2011 SEASON
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Lathrop
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37 – 6 W
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Linden
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62 – 7 W
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Patterson
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14 – 7 W
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Dixon
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67 – 0 W
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Riverbank
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73 – 0 W
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Ripon
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31 – 14 W
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Newman
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63 – 6 W
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Hughson
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34 – 7 W
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Hilmar
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10 – 0 W
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Modesto Christian
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69 – 7 W
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PLAYOFFS
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Marysville
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49 – 7 W
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Sonora
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28 – 7 W
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Central Catholic
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24 –17 W
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RECORD 13 – 0
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SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP
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Hilmar
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20 – 17 L
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PLAYOFF RECORD
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23 playoff appearances
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8 championships 1993, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2010
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This season of Escalon Cougar football was unlike any other in history, primarily because it ultimately began at about 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2010. You see, once you've experienced a run to a state championship like we experienced with last year's Cougars, you want to experience it over and over again. Problem is, some things happen once in a lifetime. Fact is, as I was reminded after a meeting I attended recently with the county EMS director (also a high school football official on the side), for some athletes, never in a lifetime.
I will readily admit that I couldn't wait for the opening of the high school football season this year. The defending D-III state champions, returning a huge contingent of starters from the previous season, would surely yield a return trip to Carson. As I sat in the stands that hot September evening at Engel field as the Cougars prepared to take on Lathrop, I started thinking just how much pressure these kind of expectations had to be, especially for these young athletes. The first two games were certainly an indication of just how strong this team was and after the week three 14-7 victory over Patterson, history seemed to be again in the making. The victories kept coming and until the Ripon game in October, it seemed that everything was falling in place. Then in the fourth quarter at Ripon all state lineman Nate Caton went down with what would prove to be a season ending knee injury. Everyone was silent as Nate left the field, but these young men rallied and filled in for him admirably. The Cougars continued their winning ways, shut out Hilmar on the road and routed Modesto Christian at home to wrap up a perfect regular season.
The "second season," as we refer to the playoffs began on November 11, against Marysville and it was smooth sailing. The Cougars would then meet Sonora and come away with a 28-7 victory on November 18, to set up a Friday after Thanksgiving meeting at home against Central Catholic. To me and many other Cougar fans, Central Catholic does not conjure up warm, fuzzy feelings. It was cold and dry this year, but this time around, at least for the first quarter and a half, it looked like the Cougars chance of a return to Lincoln High seemed impossible. The Raiders seemed to be having their way with the Cougars and I was afraid that the trip onto the field following the game might be the last for the season. Matt Roberson broke the long scoring run and the Cougar defense held and went into the locker room down 17-7. The second half was all Cougars. And after getting to see Coach Mark Loureiro pull out some of his tricks, the Cougars came from behind to win 24-17 and earn a return trip to the D-IV section championship game at Lincoln High in Stockton.
Friday, December 2 and it's time for the rematch with the Hilmar Yellow Jackets. The parking lot at Lincoln High is filling up when I pull in at about 4:40 p.m. The gates open shortly after 5:00 p.m. and I am amazed at how many seats about twenty people can take in such a short time. The game gets underway and at half-time the Cougars lead 10-7. Unfortunately, the second half is a different story. The Cougars fall behind 17-10 and make a long drive, literally willing themselves down the field to tie the game with just over two minutes remaining. Hilmar gets the ball and begins their final drive. Hilmar drives to the Cougar 24 yard line and sets up for the potential winning field goal. After three Cougar time outs the stage is set and we all watch helplessly as the ball splits the uprights. The Cougars would get the ball back and make a desperate attempt to tie the game up or win it, but Gino Franceschetti's last second pass is broken up near the goal line and Hilmar wins the championship. After the game I make my way down to wait outside the Cougar locker room. I've been down on the field to congratulate these young men when they were on top of the world and feel the need to be there while they are feeling like they are on the bottom of the world.
Looking back on this season and the amazing run is a source of immense pride. The defending D-III State Football Champions, 25 consecutive victories (at that time the longest winning streak in California), an undefeated regular season, a TVL championship, a playoff run that saw victories over highly respected Sonora and Central Catholic. Great young men, playing their hearts out for a loving community, under huge pressure and with a "target" on their backs each week. Some things happen once in a lifetime or never in a lifetime. Be proud, you accomplished great things and represented your community with pride and honor. No one can take away the memories or the trophy.
Once a Cougar, Always a Cougar
2011 Edition Tribute
By Rick Mello
Josh Miguel
Nate Caton
( Courtesy of Marg Jackson, Escalon Times)
( Courtesy of Marg Jackson, Escalon Times)
Coach, Mark Loureiro
TVL 2011 Football Awards Honor Escalon Cougars
1. Coach Of The Year: Mark Loureiro
2. Outstanding Defensive Player of the year: Tony Vincent
3. Outstanding Lineman: Alan Gonzales.
4. Outstanding Back: Josh Miguel.
5. Outstanding Lineman: Shane Silveira.
6. First Team: D- Shane Silveira, OLB – Ian Fitzgerald, ILB – Matt Roberson, D B – Joey Ratto
7. Second Team: Travis James, David Gonzales, Gilberto Mancilla, Josh Miguel
.
Modesto Bee All-District Defense 2011
DL TONY VINCENT Escalon - A 6-1, 220-pound senior, he posted 11 sacks and also averaged five tackles a game for the Cougars, who have gone 27-2 during the last two seasons. Vincent had 27 sacks in two years — he helped Escalon to a state title in 2010, and was the TVL Defensive Player of the Year this season.
Modesto Bee All-District Offense 2011
RB JOSH MIGUEL Escalon - The Bee's Player of the Year as a junior, Miguel remained a force this fall by rushing for 1,496 yards and 19 TDs, while catching 13 for 248 yards and five TDs. He ran for 247 yards and four TDs in one game. He picked off three balls and averaged 20 yards on his punt returns
WR ALEC VON ALVENSLEBEN Escalon - The junior had big shoes to fill, as he replaced all-district receiver Brandon Shaw as the deep threat in Escalon's Wing-T offense. He averaged 25 yards — fifth-best in the section — on his 30 catches. He scored five TDs and helping Escalon to the section Division 4 final for the second year in a row.
#52
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Alcantor, Daniel
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C, DL
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Senior
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#70
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Baker, Brody
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T, D L
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Junior
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#51
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Bandini, Dante
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T, D L
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Senior
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#76
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Belman, Brendon
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T, DL
|
Junior
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#81
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Brown, Tony
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TE, DB
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Junior
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#59
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Caton, Nate
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T, DL
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Senior
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#34
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Chunn, Nathan
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FB, ILB
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Senior
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#6
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Costa, Johnathon
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RB, ILB
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Junior
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#50
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Doggett, Troy
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G, DL
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Junior
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#66
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Ellis, Derrick
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T, DL
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Junior
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#75
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Felix, Dan
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RB, OLB
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Senior
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#18
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Fitzgerald, Ian
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RB, OLB
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Senior
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#16
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Franceschetti, Gino
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QB, FS
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Senior
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#25
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Furtado, Dylan
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RB, DB
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Senior
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#10
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Gonzales, David
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FB, OLB
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Senior
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#71
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Gonzales, Alan
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T, DL
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Junior
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#77
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Gutierrez, Joey
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C, DL
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Junior
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#28
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Hernandez, David
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FB, OLB
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Junior
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#21
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Hood, Jake
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SE, DB
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Senior
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#86
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Husman, Michael
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TE, OLB
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Senior
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#73
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James, Travis
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G, DL
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Senior
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#7
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Kimball, Phil
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QB, DB
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Junior
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#57
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Kowalski, Chris
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G, DL
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Senior
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#44
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Loureiro, Alex
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TE, OLB
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Sophomore
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#33
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Mancilla, Gilberto
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FB, ILB
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Senior
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#60
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Meza, Johnny
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G, ILB
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Senior
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#5
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Miguel, Josh
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RB, DB
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Senior
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#79
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Ortega, Alejandro
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T, DL
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Senior
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#40
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Phillips, Trey
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SE, DB
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Junior
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#78
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Plascencia, Alonso
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T, DL
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Senior
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#67
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Pomicpic, Tyson
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G, DL
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Junior
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#4
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Ratto, Joey
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RB, DB
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Senior
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#20
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Robbins, Jason
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RB, DB
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Junior
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#24
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Roberson, Matt
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FB, ILB
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Senior
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#55
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Silveira, Shane
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G, DL
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Senior
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#11
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Smith,Colton
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SE, FS
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Senior
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#8
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Steves, Robert
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RB, OLB
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Junior
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#74
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Stober, Alex
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T, DL
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Senior
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#63
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Valenzuela, Vince
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T, DL
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Junior
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#64
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Vincent, Tony
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G, DL
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Senior
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#26
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Von Alvensleben
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SE, DB
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Junior
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#23
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Wade, Garrett
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RB, OLB
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Junior
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#72
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Yost, Tyler
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G, ILB
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Junior
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#83
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Zavala, Andrew
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T, OLB
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Junior
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Trans-Valley League Football Champions 2010-11
Roster
Head coach: Mark Loureiro
Assistant Coach: Max Goldstein
( We appreciate the assistance of Marg Jackson and the Escalon Times who contributed most of the photographs appearing here.)
(QB Gino Franceschetti receives next play from Coach Lourerio )
(Running back Joey Ratto runs for yardage)
Overall 2010–11 season record: 13-1-0 League: 6-0-0 National Rank: 1550 State (CA) Rank: 148.
Current Coach Mark Loureiro started in 1989, total of 23 years as head coach.
Overall record 226 wins,40 losses and no ties.
Related Stories And Features:
Matt Roberson
Gino Franceschetti
Shane Silveira
The Escalon High School athletic department conveyed its 2010 varsity football honors in December 2010. Winners included (front row L–R) Shane Silveira, MVP lineman; Tony Vincent, MVP defense; Matt Roberson, coaches award.
Back row from L - R, Ian Fitzgerald, most inspirational player; Joey Ratto, coaches award; Josh Miguel, most valuable back; and Gino Franceschetti, MVP offense. Congratulations! (Photo courtesy of Escalon Times)