Tigers fall to Kennedy TBirds, 35-14

The Wasco High Tigers faced the Kennedy Thunderbirds on Friday night, fighting for a leg up in the SSL race. They fell short, though, with Kennedy scoring 21 points in the second half, beating the Tigers, 35-14.

It looked like it was going to be a big night for the Tigers at the start of the game, as Hammie Lopez took a handoff on the first play on offense for Wasco and ran 72 yards for a touchdown and a quick 7-0 lead.

The TBirds’ star running back, Jace Demacabalin, answered back with a 47-yard touchdown run for Kennedy, tying the score. Lopez added more points before halftime, giving the Tigers a tie at the half, 14-14. But the Thunderbirds came out in the third quarter and put up another 14 points in the third quarter, taking control of the game, despite outstanding work on the ground for Lopez, who ended the game with 174 yards on 21 carries, also accounting for both of the Tigers’ touchdowns.

The Tiger defense couldn’t find an answer for Demacabalin, who ran for 196 yards on just 16 carries on the night. The win keeps the Thunderbirds unbeaten in the SSL, setting up a battle for the top spot up to this point with Shafter on Thursday night.

Wasco travels to Taft on Friday night, taking on the Wildcats with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.