The good news for the Central Tigers in their homecoming game against their District AII-3 rival Talihina Golden Tigers on Friday night at Tiger Stadium was the Tigers players the No. 1 Golden Tigers closer than anyone has so far this season.

The not-so-good news was the No. 1 Golden Tigers showed why they’re ranked No. 1 as they defeated the Tigers 37-12 to spoil Central’s homecoming and hand the Tigers their third straight loss after opening the season at 3-0.

After falling behind the Golden Tigers (6-0 overall, 3-0 in district play), the Tigers (3-3, 0-3) tied the game at 6-all on Kiefer Bailey’s 42-yard touchdown pass to Gavin Randolph late in the first quarter.

The Tigers took their only lead of the night on Bailey’s second TD pass of the night, a 13-yarder to Aiden Cawhorn, but from there it was all Golden Tigers.

Talihina scored two touchdowns before halftime to take an 18-12 lead at the break, then scored two TDs in the third quarter and one in the fourth quarter to put away the game.

In defeat, Bailey threw for 110 yards and two touchdowns, while Kaw-Liga Lewis threw a 37-yard pass on his only attempt.

Miller led the Tigers in rushing with 47 yards, while Randolph’s 42 yards receiving and a TD led the Tigers in that category.

The Tigers are pretty much in playoff mode from here on as they ned to either win out or go 3-1 over their final four games to have a shot at the playoffs. That first game will be a 7 p.m. Thursday as the Tigers will play a district road game against the Mounds Golden Eagles (0-6, 0-3), which lost 67-0 Friday night at Liberty and have been outscored 307-44 so far this season.

••• To Get There — Take U.S. 64 west to Sallisaw. Take Interstate 40 west to the Muskogee Turnpike. Take the Muskogee Turnpike west to the Creek Turnpike. Take the Creek Turnpike west to U.S. 75. Take U.S. 75 south to Mounds.