Tigers open season 2-0, will face talented Tulare Western Thursday in Bob Mathias Stadium

The victory improved Lemoore’s early record to 2-0 as it faces what is probably its stiffest challenge of this young season when the Tigers travel to Tulare Thursday night for a preseason matchup against an old nemesis, Tulare Western.

The Mustangs share an identical 2-0 record, and so far, they have beaten a pair of Lemoore’s West Yosemite League foes. Tulare Western crushed El Diamante 48-28 in the season opener, and this past week slipped past Mt. Whitney 35-28.

The Tigers seemed to be running on all cylinders Friday night as Tiger runners rushed for 210 yards and passed for 272 yards. Lemoore was led by senior running back Brandon Hargrove, who turned in another stellar performance, rushing for a team-high 104 yards on just eight carries. Elijah Jones chipped in with a 55-yard effort.

Hargrove also caught four passes for 100 yards and a touchdown. He finished with three TDs on the night. To add insult to injury, the talented player, who also plays defense, came away with an interception, returning it 47 yards.

Quarterback Justin Holaday, a junior, passed for 272 yards on 13 of 37 passes and four touchdowns.

The Tigers turned in some impressive defensive plays too. Sophomore Junior Ordaz led the Tigers’ defense with 13 tackles while Chris Herrera (senior) and William Kloster (junior) each contributed 123 tackles.