Tigers, 1-4, have week off before tackling Redwood in Oct. 4 West Yosemite League opener

Saturday, September 21, 2019 - 11:47am By The Leader Staff

Lemoore's Koy Davis grabs interception from hands of Tulare's Pedro Hernandez in the end zone Friday night. Davis had two interceptions in Lemoore's non-league loss to Tulare Union.

Gary Feinstein/Feinsteinfotos

Things were looking up for the Tigers Friday night as they took a 14-7 lead into the halftime Friday night in Tiger Stadium against Tulare Union, the third of four straight home football games for Lemoore High School. Unfortunately, the Tigers couldn’t hold on to their lead and were held scoreless in the second half while The Tribe scored three times to improve to 3-1 on the year.

The Tigers just couldn’t overcome Tulare’s second-half surge and fell 27-14 to the visiting Tribe for their third loss in a row as they prepare for incoming Redwood High School in two weeks (Oct. 4).

The Rangers’ visit to Lemoore High School will begin what promises to be a tough West Yosemite League campaign for Lemoore.

The Tigers fell to 1-4 on the season, their only victory, a 26-16 win over Chowchilla in week two.

Lemoore will be facing a powerful Rangers team coached by Kevin Scharton. Redwood is 4-0 on the year coming off Friday night’s 51-6 win over Atascadero High School on the Greyhounds home field.

Lemoore's Chris Taylor celebrates after his first half touchdown reception. Lemoore took a 14-7 lead into the half, but eventually lost to Tulare Union 27-14.

Gary Feinstein/Feinsteinfotos

The Rangers and Tigers have had several common opponents. Redwood has defeated Tulare Union (28-8) and Tulare Western (27-22), teams that have faced off against the Tigers in recent weeks, including Friday night.

The two teams on Friday night traded touchdowns in the first quarter including a Chris Taylor reception in the first quarter to tie the game at 7-7 with about a minute left in the opening stanza.

With about eight minutes left in the half, quarterback Justin Holaday found Taylor open on a pass play for a touchdown to give the Tigers a 14-7 lead.

Lemoore’s Koy Davis intercepted a Tulare pass to end another Tribe drive with about a minute to go in the first half. It was his second interception in the first half. Earlier he intercepted a Tulare pass in the Tigers end zone, grabbing the ball from Tulare’s Pedro Hernandez, preventing a Tribe touchdown.

Unfortunately, the Tigers offense slowed down in the second half.

The Rangers held the Tigers scoreless in the third and fourth quarters while scoring on a short run with about five minutes left in the third to tie the game at 14-14.

The game remained tied until scoring on a two-yard run with about seven minutes left in the game.

Ahead 21-14 in the final period, Tulare’s Bear Nunley blocked a Tiger punt, giving his team a first down on the Lemoore 8-yard line. Moments later the Tribe scored on a 6-yard run to up the margin to 27-14 with five minutes left in the game.