Serving the community since 1970
Serving the community since 1970
Sloan goes head to head, forcing his way for yardage.
The Generals' defense upend the Thunderbirds.
The speedy Thunderbirds were held in check in the second half.
On a night that honored first responders, the Shafter Police Department's Honor Guard presented the colors at the pregame ceremony.
The Shafter High Generals football team saw their record improve to 3-0 in the SSL with a 34-28 victory over the Kennedy Thunderbirds on Thursday night. Shafter and Kennedy both came into the game unbeaten in the SSL, with the winner of the contest getting a big boost toward the league title.
Kennedy drew first blood in the game, taking up the majority of the first quarter on their opening drive, culminating with a short touchdown run by Jace Demacabalin, making the score 7-0. The Generals didn't waste any time in answering, with quarterback Mariyon Sloan scoring on a 64-yard touchdown run on Shafter's first play from scrimmage, tying the score at 7-7.
The Generals' defense had a little trouble in the first half in containing the powerful offense of the Thunderbirds. Shafter took the lead at the beginning of the second quarter when Sloan found the end zone again, this one an 11-yard run to make the score 13-7.
Kennedy took the lead late in the second quarter when Demacabalin scored on an 11-yard run. The PAT made the score 14-13.
The Thunderbirds took a 21-13 lead into the locker room when they scored on a six-yard run.
On their first drive of the second half, Shafter narrowed the margin when Sloan scored the third of his five touchdowns on the night. This one was a run from four yards out, set up by a long run from the speedy Jesus Vasquez, giving the Generals a first and goal. The PAT made the score 21-20.
After the Generals' gave the offense the ball in good position with a turnover, Sloan scored again just 37 seconds after the previous score, giving the Generals their first lead of the game.
With the Thunderbirds having no answer for the rushing offense of the Generals, Shafter made the score 34-21 in the fourth quarter. Sloan ended the game with 252 yards rushing, a career high for Sloan. Shafter piled up almost 400 yards on the ground, rushing for 384 yards on the night. Kennedy scored to make the score 34-28, but the Generals' defense held tight against the Kennedy offense on their last series, securing the win and the current top spot in the SSL.
Shafter will face off against the Titans of Chavez High on Friday night, with rival Wasco looming on Nov. 1. The scheduled kickoff on Friday night is at 7:30 p.m. in Shafter.
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