Escalon dominates in inaugural ‘Vaca Bowl’ win over Hilmar to win Milk Can Trophy
It took just one play for the Escalon High School football team to deliver the first blow in Friday night’s rivalry game against Hilmar.
Senior running back Josh Graham raced 72 yards on the Cougars’ first play to give Escalon a 7-0 lead before the large crowd could get settled in their seats at Modesto Junior College.
The opening play set the tone, as the Cougars scored touchdowns on their first five possessions as Escalon cruised to a 49-21 win over Hilmar.
The Cougars improved to 3-0 in the Trans-Valley League — tightening their grip on the league championship — and 7-1 overall.
Escalon also gained possession of the Milk Can Trophy, which was introduced to this rivalry game, which has been named the “Vaca Bowl.” This was the 71st time the two teams have played with Escalon holding a slight 36-34-1 edge in the series.
“In my opinion there is not another rivalry like this in this area,” said Escalon coach Andrew Beam. “The Hilmar-Escalon (rivalry), when you think 71 matchups and it’s 36-34-1, I mean you’re not going to find anything else as close as that and that’s what makes a rivalry, right?
“The back-and-forth battles for 25 years and the crowds, the towns, the people, the players are all so alike,” Beam added. “It’s fitting that we have a trophy and we make this a true rivalry game.”
The Cougars won the trophy with some big plays from its offense and it seemed to be a different player every drive.
Graham started the scoring with the 72-yard touchdown run. Escalon used a trick play to find the end zone on its second possession as running back Jamin Miller threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Nico Franzia to extend the lead to 14-0.
The Cougars had two other long touchdown runs as Talan Reider broke free for an 80-yard score on a counter play early in the second quarter. Miller added a 68-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Escalon quarterback Donovan Rozevink also threw three touchdowns and threw for 172 yards.
“We just couldn’t stop them,” said Hilmar head coach Frank Marques, whose team dropped to 2-1 in the TVL and 5-3 overall. “You have to give them a lot of credit, they’re a machine. We knew they were going to be really tough, they’re just really good.”
Hilmar was able to move the ball on offense as both Caden Bailey (163 rushing yards, two touchdowns) and Logan Cardoso (139 rushing yards, one touchdown) ran the ball effectively.
The Yellowjackets just couldn’t finish a couple drives and Escalon was able to pull away on the scoreboard.
“I think we were able to keep Hilmar off balance and off balance in a way that we haven’t done in a long time,” Beam said. “Different plays, different guys, it starts with the six guys up front, including the tight end blocking.”
Graham finished with 104 rushing yards on just 10 carries. Reiden also rushed for 106 yards on four carries and Miller added 72 yards on three carries for the Cougars. Junior receiver Sam Jimenez hauled in six catches for 99 yards and a touchdown.
After playing all season on the road as Engel Field was being renovated, Escalon will finally play a home game next week for homecoming week.
“I think there is going to be a lot of excitement,” Beam said. “I think there is going to be a lot of distractions. We are 0-2 on homecomings the last couple years. It’s going to be a great night. I think there will be more people at that game than we’ve had at the two state championship games that we hosted on that field.”
This story was originally published October 13, 2023 at 11:50 PM.
