The Varsity football team is back in the playoffs for the third year in a row in hopes to chase a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) division 5 blue banner. Tigers haven’t had the best of luck in the past few years, but things are already looking better this time with the Tigers getting a first round bye week due to their fourth seed placement.
With a lot of hard work on the field came some good accomplishments. The varsity football team also won Western Athletic Conference (WAC) for the second year in a row with an undefeated league record of 7-0 and overall record of 9-1.
Not to mention the outstanding performances the players have been putting on, averaging 30 points per game throughout the season. The quarterback, David Herrera was questioned on his thoughts of the amazing last season and the playoff placement. He said, “This is definitely one of the best seasons I’ve had and definitely a great group of guys on my side. We have worked so hard this season and everything we have done as a team has paid off. Playoffs is going to be a good test to separate us from the other teams and we are definitely already making a point by getting that first round bye week.”
When the playoff brackets were made by the CIF commission, they stated, “Los Banos a team from the middle of nowhere has made it in the fourth seed to receive a first round bye.” really caused the Tiger football team to be slightly more upset due to them expecting some praise for the hard work they put in. When starting receiver, Yahir Zuniga was questioned about the statement he stated, “Myself and the team took it pretty personal due to such a small statement and no praise/compliments like how they were shown to Hilmar that is only 20 minutes away from us.” Would this fuel the team in the playoff run? Zuniga responded, “Definitely, especially when they complement the smaller town not even 20 minutes away and saying we are in the middle of nowhere. That has been on our mind throughout the past two weeks and we will definitely show why we are the fourth seed.”
The Los Banos Tigers are set to play the fifth seed, Center Cougars from Antelope, CA who have just beaten twelfth seed Masa Verde from Citrus Heights, CA 55-0. A very big win on their part but will they be ready to face a very good Tiger squad? Cade Torres said, “I believe we have a very high chance of winning this game against Center, but it always comes down to who has the most fire throughout the game and that will be shown this Friday.”
Los Banos faced Center on November 10 at Loftin Stadium and won 30-7. A very big win and the team will be set to play Twelve Bridges from Lincoln, CA.
