Tigers continue quest for West Yosemite title after fourth Mercy game in a row
The Tigers took their latest step in this quest by crushing formerly league unbeaten foe Mt. Whitney 49-0, thanks in large part to a talented corps of receivers, a sizzling quarterback and a very stingy defense that recorded a number of sacks including three by defensive lineman Angel Solis, who now has 10 sacks on the season.
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With his latest slap in the face to the rest of the league, Lemoore has played in four straight games in which the “Mercy” rule has taken effect, meaning at least a 35-point lead entering the fourth quarter which leads to a running clock.
Lemoore improved to 4-0 in the WYL and the Tigers have a bye this week. The Tigers will host El Diamante the following Friday (Oct. 30). Assuming the Tigers get past the 1-2 Miners, all that remains between them is a visit to Hanford’s Neighbor Bowl for a showdown with the unbeaten Bullpups, who while playing the same teams as Lemoore, hasn’t quite dominated the way the Tigers have.
Let’s put this season in perspective. Lemoore, in its first 8 games, has outscored its opponents 364- 69 buoyed by its potent offense and very stingy defense. In WYL play, the Tigers have crushed their four opponents so far 181-19, giving up just 6 points to Redwood in the league opener and 13 to Golden West.
This team could be better than last year’s WYL champions. The Tigers only losses this year have been to Division I schools Clovis and Buchanan, both of whom are battling for the top spot in their Central Section Division.
Ahlin, despite sitting out two games earlier this season with a concussion, hasn’t seemed to have suffered any after-effects, as he’s tossed 18 touchdowns on the season, including three Friday night. He also ran for a touchdown. On the season, Ahlin’s passed for an unofficial 1,100 yards and connected on 64 passes.
Let’s face it, whenever he throws up the ball, the odds-on chances are that one of his talented receivers will catch it. For example, AJ Bow, caught five of them Friday night for 102 yards, including a pair of receptions in an opening drive that was near picture perfect. Bow caught the very first pass of the game, a 15-yard reception to put the Tigers at midfield. Following an Ahlin 14-yard scamper, the quarterback found Bow again for 34 yards, an impressive grab between a pair of Pioneers on the 2-yard line.
From there Ahlin ran it in on a keeper for a 7-0 lead.
Bow described his work on the offensive side of the line. “The most interesting play was the first deep ball of the game because it kind of set the tone for the night. I had the first deep catch of the game for the whole team so I kind of think that kind of sparked the game and got everybody hyped up.”
The receiver, who plays on both sides of the line, was somewhat circumspect about his play Friday night. “Well, last year I played a lot of receiver, a little bit of safety, but I’m starting to fall in love with the defensive side of the ball because it’s fun and more of a challenge to me.”
Bow said the only disappointing notes on the season were losing to Buchanan and Clovis in the pre-season. “We definitely didn’t like losing to Buchanan and Clovis. We’re trying to make a statement now that we lost to some really good teams and now we’re going to show the league who is in charge.”
Lemoore’s other talented receivers, Reggie Davis and Allen Perryman had six and five catches respectively, including a touchdown each.
But while the offense was clicking, so was the defense, which held the Pioneers to just one first down in the first half. Mt. Whitney was headed for a second when defensive lineman Solis recorded his first sack of the night to end a short Pioneer drive.
“I just went out there and did the job our coaches told us to do,” said a humble Solis. “We just have to go out there and play our hardest and just see what happens.”
In Lemoore’s second drive, both Bow and Allen Perryman came up with key receptions and went up 14-0 on an Ahlin 7-yard touchdown pass to Trey Perryman. Davis then made it 21-0 with two minutes left in the first quarter on a 9-yard sideline pass from Ahlin.
It was 28-0 when Davis scored his second touchdown of the night on a sizzling 32-yard run in which he broke several tackles and put on some moves even Taylor Swift would have found inspiring.
Solis and Rigoberto Carrillo came up with key sacks late in the first half that ended a potential Pioneer drive.
A 48-yard pass to Allen Perryman keyed a late drive that resulted in a 35-0 lead late in the half. From there Trey Perryman burst up the middle from two yards out to score.
On the opening drive of the second half, Lemoore’s defense went quickly to work as Roger Wilson intercepted Pioneer Isaiah Salazar, and a few plays later Davis scored again, this time on a 12-yard touchdown as the Tigers held a commanding 42-0 lead.
Wilson came up with his second interception in the fourth period when the “Mercy” rule took effect allowing for a running clock. Wilson ran the ball back to midfield where minutes later Brenton Vargas ran it in from nine yards out for a touchdown and a 49-0 lead.
Joshua Roa eight straight extra points.
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