TRACY – Weston Ranch came out and played an inspired second half of football Friday in a 48-27 loss to Kimball.

The Cougars trailed by two touchdowns at the break and outscored the host 6-0 in the third quarter to pull within one possession heading into the fourth frame.

Weston Ranch held Kimball to a field-goal attempt in the fourth quarter, which was blocked by the Cougars but picked up and advanced for a Kimball touchdown and the back-breaker.

The Jaguars improved to 2-1 in Valley Oak League play and 3-3 overall.

“The ref called it a live ball, and we didn’t think he could advance on a blocked field goal,” Weston Ranch head coach Seth Davis said. “But our boys continued to fight and didn’t give up. We did some good things tonight.”

Erron Duncan finished with 240 yards receiving and a touchdown.

Quamante Battle ran for 90 yards with a touchdown. Junior quarterback Marcus Moore threw for more than 300 yards and had 95 more on the ground with two touchdowns.

Weston Ranch is now 1-2 in the VOL and will travel to meet Sonora next week.

“It could have been a big momentum swing for us,” Davis concluded. “Now we have to go up the hill this week.”