Tigers open SSL with win over Cougars

The Wasco High Tigers football team opened its SSL season with an impressive win over the McFarland Cougars, 49-8. Due to the wide margin, the game was played with a running clock the entire second half, with each team only having one possession before time ran out.

The Tigers started the night by recovering an onside kick on the opening kick off. They scored four plays later when Noah Lopez ran for a 25-yard touchdown.

This would be the first of seven scores the Tigers would have in seven possessions for the game.

Wasco's defense held the Cougars on their end of the field the majority of the time, thwarting the Cougars' offense at every turn.

Before the Cougars even had a first down on offense, the Tigers had already had touchdown runs of 25 by Lopez, Lopez for 15 yards and Michael Dominguez for 34 yards, giving them a 21-0 lead.

Late in the first half, quarterback David Manzo showed the crowd that the Tigers have a lot more than a powerful running game. Manzo connected for two long pass plays before finding Dominguez on a 20-yard pass for a touchdown right before the half.

Coach Chad Martinez commented after the game that a lot of people are surprised that they have such an effective passing game. "Coming from a double-wing offense, nobody expects us to go to the air. But, we run the double-wing by choice, not because we can't throw. When we spread out and start throwing, I don't think there are too many guys that can compete with our guys on the outside."

The Tigers will play a nonleague contest on Friday night against the Bulldogs of Golden Valley in Bakersfield. They will then return to SSL play on Sept. 29 against Kennedy High School.