BRAVES DEMOLISH TAFT BOBCATS, 42-6

TEHACHAPI NEWS - Bressler, Bekker and Taliulu, not its not a legal firm, but they sure laid down the law Friday as the Tehachapi High School junior varsity football team defeated Taft 42-6. The trio of ball carriers accounted for 190 yards rushing, five touchdowns and two interceptions. Taliulu averaged 11 yards per carry, rushing for 67 yards in the game on six carries.

The Braves scored three times in the first half to ensure the victory with a 21-0 lead. Tehachapi added another 21 fourth-quarter points to overrule any objection the Wildcats may have raised when Taft ruined the possibility of a Braves' shutout when the Wildcats scored late in the third on a pass play.

The Braves improved their South Sequoia League record to 2-0 and 7-0 overall.

The Braves’ assault began with a 52-yard drive that Stefan Bekker finished off scoring on a 19-yard run with 3:24 remaining in the first quarter. Vincent Saavedra kicked the extra point, his first of six PATs on the evening, for a 6-0 lead. Bekker went to log two interceptions in the game and rushed for 40 yards.

In the second quarter, Gabe Bressler scored twice, the first on a 13-yard run at 6:02 to cap a 42-yard drive. Bressler added another six to the THS scoreboard four minutes later on a 10-yard run after a 65-yard drive. Saavadra added two PATs to put the Braves ahead 21-0 at the break.

Bressler scored his third TD of the night in the fourth on a three-yard run. He helped set up the TD with two runs of 23 and 21 yards to get into scoring position. Bressler finished as the Braves' leading rusher, logging 83 yards on 12 carries

The Braves defense then got in the scoring act with a 33-yard interception and touchdown by Bekker with 8:06 left on the clock. Lukas Harrington scored the final THS touchdown of the game with a three-yard run to cap a 35-yard drive in the final minute of the game. Saavedra kicked all three Pats in the fourth.

Defensively, Alek Taliulu finished with four tackles, AJ Meza was credited with two tackles, Brad Taylor logged four tackles and a pass deflection and Adam Greenwood led the Braves with six tackles and two pressures. Nick Engraf turned in a solid performance with three for the THS defense.

Taft was forced to punt six times in the game and had only 92 yards of total offense, including three turnovers. Tehachapi totaled 292 yards on offense.

The Braves are scheduled to host Arvin this Friday. Game time is 5 p.m.