CIF Division III bowl preview: Escalon vs. Madison (San Diego)

DIVISION III: Escalon 13-1 vs. Madison (San Diego) 12-1 at Home Depot Center (Carson), noon Saturday

FACTS AND STATS
Rankings — Escalon: State, No. 105. Madison: State, No. 41.

Notable Alums — Madison: Mike Martz (offensive coordinator Chicago Bears), Al Fitzmorris (former MLB pitcher for Kansas City).

Leading Rushers — Escalon: Josh Miguel (168-1,747-25 TDs), Adrian Cortes (177-1,017-12). Madison: Desaan Hardwick (153-1,086-9), Jamarie Sanders (65-903-11).

Leading Passers — Escalon: Gino Franceschetti (52-92-1,358-5-21). Madison: Chase Knox
(123-225-4-2,358-28).

Leading Receivers — Escalon: Brandon Shaw (26-770-14). Madison: Akeem Woodson (42-863-11), Jeremy Hutchison (35-752-9), Kevon Mitchell (27-541-8).

Points per game (allowed): Escalon 40.8 (11.3), Madison 38.3 (12.7).


OVERVIEW
If the fight to get into the CIF Division III Bowl game is any indication, then the showdown between Northern California representative Escalon and Southern California's Madison-San Diego should be a drag out, kick-and-claw affair.

CIF Bowl event director Ken Gunn said the two meetings that took the most time among the 10 was that of D3 South and North.

The coaches for each team were thrilled to get the call and invitation on Sunday.

"This is a great moment for the town," Escalon coach Mark Loureiro told Richard T. Estrada of the Modesto Bee. "Fans have always supported our teams and this is the pinnacle."

It's a feel good story for the small town that has been led by one of the Sac-Joaquin Section's top coaches. Loureiro has produced quality teams for 22 seasons after he starred as the team's quarterback.

The Cougars had a banner season, with their only hiccup a Week 3 22-15 loss to Patterson, a team that finished 11-2. Escalon rebounded with 11 straight wins including a huge 28-0 victory over defending CIF small-school Bowl champion Central Catholic in the SJS quarterfinals.

Following a 41-6 win over Colfax, the Cougars edged Calaveras 22-20 to claim the SJS title and qualify for bowl consideration. Loureiro figures his team will be the underdog against a potent Madison squad, but it doesn't phase him.

"I realize we are a big underdog, but if any program can overcome the odds, it is this Escalon football program."

Madison coach Rich Jackson isn't buying it. He thinks his squad is equally unlikely to make the game and won't be looking past Escalon for a moment.

"It's unbelievable what has happened," Jackson told Steve Brand of the San Diego Union-Tribune. "We didn't even think about (making the bowl game) until we beat Valley Center. We just didn't want to get ahead of ourselves."

Indeed Valley Center was the No. 1 ranked team in the division all season until the Warhawks recorded a decisive 40-14 win in the San Diego Section finals. It capped a fantastic late-season run that included previous playoff wins over Imperial (52-14) and Olympian (48-7).

"We knew we were not the favorites (going against Valley Center)," Madison quarterback Chase Knox told MaxPreps correspondent Bill Dickens. "But our receivers were running great routes and (coach Jackson) was making great play calls."

ESCALON OFFENSE/MADISON DEFENSE
The Cougars are powered by a potent running game led by the ever-elusive Miguel, a 5-foot-9, 175-pound standout who has scored a whopping 36 touchdowns this season. Miguel has rushed for 1,747 yards and 25 scores, but also is an effective receiver and returner, averaging 16.8 on punts and 32 yards on kickoffs. Miguel also leads Escalon's defense with five interceptions.

"He looks like a great athlete and he never leaves the field," Jackson said. "Hopefully we can contain him somehow."

Escalon has a second 1,000-yard runner in the backfield, 5-10, 190-pounder Cortes (1,017 yards, 12 touchdowns). The Cougars average 256 rushing yards per game.

They aren't one-dimensional however. Escalon quarterback Franceschetti doesn't throw often (52 of 92) but when he does it's highly effective. The Cougars average 26.1 yards per completion, led by wideout Shaw (26-770-14).

Madison will need to be aware of Escalon's wide and varied playbook.
 
"I am sure I have a few formations left in my clipboard," Loureiro said.

Madison's defense is led by Keanu Johnson (5-10, 225), who has a team-high 89 tackles to go along with 11 sacks. Teammate Keith Navarro (6-1, 190) and 11 sacks.

The Warhawks are considerably bigger than Escalon and have sure tacklers like Mahdi Salahuddin (61 tackles), Brandon McMullen (72 tackles), Sanders (61 tackles) and Hutchison (59 tackles, six interceptions).

MADISON OFFENSE/ESCALON DEFENSE
Junior Knox (6-1, 175) not only had a huge game against Valley Center (20 of 32, career-high 385 yards) but a stellar season (2,358 yards, 28 TDs, four interceptions).

The Warhawks are extremely balanced with the running tandem of Hardwick (5-11, 175) and Sanders (5-9, 175), who have combined for more than 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Defensively, Escalon is led by 5-10, 190-pound linebacker Victor Carrillo (107 tackles) and Tony Vincent, a 6-1, 220-pound menace who has 83 tackles and 16 sacks.

The team's tallest player, 6-5, 220-pound Nate Caton has 10 sacks.

EXTRA POINTS
Escalon is a town of almost 6,000 residents in San Joaquin County and boasts New York Knicks public address announcer Steve Scott as a native. … Escalon actually won mythical state small-school titles in 1993 and 1996, but that was voted on by CalHiSports before the bowls were created. … Madison averages 405 yards per game, almost evenly divided between run and pass. The Warhawks have rushed for 2,802 yards and passed for 2,468. … Miguel isn't the only special special teams player in this game. Madison averages a whopping 19.32 yards per punt return and 30.35 on kickoff returns.