It took all of five minutes to see that Ryan Lewis could play for the Escalon High Cougars.
And that happened as he began his freshman year.
The showcase was the annual varsity-junior varsity preseason scrimmage, and Lewis – acting on the counsel of his brother, then-senior E.J. Lewis – made a huge impression.
“I blew up a few plays,” Ryan remembered. “E.J. told me to show how good you are, you have to make plays against the varsity.”
When the scrimmage ended, head coach Andrew Beam told Ryan, “You’re with us.”
So began another chapter in the proud history of Escalon football. Lewis, the Cougar Iron Man, has started on both sides of the ball at defensive end and tight end for 44 straight games without a miss. Incredibly, he’s never been injured or even sidelined for a few snaps.
“Knock on wood,” Beam said.
“Knock on wood,” Lewis said.
Lewis’ teams have gone 37-7 and have won two Trans-Valley League titles, three Sac-Joaquin Section titles and a CIF state championship as a sophomore. While graduated stars Donovan Rozevink, Ryker Peters and many others gained the majority of the headlines, Lewis accounted for all that glory by pushing opposing linemen in directions they didn’t want to go.
Before Lewis even tees it up as a senior, he already has totaled the equivalent of nearly 4½ varsity seasons. That’s due in part to Escalon’s consistent success, and there’s no doubt a serious correlation between Escalon’s latest hardware and the non-stop production of its two-way star.
“It’s like having another coach out there,” Beam said this week. “He remembers all the adjustments in past games. He’s so experienced and he’s just a mature kid.”
Lewis, 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, puts his imprint on every game. As a freshman, he stuffed a Marin Catholic running back on a 4th-and-short to give the offense one more chance in a game Escalon eventually lost at the NorCal Regional.
One year later as Escalon closed out a memorable state-finals victory over Northwood, the Cougars handed off to Ryker Peters 18 straight times for an eventual touchdown. The march already is a part of Cougar lore, but here’s another angle: Peters followed the block of Lewis on the majority of the carries that rainy night at Engel Field.
And last fall as Escalon trailed by 10 points at Windsor, Lewis anticipated a screen pass and made a spinning interception and return for a pick-6. About 15 minutes later, the Cougars led by 10.
His 2023 season underlined Lewis’ steady progress. He averaged five tackles per game, recorded 8.5 sacks and, on offense, became a bona fide target with 37 catches for 478 yards and six touchdowns.
“Everything we do on offense revolves around the tight end,” Beam said. “We’ve been so lucky to have E.J. (a former TVL most valuable player) and Ryan now for five years.”
In fact, Lewis said his freshman year – when he and E.J. set the edge as bookend defensive ends – was his favorite. Their father also donned the purple and gold years ago, so the “Cougar 4 Life” sweatshirt lives in the Lewis household.
“I was always excited to play Escalon football,” Ryan said. “It didn’t even seem real when E.J. and I were teammates, but it actually happened. I never had more fun than that year.”
Lewis owes his remarkable longevity to taking care of himself postgame and during the week. Ice bags after games are the norm, and staying off his feet keeps him fit for game night.
He also knows he’s fortunate, as Beam reminds him on occasion. His streak received even more attention after senior teammate Sam Jimenez suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier this month. Jimenez’ loss will be felt. He totaled 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions last year as a two-way force similar to Lewis.
Not necessarily a verbal leader, Lewis has been asked to share his experience with fellow Cougars.
“I’ve been there for four years. I know how the practices are run," Lewis said. “I used to try to lead my example, but now when it needs to be said, I definitely say it.”
As fate would dictate, Escalon has brought up another freshman – running back-safety Dylan Ball – to the varsity. The symmetry is not lost on Lewis, who understands all the things Ball feels.
“I tell him everything is going to be good, and that you’re here for a reason,” Lewis said.
It seems like only a few weeks ago that Lewis stood in Ball’s cleats. If the latest freshman can even approach Lewis’ performance, he’ll be cheered by Cougar fans.
Because Lewis always has been there.
