Lemoore’s varsity football team’s up-and-down season came to an end Thursday night in Dinuba as the Emperors outlasted the Tigers 35-27 in the Central Section Division II playoff opener for both sides.
Lemoore’s season, which showed promise in the early stages of the West Yosemite League race, finished with a 4-7 overall record and a 3-3 mark in league play.
Dinuba came into Thursday’s game with an impressive 9-1 overall record and 5-0 mark in league play.
Dinuba will host El Diamante in a Nov. 17 semi-final game. One of those teams will face the winner of the Tulare Union and Garces Memorial semi-final on Nov. 24.
The game remained relatively close, but Dinuba opened it up a little with about four minutes in the final quarter with a two-yard rushing touchdown for a 35-20 lead.
A Tiger touchdown pass closed the gap with about a minute left in the contest, but the Emperors recovered the on-side kick at their 49-yard-line to win.