Escalon routs Pleasant Valley, advances to second state title game in three years

When you’re hot, you’re hot and Escalon entered Friday’s CIF Northern California Division 4-AA final as hot as they come.

The Cougars (12-3) were winners of eight straight heading into the matchup with Pleasant Valley and in their first four playoff games had outscored opponents 155-64 en route to a third straight Sac-Joaquin Section title.

Escalon wasted no time asserting itself in front of a packed Engel Field crowd in a rematch of the 2019 NorCal Division 4-A final. The Cougars jumped out to a 21-0 first-half lead, powering them to a 42-20 bowl win. They will face Northwood of Irvine (14-1) — which won the Southern Section D-VIII title and beat Kennedy in the Southern California Bowl Game 10-7 — at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10.

“This team has faced some bigger struggles and obstacles (than in 2019) with losing two straight TVL games,” Escalon coach Andrew Beam said of the comparison between the 2019 and 2022 seasons. “There’s been some ups and downs big time this year, but this group of guys has really responded the right way.”

The Cougars marched down the field seamlessly on their first two drives, converting on third and fourth downs, with both ending in passing touchdowns. First, a 15-yard strike from Donovan Rozevink to Owen Nash in the first quarter, then a 10-yarder to Logan Anderson in the second. 14-0 Escalon.

The defense showed up as well, forcing a fumble on their 2-yard line, ending the Vikings’ first drive of the game.

“We were able to get on them early,” Beam said. “We had them in a good spot.”

The Vikings found some life in the first half courtesy of a Bryson McFall 80-plus-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, but Escalon went into the intermission ahead 21-7.

A forced fumble on Pleasant Valley’s first possession of the second half, recovered by Jamin Miller, and an ensuing touchdown run from Anderson essentially iced the game. Escalon went ahead 28-7 and didn’t look back.

“It was kind of over at that point.” Beam said.

Escalon wasn’t deterred by Pleasant Valley’s size. The Vikings had 11 players over 6-foot-1, but were no match for the home team’s physicality and offensive execution. The Cougars gained over 400 yards of total offense.

“Our misdirection and Wing-T was able to work to our advantage,” Beam said. “We were able to run at them even though they were bigger than us.”

Ryker Peters helped seal the game with two second-half rushing touchdowns. His 179 yards put him over 2,000 yards on the season, a total that very well could have been higher had he not been limited by injury through the middle part of the year.

The Cougars will play in their second state championship in three seasons, with both being at Engel Field. Anderson and Nash are the only two players to experience a state title after being called up to varsity in 2019 as freshmen.

“We’re really excited, but we’re more excited because we get to play this game at home,” Beam said. “To be able to host a state title game again in front of our community is an ultra special moment.”

Quinton Hamilton

The Modesto Bee

Quinton Hamilton covers high school sports for The Modesto Bee. He is a Southern California native and received his bachelor’s degree from Pacific Union College and a master’s in journalism from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. Quinton has worked at the Record-Journal in Meriden and helped on projects at Hearst Connecticut.