Oct. 7, 2024

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Calm, cool, unflappable. Those words describe Hughson quarterback Robert McDaniel’s poise under pressure, but they might as well apply to the entire Husky team after Friday night’s pulsating 24-21 come-from-behind victory over archrival Escalon.

With time winding down in the fourth quarter and a standing room only crowd at Husky Memorial Stadium going nuts, McDaniel twice converted on fourth down – the second time on a 42-yard pass to Malakai Sumter for the winning score with about two minutes on the clock.

The victory was Hughson’s second over Escalon in three years, but its first at home against the Cougars in 27 years. In the past 20 seasons, Hughson has defeated its nemesis just three times – in 2015, 2022 and on Friday night.

“It was definitely a good game, but we’ve got another one this week. We can’t celebrate too long,” said Husky Coach Shaun King, referring to the showdown Friday at home between the Trans-Valley League’s two 6-0 teams – Hughson and Sonora.

The Escalon game lived up to all the hype, with both teams trading the lead before the scintillating ending.

Hughson (6-0, 3-0) had taken a 17-14 lead in the third quarter on Robert McDaniel’s second TD pass of the game to his younger brother Bryce. But Escalon (2-4, 1-2) immediately flipped the momentum back to its side by returning the kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown to go on top 21-17.

That set up the final quarter, with fans on both sides standing throughout. After stopping Escalon on downs, Hughson took over on its own 30-yard line with about seven minutes to play. The Huskies gained one first down, but eventually faced a fourth-and-10 from their own 41 with five minutes left.

That’s when Robert McDaniel found tight end Max Mankins for a 15-yard gain over the middle. On the play, McDaniel again showed the poise and experience that earned him a scholarship to the University of Arizona. His first option was to his brother, but when Bryce was covered, Robert quickly moved on to his second target to keep the drive alive.

Three plays later, the Huskies found themselves in a similar situation, facing fourth-and-8 on the Escalon 42-yard line. This time, McDaniel connected with Sumter for the game-winning score on a play that completely fooled Escalon’s defense.

“We called a play we liked,” King said. “We put Malakai in motion and he ran a wheel route to match up on their linebacker. They blew the coverage and he was wide open.”

Again, McDaniels’ pass was on target, allowing Sumter to jog untouched into the endzone with about two minutes to play.

Hughson’s Valente Soria clinched the victory by intercepting an Escalon pass on the ensuing possession.

So, for the second week in a row, Hughson escaped with a win. In the previous game, the McDaniel brothers hooked up on a TD pass in the final minute to beat Ripon Christian.

“I’m very confident with Robert,” King said. “I feel a lot better when the ball is in his hands.”

McDaniel finished 11-for-21 for 190 yards and three scores, giving him 19 TD passes this season (10 of them to his brother) and just one interception.

Hughson’s Noe Pacheco had a 32-yard field goal in the second quarter in addition to making all three of his extra points.

Defensively, Sumter made nine tackles, Mankins had two sacks, and Soria also had a sack in addition to his interception. Daniel Sotelo recovered a fumble for the Huskies.

Despite all the emotion connected with beating Escalon, King is not worried about a letdown this week. That’s because next up on the TVL gauntlet is Sonora, which is coming off a 45-28 win over Hilmar.

“We celebrated Friday night, but everybody knows what this week is,” King said. “It’s potentially for the league title.”

With four weeks left in the TVL season, Hughson and Sonora are tied for first place. Friday’s winner will have the clear inside track to the league title, something the Huskies haven’t won in many years despite capturing a state title and back-to-back Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI crowns the past two seasons.

“Sonora is a very good football team in every aspect. Very big on front line. They’re fast at the skill positions. You name it; they are definitely a complete football team,” King said.

Unlike Hughson, which is coming off two close victories, Sonora has not played many competitive games.

“We’re good with pressure. We’ll see if we can put them under pressure and see how they react,” King said.

Sonora – which joined the TVL this year – don’t have much history against Hughson.

“We expected to see them in the Section finals last year, but they lost to Bradshaw Christian in the semifinals,” King said.

This could be Hughson’s final home game until the playoffs. After Sonora, the Huskies go on the road to face Orestimba (5-1, 3-1) and Hilmar (3-3, 1-2). Hughson is scheduled to play Modesto Christian (0-5, 0-2) at home on Nov. 1, but the Crusaders have forfeited most of their games and are unlikely to play Hughson.