Three Warriors that earned All-South Yosemite League 1st team honors include, left to right, Abraham Katona, Nick Steele, and Chris Rhodes.
Steele was also selected as the Most Valuable Player of the 2014 Warrior football team.Photographs by Michael Duffy.

2014 Warrior Football Players
Selected To All-SYL and All-Area Teams

Posted by Matt Martz, The Tehachapi News, on January 19, 2015

The Warriors completed their first year in the South Yosemite League ranks this past season, earning a third place finish.

Tehachapi (6-5; 3-2 SYL) rushed for 225.8 yards per game and 34 total touchdowns, while also logging 24 sacks and six interceptions on defense.

Leading the way were seven players that were named to the league's first, second and honorable mention teams.

Earning South Yosemite League first team recognition was Chris Rhodes (RB), Rocky Radcliff (OL), Daniel Wight (DL), Nick Steele (LB) and Abraham Katona (K).

Earning second team SYL honors was Angel Garcia (DL) and Willy Urciel (RB).

Below is a breakdown of all the selections for Tehachapi.

Angel Garcia

Also this year's SYL Defensive MVP and All-Area second team defensive selection, Garcia led a defense that allowed just 21 points per game, limiting opponents to 20 points or less in seven of 11 games this season. The junior recored 24 tackles and 60 tackle assists, five sacks, and recovered four fumbles while causing two. He will no doubt play a crucial role in Tehachapi's SYL title quest in 2015.

Chris Rhodes

A three-year varsity player, Rhodes was the Warriors' offensive workhorse. Also an All-Area honorable mention, the senior led Tehachapi in rushing yards with 1,042 on 183 carries, and scored a second best 11 rushing touchdowns on 5.7 yards per carry. His best game of the season came against East on Oct. 17, when he scored five TDs and ran for 194 yards. The Warriors will need to dig deep to replace such a huge component to their running game if they want to be competitive this coming season.

Rocky Radcliff

Another three-year starter for the Warriors, the senior anchored a solid O-line that cleared the way for a rushing attack that averaged 5.1 yards per carry and
had five running backs that had 100 yards or more on the season. Radcliff was also named an All-Area second team offensive player by the Bakersfield Californian.

Daniel Wight

One of the best defensive lineman in the SYL, Wight is also an All-Area honorable mention. He is a fearsome player recording 22 tackles, 57 tackle assists,
six sacks, two interceptions and three forced fumbles this past season. Luckily for the Warriors, Wight will return next season, hungry for a title in his senior year.

Nick Steele

Also All-Area honorable mention, Steele is a versatile two-way player. He is a dominating linebacker and equally formidable running back. The senior rolled up 258 rushing yards on 31 carries this past season to go along with 74 receiving yards and five total touchdowns. He also racked up 24 tackles, a pair of sacks and one interception. Steele will leave some big shoes to fill on the defensive side of the ball.

Abraham Katona

The senior kicker and punter nailed two 40-yard field goals this past season. The first against Centennial and another at Ridgeview. Also an All-Area honorable mention,
Katona put up 44 points for the Warriors this past season, making 32-of-33 PATs and nailing 4-of-7 field goals. Katona is more than just a kicker however,
he was also an intimidating force on the Warriors defense, recording 23 tackles, 23 tackle assists and one interception.

Willy Urciel

The Warriors leading scorer with 12 rushing TDs, the All-Area honorable mention racked up 694 yards on 141 carriers. His best game came against Foothill
to open the 2014 campaign on Aug. 29, as he rushed for four TDs on 52 yards. The senior's departure to graduation will no doubt be heavily felt.

Several varsity Warrior players were recognized by the coaching staff during he annual football banquet held on December 17, 2014. Pictured from left to right include:
Abraham Katona, Most Valuable Special Teams; Nic Steele, Most Valuable Player; Evan Sheehan, Most Improved; Willy Urciel, Warrior Award; Chris Rhodes, Most Valuable Offensive Player;
Angel Garcia, Most Valuable Defensive Player. Not pictured: Rocky Radcliff, Most Valuable Lineman. Photograph by Matt Martz, The Tehachapi News.

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