The Tigers' slim hopes of capturing yet another league championship were crushed Friday night in Visalia when El Diamante kept its slim title hopes alive by defeating the Tigers 21-11.
West Yosemite League Standings
The Tigers fell to 2-3 in the WYL and are 2-7 overall. The Miners improved to 3-2 in the league and will face Golden West (4-1) Friday night and has a shot at tying for the league crown by beating the Trailblazers and hoping Redwood (4-1, 8-1) loses to Mt. Whitney (2-3, 3-6).
Should the Bullpups (3-2, 5-4) defeat Lemoore, they could very well share a slice of the crown, depending on how the others do.
The Tigers were hanging tough against the Miners Friday night in Groppetti Automotive Visalia Community Stadium, trailing just 7-3 at the half, the only Tiger points a Josh Roa 41-yard field goal in the first quarter, which came at the end of a 13-play, 75-yard drive on Lemoore’s opening possession.
El Diamante took the lead for good later in the first half on quarterback Parker Boswell’s 30-yard TD pass to Mason Garispe. Boswell had two touchdowns including a fourth quarter 51-yard effort to Derek Hernandez.
Lemoore’s defense played well, forcing a pair of turnovers in the second half. One of those turnovers turned into a one-yard touchdown by Tiger quarterback Jimmie Jeff, and two-point conversion, to cut the El Diamante lead to 14-11.