Tigers suffer first regular season defeat in over a year

The Wasco High Tigers saw their regular season winning streak come to an end with a 27-20 loss to the undefeated Tehachapi Warriors on Friday night.

The Tigers dug themselves an early hole, falling behind the Warriors 21-0 in the first half. Used to usually getting an early lead, the Tigers saw the Warriors score on a drive that began when they recovered a Wasco fumble on their first play from scrimmage. Before the game was four minutes old, Tehachapi had a 7-0 lead.

On Wasco’s next two drives, the Tigers failed to convert on fourth down plays, giving the Warriors the ball in good field position. This resulted in a 21-0 lead for Tehachapi.

The Tigers didn’t give up and clawed their way back into the game with a scoring drive before halftime that was aided by key receptions by Eli Vasquez and Isiah Acosta, cutting the lead to 21-8 at the half.

In the second half, quarterback David Manzo threw for 122 yards to Acosta, Vasquez and Romero Lopez, in addition to a strong game by running back Michael Dominguez.

With the Tigers down 27-14 in the fourth quarter, they found themselves with the ball, but pinned down at their own one yard line. But Manzo and company unleashed an drive that included six carries by Dominguez and ended with a touchdown pass from Manzo to Vasquez, cutting the lead to 27-20.

The Tigers’ defense gave the locals a chance with over a minute to go, with a stop on the Warriors. But, Manzo was intercepted, ending the threat and leaving Tehachapi one of just a couple of undefeated teams left in Kern County.

The Tigers will try to get back on the winning track on Friday night with an SSL contest in McFarland.