Game Preview: Escalon Vs. Buchanan

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Escalon is coming off a historic 2022 season where they found themselves going 13-3 overall, capped off by a state championship win over Northwood of Irvine. To start the 2023 season, they squeaked out a win past a tough and athletic Golden Valley squad last weekend, and this heavy weight matchup with Buchanan will be a big test for the small power. Buchanan is loaded with college caliber talent in both the Junior and Senior classes, lead by hard hitting All-State linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='273678' first='Logan' last='Studt'] (Fresno State Commit) and a very experienced and massive offensive line with a physical running game. Below, we will breakdown some of each teams top players to note heading into this clash on Friday night. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Escalon Cougars</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TE/DE [player_tooltip player_id='282731' first='Ryan' last='Lewis'], 2025 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Lewis has been a Varsity starter since his Freshman year, and is a dominant force on the edge with heavy hands, extreme violence at the POA and is a athletic kid for his size on both sides of the ball. He has good length, a big catch radius, and is a very efficient blocker in the run game, while shutting down an entire half of the field defensively. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB/LB Carson Medina, 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Medina is a two-way stud for the Cougars and is a low to the ground compact runner that is tough to bring down in the open field and looks for contact in the hole, showing contact balance and leg drive through contact. A very experienced back that can play on both sides of the ball, he is in line for a huge 2023 season. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB/LB Jamin Miller, 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Miller is a true plug in the middle of the defense and fly's around outside the tackles as well while having a quick trigger into the backfield and sniffs out plays quickly. Miller can provide pressure from all over the field, and is a very sound football player with a terrific IQ and natural feel for the game. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB Donovon Rosevink, 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The signal caller is a big and physical kid that commands the offense well, and can make plays happen when they breakdown. Rosevink is a tough runner when he needs to be with some open field speed and is tough to bring down due to his lower body strength and leg drive/willingness to run through contact. In the throw game, he takes what is given and is not afraid to rip it into tight windows when needed with a downfield arm as well. Look for him to set the pace for this Escalon offense that down the stretch, is going to rely on physicality and consistency. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Buchanan Bears </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='273678' first='Logan' last='Studt'], 2024 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Studt is currently committed to Fresno State and one of the top linebackers in the state. He is a hard hitting mike backer that plays with violence and a high motor at all times, while able to bang in the box with guards/ball carriers and make plays sideline to sideline while providing pass rush abilities as well. He is the leader of the Buchanan defense and a multi-offer FBS talent that should make a impact in the MWC at the next level. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1090505' first='Garrett' last='Menagh'], 2024 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Menagh is a tough and physical back that is patient in the hole with a second level burst in the open field, forcing defenders to take poor angles and is tough to tackle in space. He runs behind his pads with natural forward lean, and shows cutback abilities while always willing to gain the tough yards. Look for him to be one of the more productive runners across the valley in 2023. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OL Bayden Walton, 2025 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Walton could be turning into a Div. I prospect at the next level, and has ideal size and the frame to do so with solid athleticism and is very well coached. He is a natural bender with heavy hands and can immediently move defenders off the ball with a powerful strike/base and excels in pass protection as well with patience and good lateral movement abilities. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OL Bryson Harrington, 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Harrington is a veteran presence along this offensive line, and is another physical and downhill road-grader that can play multiple positions along the offensive line and creates immediate push. He is a very solid player in both pass protection and the power run game and will find a home at the next level. He has offers already from Pacific and NMHU, while impressing at multiple stops this off-season against top tier talent. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL Isaiah Inge, 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Inge leads the defensive line for Buchanan, and plays with a high motor at all times. Off the ball, he has heavy inside hands, immediently locks out his opponents and plays with a low hat while able to violently shed and is athletic enough to two-gap when needed and provide a interior pass rush as well. He was a impressive interior rusher at multiple camps this off-season and his combination of athleticism and power inside makes him tough to block and plan for. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Other players to note...</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='780476' first='Logan' last='Phillips'], 2026 </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>OL Trayce Simes, 2025</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>LB Nate Vallejo, 2024</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>LB Joshua Wilson, 2025 </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->