Shafter Generals win rivalry game, SSL title

The Shafter High Generals football team played one of their best games of the season on Friday night, pounding their rivals, the Wasco Tigers, by a score of 49-6

In a standing room only crowd at SHS stadium, the Generals gave their fans a lot to cheer about. Wasco managed to take the lead on their first drive of the game, making the score 6-0. Then they threw a scare into the Shafter fans when they recovered an onside kick that gave the Tigers the ball with great field position.

But, this time, the Generals' defense held and Wasco was forced to punt. The Shafter offense, led by sophomore quarterback Ezekiel Osborn, only had one play in the first quarter on offense. But they made it count with a 64-yard touchdown pass to Jesus Figueroa, making the score 7-6. The last three quarters, the Generals' defense dominated the line of scrimmage and stopped the Tigers' double-wing offense. The game was played with a running clock for the majority of the second half, with the game out of reach for the Tigers.

On the offensive side of the ball, Osborn and company seemed to be scoring at will. Before there were four minutes gone in the second quarter, the Generals had a 21-6 lead.

The offense was not just through the air. Christopher Espinoza and Cash Gutierrez, along with JJ Vasquez, ate up big chunks of yardage and kept the Tiger defense on the field. Espinoza ended the game with 94 yards rushing, with Vasquez pitching in for 64 yards and two touchdowns.

Osborn was nearly perfect in the air, going 16 for 17 passing for a total of 276 yards.

The Generals are seeded in the Division IV playoff bracket. They will have a bye this Friday, awaiting the winner of the game between Golden Valley (8-2) and Fresno-McLane (7-3) , who are seeded eighth and ninth, respectively. With their top seed, they will host all of their playoff games. Their next game is Thursday, Nov. 9

Either way, with Shafter being the top seed, they will have home games throughout the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Tigers are still in the hunt, in the Division V playoffs, also with a bye his week. Weeded They will play the winner of the No. 7 Delano (6-4) and No. 10 Reedley (3-7). on Thursday, Nov. 9.