Jason Diniz, Escalon

JASON DINIZ

Escalon running back

The buck sweep is the first play a coach puts into the playbook when installing the wing-T offense, and it's been staple of Escalon's attack since before coach Mark Loureiro took over the program in 1988.

The beauty of the buck sweep -- both guards pull to open a hole for the running back while the tight end and tackle block down -- is it can be run repeatedly, as the Cougars showed in their 38-7 rout of Patterson. Jason Diniz ran the play numerous times during his 14-carry, 147-yard game, and his TD gave Escalon a 14-0 lead.

"He gets his shoulders square when he's going through the hole, allowing him to cut back against the grain or bounce outside," said Loureiro, whose senior also kicked five extra points and a 32-yard field goal.

"We had two kids run for more than 100 yards, and another who was just seven yards short," Loureiro said. "I've never had three backs go over 100 yards in a game, not even get near it. It was quite a night for us."

-- RICHARD T. ESTRADA