HUGHSON – The Hughson High Huskies, down to a fourth-and-8 and trailing Escalon 21-17, opted for a play they had not yet run this season.
The element of surprise, and the confidence needed to go there, paid off in a game-winning touchdown – Robert McDaniel’s 42-yard pass to Malakai Sumter – and Hughson’s pulsating 24-21 victory Friday night.
The Huskies deployed Sumter, a wide receiver and their fastest player, to the left and sent him on an old-fashioned wheel route.
“We’ll take Malakai any time against a linebacker,” McDaniel said.
True enough, except for one issue: There was no linebacker or any other defender in sight. Sumter, alone, caught it at the 25 yard line and raced down the Escalon sideline for the decisive score with only 2:42 left.
Valente Soria leaped high for the interception at the Hughson 41 to stop Escalon’s final chance. McDaniel knelt twice, and a horn-blowing partisan crowd – equal parts happy and relieved – counted down the final seconds.
The Huskies’ Trans-Valley League victory kept them unbeaten for at least one more week. Unbeaten Sonora walks into Husky Memorial Stadium for the much anticipated showdown next Friday night.
“We’re going to celebrate this tonight and tomorrow, and then it’s on to Sonora,” coach Shaun King said. “I think we match up well.”
What made Hughson’s victory taste extra sweet was how close the Huskies (6-0, 3-0) came to a loss. For the second straight week, they trailed in the fourth quarter. This time, Escalon (2-4, 1-2) pounded away with a 4-point lead and probably stood within two first downs of the win.
But on fourth-and-3 from the Hughson 30, Escalon junior running back Ben Gonzales was met at the line of scrimmage by Max Mankins. Escalon coach Andrew Beam second-guessed himself at game’s end.
“It’s going to bug me for a long time,” Beam said. “I was way too conservative. That’s on me.”
Hughson features special talent in Robert McDaniel – on his way to Arizona – his younger brother Bryce McDaniel, Sumter and Mankins (an Air Force commit). All except Bryce McDaniel have played on the varsity level since they were freshmen.
Even before the clutch touchdown, Hughson stayed alive on a McDaniel-to-Mankins 15-yard pass over the middle on 4th-and-10.
Four plays later, the Huskies celebrated.
“We were trying to get that matchup all game,” King said in reference to the winning TD pass. “It’s a great league. All our games are nail-biters. Nobody runs away with this.”
Beam’s frustration on that fourth-and-3 no doubt stemmed from not calling Dylan Ball’s number. Ball, a 5-foot-9 and 175-pound freshman, plays much older than his tender years. He rushed 14 times for 119 yards and netted over 300 yards in total yardage as a receiver and dangerous kickoff returner.
In fact, his stunning 87-yard kickoff return gave Escalon its 21-17 late in the third quarter.
“That’s a pretty special freshman,” Beam praised. “He’s one of the best freshmen in the area and maybe in the state.”
Hughson, receiving the ball first after Escalon deferred, landed the first punch by driving 75 yards. McDaniel looped one perfectly to McDaniel, who beat good coverage for the 30-yard touchdown.
The Huskies, pushing the Cougars back with physical running back Eli Wilbanks (18 carries, 107 yards), nearly made it 14-0. Escalon stuffed Wilbanks, however, on 4th-and-goal from the 2. The game changed.
Minutes later, Escalon successfully gambled on fourth-and-2 from its own 11. The audacity was a harbinger. The Cougars went five for seven on fourth down and twice for touchdowns, the first a 30-yard pass from Donovan Martinez to Ball for a 7-7 tie. The 98-yard march blunted Hughson’s early confidence.
“You could see how special their skill is. It’s a great team,” Beam said. “We had to control the ball as much as possible and take a couple of risks.”
Hughson turned a fumble recovery into a field goal and a fortunate 10-7 lead at the break. That lead quickly disappeared as Escalon drove 55 yards after another good kick return by Ball. Gonzales sped 29 yards for the Cougars’ first lead 14-10.
The Huskies answered on more evidence of the McDaniel’s brotherly chemistry. From the Escalon 25, Robert’s dart found Bryce’s hands in the end zone, marking the second time the duo connected despite tight Escalon coverage. Bryce finished with six receptions for 94 yards and the two TDs.
“I know his matchups,” said the quarterback, who completed 11 of 20 passes for 190 yards. “And I know he can come down with the ball.”
The game’s drama was not unexpected from two teams who’ve accounted for a combined three CIF state championship and six section titles since 2019. The stakes will grow next week when Hughson and Sonora push their chips to the middle of the table.
All-in, TVL style.
Escalon 0-7-14-0—21
Hughson 7-3-7-7—24
1st Quarter
H — Bryce McDaniel 30 pass from Robert McDaniel (Noe Pacheco kick)
2nd Quarter
E — Dylan Ball 30 pass from Donovan Martinez (Ricardo Felix Chavez kick)
H — FG Pacheco 32
3rd Quarter
E — Ben Gonzales 29 run (Chavez kick)
H — B. McDaniel 25 pass from R. McDaniel (Pacheco kick)
E — Ball 87 kickoff return (Chavez kick)
4th Quarter
H — Malakai Sumter 42 pass from R. McDaniel (Pacheco kick)
Records — Escalon 2-4, 1-2 TVL; Hughson 6-0, 3-0 TVL
JV — Escalon, 28-7
