Pleasant Valley football fails to reach second consecutive state championship game

Last year's CIF Division 4-A State Champion Pleasant Valley Vikings fell to the Escalon Cougars on Saturday eliminating them from the tournament.

An explosive second half from Escalon carried what was a tight game at halftime into a wide-open final score of Escalon 41, Pleasant Valley 14.

The game started with a rather even first half. Escalon would jump out to a lead early on. This first touchdown of the game rushed in by #3 Kaden Christensen.

PV would follow up with a touchdown of their own. Quarterback Ian Guanzon throwing to senior Austin York

Escalon would lead 13 to 9 at the half.

The second half was all Escalon offensively and defensively.

Play of the night going to Escalon's #12 Kaidence Trejo leaping over his defender for the touchdown catch.

Escalon would score 4 touchdowns in the half to win the game 41 to 17 and become the division 4-A Northern Regional Champions.

Pleasant Valley coach Mark Cooley tried to rally his team after the loss.

"It's an accomplishment to get this far. There's so many teams that don't get an opportunity to even get to a section title game or win a section title," Cooley said. "We've been fortunate enough the last 3 or 4 years to win some state titles and win norcal games. This time we came up short. I tell the guys to hang their heads high and be proud of what we've done."

Escalon will face La Jolla High School from San Diego next Saturday, December 14th for the state championship.