BRAVES BREAK THE SPIRITS, 19-3

TEHACHAPI NEWS - The Tehachapi High School junior varsity football team logged it's second win Friday in the season opener on Coy Burnett Field by defeating the Paraclete Spirits, 19-3.

The Braves' offense was some-what sluggish, but consistent, scoring a touchdown each in the first and second halves.  Tehachapi fumbled twice in the first half and once in the third quarter to cancel three drives.

"That hurt us in the first half," Braves' Coach Ryan Grimes said.  "We were on their side of the 50 and driving."

The first touchdown of the game cam on the Braves' second drive of the game and was capped by a 12-yard run by Geo Lopez.

Paraclete averted a shutout when they scored a field goal in the second quarter after a brilliant defensive stand by the Braves at the five-yard line.

Stefan Wulf then hit his first of two field goals in the game for a 10-3 lead from the 15-yard line.  This may be the last the Braves see of Wulf whose kicking abilities have caught the eye of the varsity coaching staff.

Later in the game, the Braves gave up a fumble and went three-and-out in the first two drives of the third before Gabe Bressler scored on a 39-yard run around the right side.  Bressler had earlier set up the TD when he caught an 11-yard pass to get on the Paraclete side of the 50.  Bressler ended the game with a total of 77 yards on eight carries.

The final score of the game was a field goal from the 16 by Stafan Wulf.  The Braves finished with 168 yards rushing and 11 yards passing.  Paraclete, who just had 99 yards rushing, was severley hampered by the defensive efforts of Alek Taliulu, who logged six assisted and three unassisted tackles.  Anthony Rodfiguez made five assisted tackles and two unassisted.

The BRaves are scheduled to travel to Foothill this Friday.  Game time is at 5pm.

Two-Year JV runningback Gabe Bressler (34) had a good game against Paraclete, taking advantage of key blockers en route to the endzone

Nick Engraf (70) and Alek Taliulu (44) plow the road block to try and get to the Spirit ball carrier

Geo Lopez runs for big yardage against Paraclete in the first-half.  Lopez would leave the game with a wrist injury later in the contest.