Lawson’s 83-yard fumble return for TD propels Patterson past Escalon

Patterson High rolled to a 53-34 nonconference victory over Escalon on Friday in a game that was tied late in the third quarter.

Michael Lawson, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a junior, got his senior campaign off to a good start with 140 yards on just nine carries.

The senior running back scored on a 16-yard run, an 83-yard fumble recovery and an 80-yard pass from quarterback Kevin Todd.

Patterson entered the season unranked among The Bee’s top 10 large-school programs, but will surely find its way into the poll this week.

Next week, the Tigers will entertain top-ranked Ripon, a 34-20 winner over defending Valley Oak League co-champ Sierra. Escalon will make its home debut Friday against Calaveras.

Escalon trailed by two scores at the break, but tied the score 27-27 after TD runs of 14 and 6 yards by C.J. Gumbs, who scored the Cougars’ first touchdown of the season with his first-quarter, 95-yard kickoff return.

After Escalon tied the score, Patterson took the lead for good on Lawson’s scoop-and-score.

The teams have played some memorable games in recent years. Last season, Patterson won 47-34 at Lloyd Engel Field, and 27-24 in double overtime two years ago.

This story was originally published August 29, 2015 at 1:43 AM with the headline "Lawson’s 83-yard fumble return for TD propels Patterson past Escalon."