![Lemoore's Tigers face Centennial High School in Div. II football playoffs after crushing visiting Sunnyside 38-22 Lemoore's defense sacks Sunnyside High quarterback Tanner Wilson in the first quarter.](http://www.mylemooreleader.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/w570/n1950/11 10 2023 Lemoore defense swacks Sunnyside High quarterback Tanner Wilson in the first quarter.jpg)
Lemoore's defense sacks Sunnyside High quarterback Tanner Wilson in the first quarter.
Photo by Gary Feinstein
Lemoore’s vaunted Tigers’ football team is just a game away from the Division II title game. All Lemoore’s talented squad needs to do now is get past No. 3 Centennial, and fortunately for the Tigers, it will be a home game, slated for 7 p.m. in Tiger Stadium Friday night. Lemoore got to the latest round when the Tigers slugged it out with visiting Sunnyside Friday night, outscoring the visitors 38-22 on their home turf.
Sunnyside came in boasting of a 10-2 record and a 7-0 mark in the North Yosemite League, but the record didn’t stand up to the Tigers’ offensive might Friday night as Lemoore scored 28 first-half points to take a halftime lead of 28-14. Each team scored a touchdown in the second half, but it wasn’t enough for Sunnyside.
Should Lemoore get past the No. 3 ranked Centennial, the Tigers will face either No. 4 Tulare Union or No. 1 ranked Central Valley Christian. Lemoore improved to 9-3 overall.
![Lemoore's Tigers face Centennial High School in Div. II football playoffs after crushing visiting Sunnyside 38-22 No. 16 Dameion Hernandez on a long 79-yard run for a touchdown.](http://www.mylemooreleader.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/w450/n1950/11 10 2023 No. 16 with offensive playuo of game a 79-yard run to put the Tigers up 14-6.jpg)
No. 16 Dameion Hernandez on a long 79-yard run for a touchdown.
Photo by Bill Burris, Photigerfur.com
One of Friday night’s highlights was Dameion Hernandez, who rushed for 106 yards and scored a touchdown. As a team, the Tigers rushed for 205 yards. Elijah Daley, one of Lemoore’s backs, picked up 41 yards and scored a touchdown.
Lemoore quarterback Aiden McDaniel completed 7 of 10 passes for 79 yards. Kobe Green and Lucas Jensen each had interceptions. Jax Evangelo, the team’s kicker, booted five extra points and a field goal.
![Lemoore's Tigers face Centennial High School in Div. II football playoffs after crushing visiting Sunnyside 38-22 Lemoore's Gio Quintero puts pressure on 'Sunnyside quarterback Tanner Wilson.](http://www.mylemooreleader.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/w450/n1950/11 10 2023 Lemoore's Gio Quintero puts pressure on Sunnyside quarerback Tanner Wilson.jpg)
Lemoore's Gio Quintero puts pressure on 'Sunnyside quarterback Tanner Wilson.
Photo by Gary Feinstein