Escalon runs over La Jolla to win school’s second state championship
Escalon High senior running back Kaden Christensen described the moment as surreal. Senior lineman Jacob Walden said with a grin it was one he’d never forget.
With seemingly the entire city in the stands, the Cougars roared to a CIF State Division 4-A Championship on Saturday with a 52-21 victory over La Jolla. It was school’s second state title; Escalon defeated Madison from San Diego in 2010.
How did they do it?
Well, they stuck with what worked all season: Running the ball with their three star running backs, seniors Kaden Christensen and Colton Panero and junior Luke Anderson.
The trio combined for 450 rushing yards and six touchdowns for the Cougars (14-1). Coach Andrew Beam said Anderson’s touchdown run in the third quarter was indicative of their offense this year.
With under five minutes remaining and leading 31-7, Anderson received the handoff and ran over a couple of defenders while dragging several on his way to a 24-yard touchdown.
“We were not bigger or more intimidating (tonight) but our guys were just tougher and nastier,” Beam said. “That last touchdown by Luke, there were three or four blocks where we were just burying guys.”
Anderson, who finished with 14 carries for 168 yards and three touchdowns, said his teammates rarely take plays off and their Wing-T offense wears opposing defenses down. That allows Escalon to dictate the game.
Christensen had 158 rushing yards and two touchdowns and Panero added 124 yards and a score but it was his last carry of eight yards in the fourth quarter that was meaningful.
Panero reached 1,000 rushing yards for the season after that carry, giving Escalon three running backs who achieved the feat this year.
Cougar faithful were anxious to get a good seat with some arriving at 12:45 p.m. to wait for gates to open at 4:30.
“There’s not another town like it,” Beam said. “There’s 7,000 strong in this city and they support and love their football. This is going to go down as one of the greatest nights in Engle Field history.”
Walden said the atmosphere did create nerves but after settling them, the fans gave them energy.
Escalon junior kicker Brian Barrietos made a 34-yard field goal on the team’s opening drive and Anderson scored on a 46-yard touchdown run with 2 minutes, 51 seconds remaining in the first quarter as Escalon led 10-0. Panero added a 20-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter and Escalon led 17-0.
“This group is special ... that’s all there is to it,” Christensen said.
After La Jolla (10-5) scored to cut the lead to 10 with 5:18 left in the first half, Escalon answered with two Christensen touchdown runs and Escalon comfortably led 31-7 at half.
Since the beginning of the season, expectations had been high for Escalon with such a deep roster filled with senior leadership. Initially, Beam said, he was worried with how the team would handle the attention.
As it turns out, they thrived on the pressure and embraced it, Beam said.
“There were times where we had to rebound and persevere through adversity (after a loss to Ripon) and these kids answered every call,” Beam said.
Escalon wore down La Jolla’s defense in the second half and the Cougars’ defense made it hard for the Vikings to get anything going on offense.
When the celebration began after the Cougars had won the title, it started to rain at the stadium.
“It was the ghosts of Escalon’s pasts coming to celebrate with us,” Christensen said.
After a 49-20 win over Downey on Sept. 13, Beam told his team in the postgame huddle he wanted 11 more victories.
They got the final one on Saturday.
This story was originally published December 14, 2019 at 10:56 PM.
