Photo Gallery: LHS Tigers' Spring football season ends after just three games

Sunday, April 18, 2021 - 1:08pm By The Leader Staff

It was a football season, coaches, fans, and players thought might not happen. It wasn’t until February 19 that Kings County and most other California counties qualified as eligible to play “high-risk” outdoor sports, including football.

Many high schools, including several in the West Yosemite League, chose not to play football. Hanford High School and Lemoore High weren’t among those who chose to skip the spring season.

  • Players watch as their season nears an end in the fourth quarter Friday night against Hanford High School.
  • Lemoore's Cory Whitmore runs for a short game Friday night against Hanford.
  • Janson Cunningham carries the school flag onto the field prior to Friday's game against Hanford.
  • Lemoore's Nicholas Gonzalez (right) celebrates with teammate Cory Whitmore after a reception for a long gain.
  • Lemoore's Ki' Ontre Harris breaks up a pass in the first quarter.
  • Lemoore's Ty Chambers taken down after a short gain in Friday night's season football closer against Hanford.
  • Lemoore's Koy Davis runs for a short fourth-quarter game Friday night in Tiger Stadium.
  • Senior Carlos Munoz (No. 50) walks with his parents through the Tiger's mouth.
  • Lemoore's Ty Chambers recovers his fumble in the fourth quarter Friday night in Tiger Stadium.

The qualifying counties met the state’s weekly threshold of 14 COVID-19 cases per 100,000. Low-risk sports like cross country, golf, and tennis had been given the green light early on.

So, Lemoore took the field, listing somewhere in the neighborhood of 55 players, a roster that included a healthy sampling of sophomores and freshmen, a new coach, and a hunger born of waiting, just waiting for the opportunity to play high school football.

Certainly, Lemoore’s numbers didn’t help produce any wins, including a season closer against Hanford in the annual Milkcan game cut short in the fourth quarter following shoving matches between players. When the game was finally called,  it turned out the Bullpups easily got past the Tigers 48-7, thus earning the coveted trophy.

While the frustrated Tigers (0-3) failed to find a winning formula, the future bodes well, considering the talent, particularly the young talent, returns just a few short months from now on the short season. The Tigers eventually lost 40-7 to San Joaquin Memorial in their opener, followed by a 24-21 loss to Tulare Western, and of course, the loss on Friday night in Tiger Stadium.

Photos by Gary Feinstein/Feinsteinfotos

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