Shafter Generals at Tehachapi
Friday, November 1, 2002
Shafter Shocks The Warriors On The Mountain
Posted Saturday, November 2, 2002, by the Bakersfield Californian
TEHACHAPI -- As the temperature dropped in the Tehachapi Mountains on Friday night, so did the Warriors' chances at a share of the South Sequoia League football title.
Shafter receiver Nick Abarca and quarterback Adam Hernandez played the roles of spoilers, combining on four TDs, including the game winner with 1:09 remaining as the Generals defeated the Warriors, 29-23.
Abarca's 36-yard TD catch from Adam Hernandez, their fourth hook-up of the contest, proved to be the game-winner for the Generals (5-4, 2-2 SSL).
Hernandez completed 20-of-42 passes for 288 yards and four touchdowns. Abarca finished with seven catches for 108 yards and kicked a 34-yard field goal.
Tehachapi (6-2, 2-2) took an 8-7 halftime lead after holding Shafter in the final seconds of the second quarter, with Abarca missing a field goal. The Warriors pulled ahead 15-7 in the third quarter when Phillips Altieri scored on a 39-yard run.
But Abarca, who caught a 55-yard TD pass in the first quarter, helped the Generals retake the lead in the third quarter with a 13-yard TD catch from Hernandez.
A late fumble by Tehachapi gave the Generals position on the Warriors' 20-yard line, which led to the first score in the fourth quarter for Shafter, a 7-yard Hernandez-Abarca hook-up that cut Tehachapi's lead to 23-22.
Josh Christy blocked the ensuing extra-point keep the Warriors ahead but an onside kick recovery by James Zrofsky gave Shafter the opportunity it needed for its game-winning drive.
The Warriors regained possession with 1:00 remaining but were unable to score.
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final Shafter 7 0 9 13 29 Tehachapi 0 8 7 8 23
The Scoring:
S-Abarca 55 pass from Hernandez-Abarca kick
T-Hutchinson 3 run-Hutchinson run
T-Altieri 39 run- Sullivan kick
S-Abarca 13 pass from Hernandez-run failed
S-FG Abarca 34
T-Barcelona 45 interception return-Christy catch
S-Abarca 7 pass from Hernandez-Pat blocked
S-Abarca 36 pass from Hernandez-Abarca kick
SHAFTER vs TEHACHAPI GAME STATS
SHS THS First Downs 18 3 Rushes-Yards 27-76 28-96 Passing Yards 288 67 Comp-Att-Int 20-42-2 2-9-0 Total Yards 364 163 Punts 3 7 Fumbles Lost 1 2 Penalties 10-85 11-97
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS:
RUSHING--Shafter, Hernandez 13-46 yards, Tehachapi Troffer 6-35.
PASSING--Shafter, Hernandez 20-42-2 288 yards, Tehachapi Sanchez 2-9-0 67 yards