In the previous week, the Hughson Huskies took on the Escalon Cougars and had a major win. In what felt like an eternity in the fourth quarter, a linebacker on the Huskies, Valente Soria, got an interception to win the game for the Huskies. The last time Hughson beat Escalon was two years ago at Escalon’s field; the last time Hughson beat Escalon before that was in the 2015-2016 season.
Valente Soria, a junior on the varsity football team, said, “It was a surreal moment and I was very excited and light headed.”
The high school’s varsity football team currently has a couple coaches that played during that season. Some of these coaches include Justice Futch and DJ Sexton. The coaches have said multiple times throughout Escalon week that this is a game you will never forget. These coaches have also said that they remember the game at home against Escalon more than the one away. The one they played away they won, and the one they played at home they lost. They always talk about the importance of these games and how they’ve been out of high school for a while now and still haven’t forgotten.
Justice Futch, Hughson High School’s Athletic Director, said, “The Escalon game was always a game to remember for me, and I remember beating them because of it being the first time we beat them in about 16 to 17 years.”
The last time Hughson beat Escalon at home was 27 years ago in 1997. That year the Hughson Huskies went undefeated and also won state. The years after have never been able to forget that year and that game. Being the first team in 27 years to beat Escalon at home is a big accomplishment that will be remembered for a while. Not only will the team remember the game, but the fans, the town, and the alumni will remember this game.
Shuan King, Hughson High School’s Varsity head coach, said, “I used to go to Johanson High School and hear about the Hughson ‘97 team, but now we were able to put our name in the history books as well.”
The Hughson vs Escalon game is always a game to look forward to. The football players have looked forward to this game ever since the previous year’s ending. The team always marks the date down and keeps it in the back of their minds. Not only do the players look forward to the game, the fans are looking forward to the game. This game is known as a big rivalry here and in Escalon.
Max Mankins, a senior on the varsity football team, said, “This game meant so much to me because we beat them 2 years ago at their place and lost to them last year at ours, so I really wanted to win.”
