Taft at Tehachapi
September 2, 2022
Warrior Mike Jones #33 had one of his finest games as a Warriors Thursday rushing for 143 yards - scoring one TD
- and logging 13 tackles on defense. His brusing style of play helped Tehachapi secure a big win over Taft.
Tehachapi now travels to Wasco in a game of undefeated teams. Game time is 7:30 pm. (Photo by Vicky Shea, The Tehachapi News.)
Posted by The Tehachapi News Sports Staff on September 3, 2022. Running Game Overwhelms Wildcats in Victory
The Warriors remain undefeated in the young season after a dominant performance in a battle of undefeated teams, taking down visiting Taft, 30-20, last Thursday evening at Coy Burnett Stadium.
Tehachapi (3-0) was able to run at will over the Wildcats, rushing for 414 yards overall, with the main workhorses being Mike Jones and AJ Anderson.
Jones rushed for 143 yards on 21 carries and recorded a rushing touchdown, while Anderson had 192 yards on 13 carries and two rushing touchdowns.
The Warriors also had strong contributions from Ryan Wilson, Karson Tiewater and Andrew Aguirre, who all combined for 71 yards rushing.
Defensively, Jones was a standout on defense with 13 tackles, a sack and a hurry, followed by Wyatt Richie with 10 tackles,
Tanner Gary with nine tackles three hurries and a sack, Nick Smith with eight tackles and four hurries, Adrian Pina with eight tackles,
Christian Morse with seven tackles and Tiewater with two pass deflections.
Another highlight came on special teams, where kicker Martin Rodriguez set a new Tehachapi High record with
three successful field goals of 25, 26 and 35 yards. In the 92-year history of Mountain Football, Tehachapi has registered two field goals in a game a handful of times,
but Thursday night was the first time that the Warriors recorded three field goals in one contest. Rodriguez added to his performance by going 3-3 on PATs,
averaging 47 yards on kickoffs and recovering an onside kick attempt by the Wildcats.
The Warriors will be on the road this week against undefeated Wasco, who defeated Porterville-Monache last week 40-20.
The game will be at Wasco with a kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Please make sure to visit Twitter @tehachapisports or the
Tehachapi Warriors Booster Club page on Facebook for the latest updates.
Junior Varsity
On offense, Wade Brooks recorded 114 yards rushing with two touchdowns on the ground while adding 10 tackles,<>br> three pass deflections and a fumble recovery on defense to help lead Tehachapi (2-0) to a shutout victory over Taft, 35-0.
The Warriors also had rushing touchdowns from Kaidon Hagerty, Aiden Nicholson and Liddon Scott in the victory.
On defense, Scott had a big afternoon with 14 tackles and a sack, followed by Cyler Hoofard with 12 tackles,
Leo Gonzalez with 11 tackles (fumble caused and recovery) and Mason Rothermel and Hagerty with five tackles apiece. Carter Kolesar also had a good night with
a 5-5 performance on PATs after each Warrior touchdown.
The Braves will be on the road this Friday afternoon at Wasco. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final Taft 0 0 14 6 20 Tehachapi 3 10 10 7 30
Taft vs Tehachapi Statistics
TAFT THS First Downs 8 23 Rushes-Yards 17-120 55-414 Passing Yards 61 8 Comp-Att-Int 5-14-0 1-6-0 Total Yards 181 422 Punts 4-33.0 Penalties 5-25 11-127
Individual Statistics:
RUSHING — Taft: Cash 1-6, Gaylord 3-83, Neudorf 7-37.
Tehachapi: AJ Anderson 13-192, Jones 21-143, Root 3-8, Aguirre 4-18, Trewater 4-4, Wilson 10-32.
PASSING — Taft: Neudorf 5-14-61-0. Tehachapi: Root 1-6-8-0.
RECEIVING — Taft: Jennings 3-71, Gaylord 2-(-10), Cash 1-6. Tehachapi: Morse 1-8.
Varsity Records: Tehachapi 3-0 Taft 2-1
