HERSCHER - After falling behind by double digits very early, the Seneca Fighting Irish came back to lead at halftime and stay on a possible playoff course.

But after holding the Tigers scoreless in each of their final four drives of the first half, the Irish allowed Herscher touchdowns on each of its first three possessions of the second half. That late offensive efficiency enabled the equally desperate Tigers to win 31-23 in Interstate Eight Conference crossover play Friday night.

With the loss, the 4-4 Irish would need a lot of help to end a playoff drought that dates back to 2001, even with a win in week nine.