Posted by thswarriors.com on September 21, 2011 SSL Ramblings
Warrior Watch: Garces vs Memorial Saturday Night
Warriors Play Host To Burros This Week
Tehachapi improved to 2-1 last Friday night with a ho-hum methodical 21-0 blanking of North High School of Bakersfield. The Warriors seemed to display a little less zeal than they did the week before against Garces --- understandable considering the magnitude of the rivalry and being center stage as the Bakersfield area "Game of the Week".
Speaking of rivalries, as mentioned last week, Tehachapi and Garces have now played each other 40 times in games dating back to the 1940's in what is now called the "Ogilvie Bowl".
Garces plays San Joaquin Memorial this week in another highly anticipated game in central San Joaquin Valley circles. This game has all sorts of drama. These two private Catholic schools will be playing each other for the 46th time with the winner walking away with the coveted Bishops Trophy. Both teams are undefeated so far.
Garces is trying to avenge a loss last year in Bakersfield in an epic game won by Memorial, 41-35. Highly prized running back recruit Chris Brown led Memorial last year and he's back again for his senior season. (Note #1 to Warrior fans: Tehachapi caught a break last season in the championship game with Memorial when Brown could not play due to an injury). Memorial wide receiver Jordan Stallworth, and QB Nic Kinder, are also back for their seniors season on a Panther team that is loaded in 2011 (Note #2 to Warrior fans: Stallworth filled in as QB in the Warrior-Panther championship game in 2010).
What's important for Garces, Memorial, and Tehachapi, is this game will have an impact on the all important seeding for the post-season playoffs. All three teams are Division II teams and could face each other in the playoffs. The Warriors would much rather play games in Tehachapi or in Bakersfield than travel to the Fresno area for playoff games. Since Garces just did get by the Warriors two weeks ago, it might make some sense for Warrior fans to root for Garces in this one.
The Garces-Memorial game is Saturday night in Fresno.
Meet the Burroughs High School Burros
Burros has a new school brand (logo) and a new head football coach this year in Todd Mather. Mather replaces former coach Matt Gracey, a Tehachapi high school alum, who led the Burro football program from 2007 through 2010. The Burros come to the Mountain as members of the tough Desert Sky Conference, and a pre-league record of 2-1 so far. The Burros have defeated Hesperia, 44-7, and Lancaster, 27-17. The loss was to Highland-Palmdale, 35-42.
Burros is led by their inspirational leader #70 center Kyle Hart (6'4" 240 pounds). Hart has orally committed to a football scholarship from San Jose State University. QB Daniel Pietrangelo #12 has connected on 25 of 53 passes for 8 TD's to lead the potent Burro passing attack. His favorite receiver is Dakoda Leer #82 who has hauled in 9 passes for 191 yards and 2 TD's. Running back Tyler Cabral #4 leads the ground game with 127 yards rushing and 3 TD's.
Tehachapi leads the overall series by an 11 to 8 margin. There have been some very exciting and competitive games over the years between these two schools. A few highlights from the past three years:
* In 2010, Marcus Curiel scored a TD in the final quarter, breaking a 14-14 tie, to preserve a hard fought Warrior victory, 21-14.
* In 2009, Tehachapi jumped out ot a 28-0 lead in the first quarter, only to have the Burros storm back to tie the game 28-28 in the fourth quarter. The Warriors pulled the game out in the final minute of play to win the game.
* In 2008, Burros returned a kickoff 98 yards with a few seconds remaining in the game to shock Tehachapi, 23-21.
A look back over the scores for nearly every game over the last decade reveals close competitive games. Get to your seats early at Coy Burnett Field for this one!
Around the South Sequoia League (SSL)
The SSL performed much better in Week 2 going a combined 4-2. The Warriors defeated North; Wasco crushed McFarland, 68-6, continuing to put up big offensive numbers; Shafter defeated McFarland 36-20, to improve to 2-1; and Bakersfield Christian earned an impressive win over CVC-Visalia 41-21.
Taft lost to Exeter, 50-38. Taft continues to score in bunches --- but gives up even more on defense. And Arvin played pretty well in a 27-7 loss to Garces. But like Tehachapi, Garces seemed to lack a little energy in this game following an emotional high against Tehachapi last week, and heading into their big matchup this week against Memorial.
