CAUTION: THE 'DANGER ZONE' UP AHEAD
Posted 11-12-01
This is the moment everyone has been waiting for.
When the Rams and Warriors clash on Friday night, you can forget the records, post-season aspirations, and league championships. This game was circled on the schedule way back in January ... and it has finally arrived.
Overall, Tehachapi has the edge on the series 13-12-2. In this storied rivalry’s (modern) league history however, the Warriors have managed to beat the Rams only three of nine times, with one tie. More than any other league game, the three wins were ones to remember for the Tehachapi fans and players.
In 1993, the duo of Kurt Liebengood and Patrick Duffy guided the Warriors ground game with a one-two punch in pulling out a lopsided win, 33-7.
In 1997, it was arguably the greatest defensive play in Tehachapi’s history when Eddie Brown picked off an interception and eluded the entire Ram offense on his way to the endzone. Those final six points proved to be the difference, and the Warriors won 18-17.
In 2000, it was the Jerad Romo show with four rushing touchdowns. The quarterback keeper proved to be the difference in the game, and Tehachapi cruised to the 34-10 win.
Many of this year’s Garces players don’t remember the games in 93 or 97, but one thing’s for sure, they remember the one in 2000, and they want redemption.
With an offense that averages just under 386 yards a game, it’s conceivable that they just might get it. The Rams offense was rated the best in the county after week eight, and is lead with a very solid ground game headed by Adam Cook and D.T. Hronis, who have combined for 1566 yards and 21 touchdowns so far this year in their respected wingback positions. The passing game is also good, with Matt Oliver connecting on 40 passes for 588 yards and four TD’s, with two TD’s going to Cook, and 17 passes for 234 yards going to Mahlmann.
On defense, the Rams have given up 361 yards a game, but with an offense like theirs, it really doesn’t matter. Look for Matt Oliver to light up the Tehachapi night sky with the pass on Friday night hoping to pull out a share of the SSL championship. Garces’s has averaged almost 52 points in their last three league wins over Arvin, Shafter, and Taft, and the Warriors have averaged just over 26 points against those same teams, making the Rams a legitimate offensive juggernaut that is more than capable of lighting up the scoreboard. For the Warriors to win this game, the defensive backs, linebackers, and linemen need to be on top of their game and try to find a way to slow down the Ram offensive machine.
There is no doubt that this weeks match-up has all the makings for one that will be remembered in this great Garces/Tehachapi rivalry. There is a lot at stake for both teams, with Garces vying for a league title and Tehachapi preserving their chance for a number one seed and home field advantage in the large school sequoia playoffs.
When the voice of Kenny Loggin’s “Danger Zone” blares through the cold wind on the mountain Friday night, it will signal in another chapter to a bitter rivalry. Hopefully for the Warriors, another name or two can be added to the list of Kurt Liebengood, Patrick Duffy, Eddie Brown, and Jerad Romo when the game is over. I wonder who it will be this year? In a game this important, it will undoubtedly need more than a few heroes.
Good Luck Warriors!
WEEKLY WARRIOR NOTES
--It appears that sequoia large school Yosemite 8-1 (3-0 CSL) is currently ahead of Tehachapi in the sequoia polls, which may mean that Tehachapi may end up with a no. 2 seed in the playoffs unless the Badgers lose this Friday. San Joaquin Memorial and Yosemite are hooking up this week with the Central Sequoia League Title on the line, and if the Panthers can pull out a win, that will help Tehachapi's chances for a number one seed in the large school playoffs if they defeat Garces. To make the seeding decision a little easier after this week, hope that Runningback Jerrone Garrett and Quarterback Chris Joseph can guide San Joaquin Memorial to a win on the road!
--In last weeks win at Wasco, many players turned in outstanding performances, but this week’s standout player was a tie between two Warriors, Philip Altieri and Danny Vandeventer.
Altieri had a solid game knowing that Wasco quarter back Simon Lowen would be testing the pass defense, registering seven tackles and three pass deflections on the night. One of his tackles occurred right before half, when he made a touchdown saving tackle of Wasco’s Marcus Ballard after he nabbed in a 16 yard catch. In addition to these accolades, the player of the week honor was given to Altieri because of one play on a PAT. A pass deflection on a two-point conversion with 5.6 seconds left in the game denied a Wasco completion and helped Tehachapi preserve the narrow one point victory.
Vandeventer was also given player of the week honors because of his overall game both on offense and defense. On the ground, Vandeventer was “Mr. Dependable” registering 51 yards on twelve carries with two touchdowns while also logging in six tackles with one quarterback pressure on defense.
Congratulations to Philip and Danny for being Week 9 Warriors of the Week!
Other Tehachapi players turning in outstanding performances included Chris Denman with eight pressures and three tackles including three catches for 41 yards.
Gary Evans with 144 yards rushing, Derik Easttom with a rushing touchdown and five defensive tackles, Josh Christy with ten tackles, Matt Schaefer with eight tackles, Billy Young with five tackles and a pressure, and Ryan Lange with four pressures and three tackles.
Philip Altieri (#26) and Danny Vandeventer (#20)
WEEKLY WARRIOR PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
--Here are the Sequoia Division’s TOP 10 Teams. The information in parenthesis indicate the last game that was played by that team:
THE WEEKLY WARRIOR
Sequoia Division Top 10 Poll (Week 10)
1. Dos Palos (WIN 33-7 over Washington
Union)
2. Tehachapi (WIN 21-20 over Wasco)
3. Yosemite (WIN 40-20 over Dinuba)
4. Liberty (WIN 23-14 over Taft)
5. San Joaquin Memorial (WIN 26-14 over Sierra)
6. Garces Memorial (WIN 44-40 over Taft)
7. Washington Union (LOSS 33-7 to Dos Palos)
8. Hanford West (WIN 41-19 over Granite Hills)
9. Coalinga (WIN 28-21 over Kerman)
10. Orosi (WIN 35-15 over Corcoran)
