange in their own end zone. Mason Fiser would notch a pair of point after touchdowns to add to the score.
Fiser would also recover a fumble that was forced by Barajas to ignite one of the scoring drives. Ethan Butler and Colton Anderson also provided a defensive spark to keep the goose egg on the scoreboard for Waterford. The final score would read 29-0 Outlaws.
JUNIOR NOVICE
The youngest of the Outlaws battled in hopes of getting a win to build momentum heading toward the Mother Lode Valley Football League playoffs. Unfortunately, the Outlaws would fall 4-3 in a double overtime barn-burner.
Benett Guevara would tally two scores on runs of 25 yards and 30 yards respectively. Guevara would also have an interception while on defense. He added a score in the first overtime from two yards out following a tough run by Ian Trejo. Trejo would pitch in on defense with a fumble recovery.
The Outlaws will have to bounce back Saturday on the road against the Ripon Chiefs.
