Tigers suffer first SSL loss

The Wasco Tigers football team suffered their first league loss on Friday night, dropping a tough contest to the Kennedy Thunderbirds on Homecoming night, 20 -12. In a battle of two of the favorites in the SSL, the Tigers looked like they would be celebrating a Homecoming win until the second half. Wasco used a ground attack and key passes from David Manzo to score in the first half and take a 7-6 lead into the half. Kennedy then used a balanced attack to take the lead, 14-12.

But the Thunderbirds used a passing attack that gave them a 14-12 lead until late in the game. With a 14-12 lead and time running out, the Kennedy defense stopped Manzo and company on a fourth down and 17 yards to go play to take over on downs.

Kennedy scored on the next play from scrimmage on a 27-yard run, giving them a 20-12 lead. But, the PAT failed, giving the Tigers a glimmer of hope. But the Tigers were hurt by a penalty, pushing the ball back to the 36 yard line. Manzo then scrambled to find a receiver, but stumbled and threw an off-balance pass that was picked off by the Thunderbirds, who returned the ball to the Tigers’ 2-yard line, ending the Tigers’ hopes.

With the loss, Wasco is in second place in the SSL, with Kennedy and Chavez tied at the top with 3-0 records.

The Tigers will look to get back on track on Friday night with a game on the road against Chavez. The junior varsity game begins at 5 p.m. with the varsity kicking off at 7:30 p.m.