Hilmar, Escalon have ‘mutual respect’ as they renew their rivalry in TVL showdown
The Hilmar and Escalon high school football teams have combined for six Sac-Joaquin Section championship game appearances since 2017, four section titles and two state championships.
They are two of the premiere small-school programs in the section.
So when the two Trans-Valley League rivals meet there always seems to be something on the line. That will be the case again on Friday night when Escalon (3-2 overall, 0-1 TVL) travels to McSweeney Stadium to face Hilmar (3-3, 2-0 TVL).
“It’s become a classic over the years,” said Hilmar’s Frank Marques, who is navigating his way through his 20th season as the Yellowjackets head coach. “Ever since we joined the TVL in 1980 every time we play Escalon it’s something special.”
“When people talk about retirement, these are the kind of games that get the juices flowing,” Marques added. “These games are exciting.”
The Yellowjackets have rebounded from a 1-3 start with wins over Livingston and Ripon to open TVL play.
Hilmar had to do by replacing quarterback Hudson Azevedo, who suffered a shoulder injury against Sonora in the third game of the season. Sophomore Caden Bailey was promoted from the junior varsity team and has rushed for 163 yards and four touchdowns in the last two games and completed 12 of 20 passes for 200 yards.
“He’s learning the game,” Marques said. “He’s a young quarterback. This is only his second year playing quarterback. He was a running back at the Pop Warner level. So it’s a fast learning curve for him.”
The Yellowjackets will have a steaming Escalon team ready to hit the field on Friday after having to stew over a 29-14 loss to Hughson two weeks ago.
The Cougars had a bye last week.
“I would have given anything to play anybody last week,” Escalon coach Andrew Beam said. “We had to sit on a really bad loss for two weeks. It’s been a constant reminder to our kids.”
After playing a challenging non-conference schedule that included games against Buchanan and Kimball, Escalon came out flat against Hughson and paid for it.
“We didn’t bring the same energy we brought the first four games,” Beam said.
That should be an issue for the Cougars with what should be an electric atmosphere in Hilmar.
“I think it’s going to be crazy,” Marques said. “It’s going to be a packed house. I know Friday Night Lights has lost a little bit in some places the last couple years. This game is going to be packed because there is some excitement here.”
The two teams have met in the section championship game in 2019 and 2021 (there was no section championship game in 2020 due to COVID) with Escalon winning both games.
Since 2000, the two teams are 12-12 against each other.
Escalon leads the all-time series 34-33-1 against Hilmar.
“The rivalry is rooted in mutual respect,” Beam said. “It’s not dirty. There’s no trash talking. If we look in the mirror, Hilmar and Escalon are very similar.”
Hilmar and Escalon are both small, one-high-school towns who love football.
Once again both teams square off with a lot on the line.
“Both teams are at a crossroads,” Beam said. “And that doesn’t have anything to due with the TVL championship. Both teams are trying to get on the right direction heading into the playoffs.”
Thursday Game
El Capitan at Merced
Friday’s Games
Golden Valley at Central Valley
Patterson at Atwater
Escalon at Hilmar
Los Banos at Mountain House
Davis at Pacheco
Le Grand at Denair
Gustine at Delhi
Orestimba at Mariposa
Stone Ridge Christian at Ygnacio Valley
Dos Palos at Avenal
Chowchilla at Riverdale
