TEHACHAPI EXERCISES 1st ROUND DEMONS IN WIN OVER DINUBA
Posted 11-13-02
Playoffs take an interesting perspective these days. With such a vast amount of teams that make the post-season, the reality is that many who get in are not really out for the hardware, but the experience.
Just being in the playoffs, for many teams, is reason enough to celebrate.
So, this being said, a 36-12 win by Tehachapi over Dinuba had a couple of winners. Yes, Tehachapi may have been victorious on the scoreboard, but Dinuba was victorious in just playing the extra week. In fact, when it comes right down to it, the new playoff format put in place three years ago with a small/large school division was for teams like Dinuba.
For some seniors, it was just one more chance. And that my friends, is really what it’s all about. Just one more chance.
So, to start of my "Weekly Warrior", a big congratulations to Dinuba! The large school division hopes to see you again in future years!
“It was good for Dinuba to be in the playoffs,” said Warrior defensive standout Mike Faulkner. “I know our school never played them before, so it’s good exposure to have everybody play everybody.”
For the game, the final outcome was one that many predicted. Tehachapi needed this victory more than any school in the large sequoia bracket, and they produced.
The Warriors, who last year lost to Clovis East after coming off a heartbreaker loss to Garces, didn’t let this year’s Ram loss detour them from a good first round showing. In fact, during warm-ups, Tehachapi gave no indication of a team that had lost the last three out of four.
That’s maturity.
But even more important than maturity though, was progression. In the first half of the Dinuba contest, Greg Sanchez had already completed five passes for 63 yards and a score. That kind of production may not be impressive to many teams, but for Tehachapi, that kind of production is usually after four quarters, not after the first half.
“I got the pass going pretty good, but I still missed a few,” said Sanchez. “We wanted to work on this coming in, and getting a touchdown and some good yardage helped us get the W.”
Yes Greg, the pass, more than any other weapon, is what pierced the Emperors hope for a first round playoff victory.
Leading 16-6 in the second quarter, Sanchez completed passes to Philip Altieri for 15 yards and Josh Christy for 22 yards to lead the Warriors all the way down to the six-yard line.
But it didn’t end there.
On third and goal, Sanchez connected with Josh Lange on a slant pattern at the goal line for the score.
After a John Sullivan kick, it was 23-6. By all accounts and purposes, the game was sealed…thanks to the catches, and the throws.
In the first half alone, the Warriors had 250 yards of offense, with the majority of those yards racked up on the ground by Tanner Hutchinson and Tony Troffer, who combined for 176 yards on 26 carries. The Wing-T also amassed an impressive 14 first down performance in the first and second quarters, controlling the ball for almost 20 minutes to Dinuba’s four. Tehachapi finished the game with 379 total yards, and Hutchinson broke the 1,000 yard rushing mark for the season. Tanner now has run 152 times for 1,063 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2002.
Not bad for a junior, huh?
Along with ball control, defense was also an integral part to controlling the quick-scoring multiple-pro Emperor attack. For the game, Jed Ingraham continued his masterful season by logging in three tackles, two pressures, and a sack, Mike Wright had four tackles, AJ Barcelona had three tackles and two pass deflections, Altieri had two pass deflections and an interception, Dae Lantz had two tackles, and Andy Grantham had two tackles and three pressures.
Another player that performed well was Bob DiRado, who has been selected as player of the week. DiRado frustrated Dinuba quarterback Jose Del Rio into some arrant passing with steady zone pressure, tallying six tackles, two pass deflections, and a pressure. DiRado was a major reason why the Emperors could only get 12 points on the scoreboard, and performances like the one he gave will prove to be valuable next week over a tough Yosemite squad.
“We just wanted to come in and perform well,” DiRado explained after the win. “Honestly, we looked at the film and we knew that we could be successful against (Dinuba), and all this helps going into the upcoming game.”
Along with DiRado, David Lara is another player that had the opportunity to make some plays in the second half after the game was out of reach, helping contribute on a key block to bust Jeremy Clark on a 40-yard touchdown run. Playoff experience will prove to be an added advantage for next year’s Warrior squad, and with players like Lara and Clark’s good running ability, the future will be bright for Tehachapi in 2003. At Bob’s request, Lara get’s the nod for player of the week as well. Congrats to you both!
Bob DiRado (#9) and David Lara (#22)
WEEKLY WARRIOR PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
WEEKLY WARRIOR NOTES
--- I like the format that I have for the “Weekly Warrior Special” on playoff opponents. If the readers don’t mind, please come back to the site on Wednesday for a pre-game analysis on a match-up with the Badgers in Oakhurst. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m pretty excited about this one! Looking forward to seeing you all there! As a teaser, the players to watch at Yosemite will be highly touted Division I recruit offensive lineman Cole Popovich, tailback Quint Brown, and inside linebacker Michael Graves. These players helped contribute to a 54-20 thrashing over Shafter this week.
In other scores, Kerman downed SSL foe Wasco 21-6, and Coalinga eeked by Sierra at home, winning 32-29.
Football in late November, gotta love it!
--- Thanks to all from Porterville that responded to the article in the Porterville Recorder. I hope that Granite Hills gets what they deserve next year, and I’m glad to see so many people that are in support of the football team. I’ll be rooting for you guys in 2003! Great season, my hat goes off to all of you!
--- It’s been long overdue, but I’d like to take the time to look at some Warrior-Alumni that are currently playing college ball.
This past week, I was able to see Rodney Michael (Class of ’98) in action at center for the Fresno State Bulldogs against the University of Tulsa. Michael helped the (5-5) ‘Dogs to 455 yards of total offense, with 295 through the air and 26 first downs against the Golden Hurricanes in a 31-12 victory. Michael, 6-4, 300 pounds, has started all four years he has been at Fresno St. He received his bachelor's degree in Sociology in May 2002.
In other Division I action, Michael Hall (Class of ’98), pictured above with coach Denman, has been playing spectacular at his defensive back position, currently third on the team in tackles at Illinois University with 47, and second on the team in pass deflections at six. In the Fighting Illini’s second game of the season, Hall scored his first D-1 collegiate touchdown when he ran back a 50-yard fumble return for a score to put the Illini up 14-2 in the first quarter.
Michael and Hall are both seniors, and are anticipated to get high consideration in the upcoming NFL draft and/or free-agency. Good luck to both!
In Division II, Matt Whitlock (Class of ’02) is in his first season with Kentucky Wesleyan. Whitlock has helped the Panthers to 3,394 yards of offense this year, including two 40 point performances against North Greenville and Quincy University.
The junior college ranks also has some outstanding play from former Warriors, the most notable this past week being Joe Kapturkiewicz (Class of ’00). Kapturkiewicz, pictured above, who plays for Citrus College, caught the winning overtime touchdown catch against the Bakersfield College Renegades, helping the Owls to a 24-23 victory on November 9th.
Others playing collegiate ball include Dustin McBride (Class of ’01), Jerad Romo (Class of ’01), Conner Morris (Class of ’01), and Matt Braman (Class of ’99), who all play for the Antelope Valley Marauders. On offense, Braman has helped contribute to AVC’s 315.7 yards per game, while Romo has completed 11 of 26 passes for 98 yards and a score. On defense, Morris has registered four tackles.
McBride, shown above, is in his second year with the team. Dustin has helped Antelope Valley limit opponents to 125.7 yards on the ground this year, logging in 17 tackles, 17 assists, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and a sack.
If there is anyone that I have missed, please email me and let me know. I want to make sure that all past-Warriors currently playing ball are accounted for.
