Escalon Football Season Falls Short of CIF State Finals

Escalon Football’s State Championship Hopes Dashed by Acalanes in 49-14 Loss

LAFAYETTE, CA – During the CIF State Division 3-AA Regionals, the Escalon football team experienced a crushing 49-14 defeat at the hands of Acalanes. The Cougars’ journey to a back-to-back state championship appearance came to an abrupt end on December 1, 2023.

“Those mistakes on those first couple drives of ours came back to haunt us and every mistake is, it is magnified in the playoffs,” said Andrew Beam, Escalon football’s head coach.

Escalon senior quarterback Donovan Rozevink expressed the heartache of the loss, saying, “We knew it was gonna come to an end…It just hurts more cause this will be the last game we play together.”

Desperate to stay in the game, the Cougars found themselves wrestling with a surging Acalanes defense. The Dons set the tone early, with senior two-way player Trevor Rogers breaking the game open with a 50-yard pick six that put Acalanes ahead 7-0. Escalon’s red zone struggles further compounded their challenges, allowing Acalanes to build a commanding 21-7 lead by halftime.

As the game reached its closure, with the Dons holding a 42-14 lead, Escalon and its loyal fan section continued to rally their team until the final seconds of play. Despite the result, Escalon remains proud of its achievements, having walked away with an impressive overall record of 12-2 and a perfect 5-0 Trans Valley League record.

Following the loss, head coach Beam spoke highly of the departing seniors, recognizing their accomplishments and contributions to the team’s storied history. “When we get over this loss there’s going to be a lot of positive to reflect on…They’ve got no reason to hang their heads.”

Although the 2023 season may have ended sooner than they had hoped, the Escalon Cougars can take solace in the legacy they have left behind.

Record reporter Shannon Belt covers sports. She can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @ShannonBelt3. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

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Alex Martin

Alex Martin is your guide to the global phenomenon of football. With a focus on international leagues and tournaments, he provides match commentary, player interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of football.