Tehachapi at Liberty (Bakersfield)
September 29, 2000
Posted October 2, 2000, by The Tehachapi News Tehachapi 21 Liberty 10
After three big non-league victories, it seems like the Warriors believed the media's hype and predictions of a walk away game against Liberty. Trouble was the Patriots weren't about to rollo ver for the THS varsity football program and handed the Warriors their toughest challenge of the season.
The Warriors got by the first of several tough hurdles yet to come after defeating Liberty, 21-10, Friday and "damage control" from the sidelines reports some bruised egos but the Warriors should benefit from their brush with lethargy.
From the opening kickoff, the Warriors had an "attitude" working as they easily marched downfield on their first possession. Then just 10 yards from the end zone, Warrior QB Jerad Romo was caught flipping a weak pass to the sidelines that was intercepted by a hungry Patriot.
Liberty then mounted a 13-play drive that stalled at the THS 16 yard line where Liberty attempted a field goal that drifted wide of the uprights.
After a scoreless first quarter the Warriors got the ball back early in the second quarter only to succumb to another interception which eventually led to a Patriots' field goal at 6:33.
Once Liberty had scored, the Warriors settled into a groove, playing good old fashioned "mountain football".
Tehachapi then started a 75 yard drive using Dustin McBride and Bob Unger to rush for the lion's share of the yardage. Romo added a 9 yard run and newcomer Gary Evans picked up eight to get the fans to check their program for number 28. McBride scored the first of his three TD's from the 3 yard line to put the Warriors in the lead after Jake Steele kicked the PAT.
After the half, the Warriors got a break when the Patriots fumbled a pass that was scooped up by Warrior Ron Christy who rambled to the Liberty 26 before he was tackled.
Warrior Derik Easttom picked up 13 tards to put McBride in line for his second TD at 9:27 of the 3rd quarter. The ensuing PAT was wide to give the Warriors a 13-3 lead.
Tehachapi added another 6 points in the 4th quarter when McBride scored from 4 yards out. Romo then connected with Easttom for a two point PAT and a 21-3 lead.
Liberty scored their only TD of the game late in the 4th quarter after a 12 play passing clinic where the Patriots completed 5 of 8 passes for 70 of the 96 yards in the drive.
With 23 seconds remaining in the game, Liberty attempted an onside kick, but the Warrior special teams secured the possession and the victory.
Tehachapi rushed for 178 yards and completed 3 of 7 passes for 15 yards. Liberty gained 112 yards on the ground and completed 16 of 33 passes for 154 yards.
Game Boxscore
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final Tehachapi 0 7 6 8 21 Liberty 3 0 0 7 10
The Scoring:
1st Quarter:
Lib - field goal
2nd Quarter:
Teh – McBride 3 yard run (Steele kick)
3rd quarter:
Teh - McBride 13 yard run (kick failed)
4th quarter:
Teh – McBride 4 yard run (Romo to Easttom pass PAT)
Lib -
Tehachapi at Liberty Statistics
THS LHS First Downs Rushes-Yards 178 112 Passing Yards 15 154 Comp-Att-Int 3-7-2 16-33-0 Total Yards 193 266 Punts N/A N/A Fumbles-Lost N/A N/A Penalties N/A N/A
Individual Statistics:
RUSHING - Not available.
PASSING - Not available.
RECEIVING - Not available.
JV – Tehachapi 14 Liberty 6
Frosh - No Score