ARE YOU READY FOR SOME...BYE WEEK?
Posted 11-01-01
Ah ... the infamous bye.
In a week that should have brought a re-match of one of last years losses in Paraclete, the Warriors find themselves with a bye before taking on a crucial SSL-clinching title game with the Wasco Tigers.
The game against the Spirits this week would have been a good one if it weren’t for the scheduling conflict that arose between the Central and Southern Sections. Paraclete has continued its winning ways from last year with impressive wins over Quartz Hill (19-13) and Chaminade (22-17), and probably would have given the Warriors a run for their money again. But alas, I suppose that the game was not meant to be.
I know what you are all saying. Why couldn’t Tehachapi find a team to play this week? Didn’t they say they would look “statewide” for an opponent? There must have been SOMEBODY in California that had a bye the same week Tehachapi did ...
Well, there was. Only problem is, it didn’t work out.
As luck would have it, the team that had the bye was a team called Orestimba (O rest I’m BA) in Stanislaus County, about 4 hours and 30 minutes away. A team in Orestimba’s league (Delhi) decided to scrap its varsity season, leaving an opening for the Orestimba Warriors (yes…the Warriors) on November 2nd, when Tehachapi had its bye. Before you get too upset that something wasn’t arranged, keep in mind that Orestimba probably wouldn’t have been a very good opponent based on the type of season they have had so far. But still, it would have been interesting to have a match-up of the Warriors vs. the Warriors.
Orestimba is currently 1-7 on the season. Some notes on Orestimba is that their only lone win so far this year was against Mariposa, which is somewhat surprising because that same Mariposa team knocked off Gustine 12-6, while Orestimba took a loss to Gustine 47-21.
Grant Snyder, the athletic director for Tehachapi, was contacted about the Orestimba bye, but for some reason, nothing could get formalized. I guess these things happen.
The tragedy in not playing this team is the fact that their passing game is rather good, and it would give the Tehachapi defense another test against a pass-oriented offense. Orestimba is lead by a 2000 All-Southern League selection in Brian Black, who guided Orestimba his junior year as a quarterback to 2,600 passing yards, which was better than any quarterback in the county. This year, Black is playing wide receiver, and new-comber quarterback Lalo Perez is taking the snaps, firing for 11 touchdowns with 2 games still left in the season.
The bye week is not without its positives, however. With the extra week, it will give Tehachapi a chance to rest and get further prepared for Wasco, which will be the determining game in the Warriors bid for the SSL title.
Overall, the biggest hurdle to overcome is ending the season with only 9 games. Hopefully, the 9 game season will not hinder the seedings for the CIF playoffs, especially if Tehachapi wins its next two match-ups with Wasco and Garces. With the Warriors currently riding at the no. 2 spot right behind Dos Palos, a win against the Tigers and Rams would probably give them a no. 1 seed in the Sequoia Large School CIF playoffs, which isn’t to shabby.
So, since there won’t be a game this week, I hope everyone can find some other extra-curricular activity to do on Friday night. I heard K-Pax and / or Training Day were pretty good flicks. For the diehard Warrior fans and players, you might consider taking a drive up the 119 Freeway to Taft (Rams and Wildcats) or the 99 up to Shafter (Generals and Patriots). Both games should be pretty interesting.
Everyone have a great week. Be sure to come back next Thursday to see the next edition of the WARRIOR WEEKLY!
