Warriors at Wasco Tigers
November 9, 2001 @ Wasco, CA.
Altieri and Vandeventer after the Wasco game in Wasco.
Posted by Ron Stapp, The Bakersfield Californian on November 10, 2007 Tehachapi Clinches Share of Title, 21-20
WASCO -- Years from now when Wasco high football fans reflect on the glory years, they'll talk about the one that got away.
If only Tehachapi's Philip Altieri hadn't batted down the Tigers' two-point conversion attempt with 5.6 seconds to play, Wasco would have spoiled South Sequoia League champion Tehachapi's near-perfect season.
As it turned out, Altieri's last-second heroics helped preserve the Warriors' 21-20 victory Friday night.
The Warriors (7-1 overall, 5-0 in the SSL) clinched at least a share of the league title heading into next week's game against second-place Garces.
"It was ugly all the way around," Tehachapi coach Steve Denman said. "They really got after us. We were lucky to get out of here with a win."
Trailing 21-14 and with no timeouts remaining, Wasco (1-8, 1-4) drove 60 yards in the final 4:13 and pulled to within one point on a 1-yard touchdown pass from junior Simon Loewen to junior Marcus Ballard with just 5.6 seconds to play.
But rather than play for the tie, Tigers' coach Dan Thiessen went for broke.
On the two-conversion attempt, Loewen rolled to the right and threw toward Ballard in the front corner of the end zone. The play had worked all night. Ballard finished with 10 catches for 108 yards.
But this time, Tehachapi was ready. Altieri stepped in front and batted the ball away, and the Warriors' bench erupted in celebration.
"I told everyone before that play that they we weren't going to let them do it," Altieri said. "I just waited for the quarterback to turn and I went for the ball, and I got it."
Thiessen added: "If it had been earlier in the season I might have played for the tie, but at this stage you have to take your chances. It didn't work, but I'm really proud of our kids.
"They took a giant step forward for our program."
Altieri's defensive stop ended what had been a game of contrasting styles. The powerful ground attack of Tehachapi vs. Wasco's improving aerial assault.
Senior tailback Gary Evans led the Warriors with 144 yards rushing on 14 carries. He had 101 yards on seven carries in the first half when his team built a 14-7 lead.
Danny Vendeventer scored both first-half touchdowns for the Warriors, who finished with 284 yards rushing.
The Tigers countered with the combination of Loewen and Ballard, and fellow junior Tony Ruiz.
Playing in place of senior quarterback David Juarez, who was on the bench, Loewen threw for 210 yards, completing 19-of-30 passes, including two for touchdowns.
After the Warriors took an early 7-0 lead on a 5-yard Vendeventer touchdown run, Loewen connected with Ruiz on a 32-yard scoring strike to tied the score, 7-7, with 10:01 left in the first half.
That's when Evans got into the act. After having no carries in the first quarter,he had 77 yards on just three carries to lead Tehachapi to the go-ahead score.
Evans set up a 1-yard Vendeventer scoring run with a 53-yard scamper.
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final Tehachapi 7 7 0 7 21 Wasco 0 7 7 6 20
T--Vendeventer 5 run (Sullivan kick)
W--Ruiz 32 pass from Loewen (Ruiz kick)
T--Vendeventer 2 run (Sullivan kick)
W--Moore 3 run (Ruiz kick)
T--Easttom 2 run (Sullivan kick)
W--Ballard 1 pass from Loewen (pass failed)
THS vs Wasco Game Statistics
THS WHS First Downs 17 15 Rushes-Yards 47-284 30-75 Passing Yards 41 210 Comp-Att-Int 3-6-0 19-31-0 Total Yards 325 285 Punts-Avg. 4-35.0 5-37.5 Fumbles-Lost 2-1 0-0 Penalties 6-77 2-9
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Tehachapi, Evans 14-144, Bennett 12-58, Vandeventer 12-51, Booker 4-31, Young 1-3, Steele 1-(-1), Easttom 3-(-2).
Wasco, Moore 23-65, Island 2-7, Loewen 4-2, Gonzalez 1-1.PASSING--Tehachapi, Easttom 3-6-0-41. Wasco, Loewen 19-31-0-210.
RECEIVING--Tehachapi, Denman 3-41. Wasco, Ballard 10-108, Ruiz 8-96, Moore 1-6.
