It's official: Tigers tackle Hanford in annual finale for West Yosemite League title

Photo Gallery by Bill Burris, Photography for Kings County

Trailing 21-20 in overtime, El Diamante went for the 2-point conversion - and the win - to spoil what would have been a historic matchup between two undefeated teams. The Miners’ pass fell incomplete to preserve Lemoore’s unblemished record, and this Friday’s game, between Lemoore and Hanford.

Tim Johnson scored the game’s first overtime TD, punching it in from the 1-yard line for a 21-14 advantage, forcing the Miners into a 2-point conversion.

West Yosemite League Standings

Lemoore nearly didn’t make it to overtime at all and was nearly forced to settle for its first loss of the season. Late in the final period, El Diamante had the ball at the Tiger 12-yard-line and appeared poised to score when Miner quarterback J.C. Robles passed to his receiver Michael Arias for what El Diamante fans thought was a successful conversion, but the officials disagreed saying Arias did not catch the ball, preserving the hard-fought win for Lemoore.

The Tigers, who have been beating up on WYL opponents all season, may have come into the game a little bit cocky after last week’s bye. Lemoore just wasn’t its usual self, turning the ball over at least five times, including three Cort Groathouse interceptions and a pair of lost fumbles.

With a little over a minute left in the game, El Diamante intercepted a Groathouse deflected pass and appeared poised to score. On second down, the Miners fumbled a pitch to running back Keytan Liles and the Tigers pounced on the ball to send the game into overtime.

Lemoore took just three plays in overtime to score on their first possession.

The Tigers took the early first quarter lead when Groathouse found A.J. Bow on a 4-yard pass for a 7-0 lead. The Miners led 14-7 early into the fourth quarter when the Tigers finallly tied the game at 14 on a 27-yard pass from Groathouse to Allen Perryman.

The Tigers easily won the stats game, amassing 414 total yards to El Diamante’s 157. Trey Perryman had 125 yards rushing while Groathouse passed for 206 yards. Allen Perryman also caught eight passes for 82 yards.

Friday’s historic game will indeed be played Friday in Tiger stadium for all the marbles, which include the coveted Milk Can Trophy, which goes annually to the winner of this game, and of course the WYL championship.

Who will win the match of unbeaten foes?

Both teams are also seeking top seeds, which could mean at least two home playoff games.

A look at their respective schedules reveals a number of similarities. Both teams have been running up big scores against common opponents. However, Hanford beat El Diamante earlier this season 42-21 while the Tigers obviously needed OT to win.

The Bullpups also beat Hanford West 55-34. Lemoore beat the Huskies 49-21. Against Redwood, Lemoore struggled in the early going but finally crushed Redwood while Hanford eased to a 35-21 victory over the Rangers. In the Mt. Whitney game, Lemoore pounded the Pioneers 49-15 as did Hanford, by a 61-21 score. Finally Hanford beat Golden West 56-44 while the Tigers crushed the Trailblazers 56-31.

The two teams shared just one common opponent outside of WYL play. Hanford beat Monache 50-27 while Lemoore edged the Mauraders in its opener 28-24.