Tigers will match up with Dinuba in Division II semifinals in quest for Central Section title

One would surmise that the Rangers might be seeking a bit of payback. After all here they were in the quarterfinals of the Division II football playoffs, and were squaring off against a team they once had on the ropes in September.

Sorry Virginia, there is no Santa Claus, at least this year.

The Tigers took another huge step toward its second Central Division Section championship with a 59-41 thrashing of Redwood, in a game that never was even that close. The Tigers blew out to a 28-0 lead just seconds into the second period and then coasted to their 11th win in a row to remain unbeaten.

Lemoore will host a semifinal Central Section game on Friday against the Dinuba Emperors, a 10-1 team that easily beat Kingsburg 34-13 Friday night. Dinuba was seeded third in Division II. In other Division II matchups, No. 1 Ridgeview whipped Tulare 55-27. Assuming the Tigers get past Dinuba on Friday, they’ll most likely be facing either Sanger or Ridgeview, both winners Friday night. Sanger easily defeated Memorial High 49-26 and will face Ridgeview on Friday.

The Tigers beat Sanger earlier this season 27-22.

If they did the balloting for the Central Section and West Yosemite League MVP Friday night, Groathouse would win hands down, and would no doubt be unanimous. Even Redwood would have to vote for the guy. After all, the talented senior quarterback decimated the Ranger defense for a total of six touchdowns, five of them through the air.

But you can’t score that many touchdowns without a bunch of guys who can catch the ball, and that’s just what Lemoore’s receivers accomplished on Friday. The talent extends to Reggie Davis who continues to cement his credentials as one of the best pass catchers in the Valley. Davis caught three of Groathouse’s spirals for touchdowns Friday night, including a 24-yard completion on the Tigers opening drive.

Davis also hauled in a 25-yard TD in the second period and then capped off his night with a 56-yard pass for a second-half touchdown.

Groathouse also threw TDs to Allen Perryman, a 15-yard reception in the first and to Marquise Love from 21 yards out in the second half.

Groathouse also scored on a 54-yard run in the first period.

“Our offense is so high powered,” said Groathouse. “Scoring on almost every drive really helps our defense relax a little bit, and if our defense stops them they know that we can go back out there and score, and if they don’t stop them our defense knows we have their back.”

The Tiger quarterback acknowledges that his stats probably wouldn’t have been as impressive as they are without his talented backs and receivers. “I really don’t have any favorite receivers,” he said. “I try to spread the load as much as possible and if it works out, that’s in our favor.”

Groathouse may have a future in college football. He enjoys all aspects of the game, including reading the opposition’s defense. “I really like reading the defenses,” he said. “Reading the defense allows everything else to come open.”

Groathouse echoes the opinions of his fellow teammates that they are reveling in a campaign that has seen them win 11 games in a row and appear poised to win their second Central Section championship ever. “It’s a good feeling obviously. The key is not to get big headed and go into the next game. We need to keep it rolling and hopefully go into the championship game.”

Groathouse finished with 162 yards rushing and 233 yards passing on 15 of 21 passes. His favorite receiver on the night was Davis, who in addition to catching three TDs, had six catches in all and over 140 yards. Perryman had five receptions on the night for 59 yards.

Trey Perryman was a workhouse out of the backfield, finishing with a 6-yard touchdown and over a 125 yards rushing.

With the game squarely in the bag, Allen Perryman added insult to injury for Redwood when he scored on a 95-yard kickoff return with just 38 seconds left in the game. “Coach told me to actually take a knee on it,” said the talented receiver. “But I saw a wide-open hole so I thought to myself I really needed to take it to the house.”

Perryman said Friday night’s win was a team effort. “We’re all making plays. The line is blocking. Reggie, Cort, we’re all making plays and the defense is backing us up on that side of the ball and it’s all about making plays.”