Former Tehachapi Warrior football standout Shawn Pimentel recently completed a two-year stay
at Fresno City College playing football for the Rams. Photo by The Tehachapi News.
Posted by Tom Shea, The Tehachapi News on January 26, 2010 Former Warrior Shawn Pimentel
Accepts Scholarship From Northwestern Oklahoma
After two years of success on the gridiron at Fresno City College, former Warrior standout Shawn Pimentel is taking his football talent to the next stage.
Pimentel, who was a two-time all-league tight end for Tehachapi in 2006 and 2007, has accepted a scholarship to play for top-ranked Northwestern-Oklahoma State next season.
The scholarship has an estimated value of $42,000 over three years, and the former Warrior has already started to take full advantage of the education by starting classes this semester.
"He absolutely loves it there, he was nervous at first but once he started to settle in he really liked the atmosphere," said proud father Noe Pimentel. "It really is first class. From the accommodations in the locker room to the cafeteria, you can't ask for better."
Northwestern-Oklahoma State is a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) power, finishing last season with a 7-3 mark, and an undefeated record in the Central States Football League. One of those wins included a victory over Colorado State, a member of the NCAA (Division I) Mountain West Conference.
With last season's success, and the corps of last year's team returning, expectations are high for Northwestern-Oklahoma to finish in the top-tier state rankings.
"They had a very good football team last year, and that coupled with the scholarship they offered Shawn it was hard to pass up," added Noe Pimentel. "From what the coaches told us, one of the missing pieces that they've been lacking is an all-inclusive receiving and blocking tight end. They said they feel they have that now."
Pimentel has two years of collegiate eligibility remaining to play football. When his two years expire, Pimentel will use his third scholarship season by serving as a player-coach on the football staff.
"(The coaches) are really excited about Shawn. They said they hope to revamp their offense to include him," Noe Pimentel said.
Pimentel finished his high school days with two touchdowns his senior year, helping to guide the Warrior offense to 3,614 yards on the ground (almost seven yards a carry).
At Fresno City, Pimentel had a 3.0 grade point average and started both years for the Rams offense.
"We're excited for him. He has a great opportunity not only in football but in his education as well. It should be a very exciting three years," Noe Pimentel said.
Shawn Pimentel (above in black and white) spent the last two years as a tight end for Fresno City College,
helping the Rams to a 7-4 record in 2009. Pimentel recently accepted a three-year scholarship to attend Northwestern-Oklahoma
State University to continue his education and football career. Photo by Michael Duffy, The Tehachapi News