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Tigers fail to win grid opener in 35-10 loss to visiting Paso Robles; Memorial here on Friday
The good news: Lemoore and new coach Mitch Crossley are still in the running for a third West Yosemite League title in a row, but this year’s bunch of athletes will have to up their game as they head into the first league clash on Sept. 23 at Redwood High School.
MaxPreps 2016 Football Schedule
The Tigers still have a “Who’s Who” list of upcoming challengers on its docket. On Friday, Lemoore hosts San Joaquin Memorial, who comes into Tiger Stadium after defeating Washington Union Friday night 21-14.
The Tigers will hit the road for the first time on Sept. 9 when they travel to Clovis for a matchup with the powerful Buchanan Bears. Sanger’s up on Sept. 16 as the Tigers hit the road again.
There were obviously some bright spots Friday night in Lemoore, despite the lopsided score. One of the guys Tiger fans will be talking about over the weekend was the play of Jack Foote, Lemoore’s fleet-footed wide receiver and defensive back. Foot hauled in 11 of quarterback Jacob Taylor’s pass and managed to snag two of Paso Robles signal-caller Steven Schouten’s passes – called interceptions.
Foote put a stop to a Bearcat drive in the second quarter when he picked off the first of his two interceptions as Paso Robles and Schouten had a first and 10 at the Tiger 35. His second came in the third quarter with Paso at its own 26-yard line.
New quarterback Jacob Taylor had a very respectable showing as well, completing 29 of 41 passes for about 230 yards, including a superb opening drive that resulted in a pinpoint pass to Collin Cole who appeared headed into the end zone before tripping up at the 3-yard line.
After an unfortunate Tiger penalty put them on the 7-yard line, Taylor found Joseph Homan in the end zone for a 7-0 lead.
The Bearcats returned the favor at the 5:23 mark in the opening quarter when Schouten connected on a pass and run play from the Tigers’ 34-yard line.
Lemoore’s last score was an impressive 39-yard field goal by Josh Roa with 4:02 left in the first half.
