Escalon Cougars

Coach: Mark Loureiro

Career record: 239-40-1

Record at school: 239-40-1

Last year: Escalon (13-1, 6-0) rolled to 12 straight wins, needed a second-half comeback to beat Central Catholic and gave up a last-minute scoring drive while losing 20-17 to Hilmar in the section final. The Cougars overcame a mid-season injury to all-district lineman Nate Caton, right up until the section final.

Last league title: 2011

Last playoff berth: 2011

Coaching staff: Max Goldstein, Ray Scott, Brandon Hoover, Matt Loretelli

Top returners: OL/DL Alan Gonzalez (6-4, 275), SE/DB Alec Von Alvensleben (6-1, 170), QB Phillip Kimble (5-11, 170),6-0, 205), FB/LB Robert Steves (5-9, 185), RB/LB Jason Robbins (5-9, 160), RB/ILB Johnathon Costa (5-7, 180), Troy Doggett (5-9, 215), C/DL Joey Gutierrez (6-0, 250), TE/OLB Alex Loureiro (6-0, 205), T/DL Brent Montgomery (6-2, 230), RB/LB Garrett Wade (5-11, 180).

Top newcomers: RD/DB Josh Redding (5-9, 160, jr.), G/LB Lance Davis (5-10, 190), G/DL Collin Strasser (6-1, 190, jr.), RB/DB Jacob Salvador (5-10, 170).

Outlook: The best senior class in the school’s illustrious history graduated last spring, and the Cougars have huge holes to fill – including halfback Josh Miguel (3,246 yards, 65 TDs last two years), The Bee’s Player of the Year in 2010 and an all-district performer last fall. … Given the opportunity, Von Alvensleben (30 catches, 25-yard avg., 6 TDs) could develop into one of the district’s top receivers. Kimble (5 of 11, 168 yards. 2 TDs, 0 INTs) takes over the QB job after spot duty as a junior, and it’s comforting knowing that Gonzalez (4 sacks on defense, too) anchors a physical offensive line. … Lots of question marks at RB, where there is little experience. Lack of a big-play back could slow the offense. … Gino Franceschetti proved how valuable special teams are to a championship program, and now coach Loureiro needs to find another sure-shot kicker.

Key game: Week 4 (Sept. 21) vs. Ripon. Escalon owns this rivalry, though Ripon will occasionally rear its head and present a challenge. The Cougars, with massive graduation losses, have to guard against such a threat this season.