PART FOUR:  AN EARLY-BIRD LOOK AT NEXT YEAR'S SCHEDULE

 
Posted 03-07-04

THE 2004 TEHACHAPI WARRIORS

This weekly warrior is the fourth (and final part) of a four part series highlighting Tehachapi’s opponents for 2004 and what the Warriors will have at their disposal for the new season next fall.  In this addition, we'll focus on the the Warriors themselves, who has the potential to come back...and who has a chance to make an immediate impact on the 2004 varsity prep-scene.

The Tehachapi Warriors should be young across the board in their starting lineup next season, but don’t think that a young team out the gate will equate to a rebuilding year.  In many positions, the Mountain Men will have some of the greatest depth they have enjoyed in their history.  Below is a breakdown of who could fill some of the gaps and make a claim for Warrior success next year.  One thing is for sure, there will be a ton of depth for Tehachapi in 2004….with undoubtedly some players not mentioned here having the potential to contribute next season.

I do wish to stress to all fans, parents, and players reading this...it is just a basic (and far from perfect) overall look at the Warrior players coming back and moving up, and it in no way reflects the opinion of the Tehachapi football coaching staff or who they will select for playing time at each respective position.  If a particular player is missed in the outlook below, email me and tell me about the player and what they bring to the table for next season...always happy to hear about (and mention) the achievements of our Warriors. 

Remember, this is just for fun...

 OFFENSE

Offensive Line:  Returning starters Trenton Pera (Sr) and Ralph Curiel (Jr) should be a lock to solidify the bookends of the offensive line, while Greg Harrod (Sr), Jose Peludio (Sr), and Chris Dockery (Sr) will look to continue their success from the junior varsity squad in the middle of the mass.  Junior Varsity standouts Levi Kersteins (Jr), Joe Smith (Jr), Kris Morton (Jr), Travis Pull (Jr), and Tommy O’Brien (Jr) should also vie for significant playing time up front, while returning Warrior Isaac Saavedra (Sr) could crack into the lineup with a good off-season.  There is a significant amount of talent in this position for Tehachapi, which should make the running lanes wide for the wingbacks and fullbacks for 2004.  These positions should be some of the most competitive in the off-season, and even some players not even mentioned here could seep their way into the fold before it’s all said and done.

Tight Ends:  Watch out Warrior fans, Tehachapi should have two of the league’s best in 2004.  Depending on who gets more of the playing time, Mike Papac (Jr) and Mike Barboa (Jr) will make sure that the blocking lanes are neutralized and provide another receiving weapon for the quarterbacks.  Papac led the varsity team last year in receptions (9) and receiving yards (143), and will be joined with one of the most talented offensive threats to come up from the junior varsity ranks in Barboa, who was a consistent favorite target of Tyler Hansen in the Braves 9-1 SSL title season.

Pardon me...Excuse me:  Returning Warriors' Mike Papac (85) and Trenton Pera (77) get help from senior Sam Tyner (8) in the running game against Delano in 2003.

Quarterbacks:  This will be a very interesting position to watch for Tehachapi next fall.  If tradition holds true, the Warrior coaching staff should give Troy Royer (Sr) the nod once the season kicks off.  However, don’t be too shocked if Tyler Hansen (Jr) gets some snaps as the season wears on.  Hansen has shown some fantastic ability in his two years in uniform in the underclassmen ranks, and would benefit greatly from extended playing time in varsity action in his junior year.  Many of the targets that Tehachapi will have at wideout are familiar with Hansen’s arm, which can only help the Warriors in their bid to revive their passing attack.  Whatever happens here, one thing Tehachapi will have is depth and the ability to move the football through the air, something they have not been able to do since the graduation of All-SSL QB Jerad Romo in 2001.  Matt Dalmas (Jr) will also look to provide some depth for Tehachapi, while Brad Taylor (So) could also get the opportunity to move up should the coaching staff elect to do so.

Bomb's Away:  Brave Quarterback Tyler Hansen was a force for the Tehachapi sophomore class in 2003, and will look to balance out the Warrior attack with a solid passing game the next two seasons.

Wide Receivers:  David Gonzalez (Sr) should lock up one of the positions based on his experience, with the only wideout returning that has seen extended varsity playing time.  Upcoming Warriors EJ Muro (Jr) and Mason McGlauglin (Jr) should also find their way into the secondary for some receptions next season, with Muro some-what of a hybrid with his ability to run the football as well.  Should the coaching staff elect, a very talented prospect in Vincent Saavedra (So) is also at their disposal, and could be a great threat on the outside for the Warrior quarterbacks.  Saavedra torched the freshmen football ranks with 9 receiving touchdowns, and was a consistent favorite target of frosh QB Brad Taylor.

Wingback:  Some central section analysis's think I’m crazy for saying this, but as good as Tehachapi’s line should be the next couple of years, the Warriors shouldn’t miss a beat in the running lanes in Robert Wright (Jr)...even after the departure of 2,000 yard back Tanner Hutchinson.  Wright, the younger brother of 2002-2003 wingback Mike Wright, has a knack to find the open lanes much like a Hutchinson, and has a propensity to find the endzone. 

Along with Wright, the wingback position will have some depth this year, with returner’s Ceasar Gonzalez (Sr) and Marcos Coates (Jr) coming back, while JV standouts James Esparza (Jr) and Gabe Bressler (Jr) should see significant touches in addition to their senior counterparts.

Fullback:  Sean Finley (Sr) should get the most reps of any runner in 2004 when it’s all said and done, or at least a close second behind Robert Wright (Jr).  Finley should give way in some carries to Mike Faulkner (Sr), Dan Haycock (Sr), along with Paul Abarquez (Jr) and Eric Tercy (Jr), two mainstays for the Junior Varsity in 2003.  Lance Lange (Jr), younger brother of Warrior alum’s Ryan and Josh, missed most of the 2003 season with a hip injury, and it is unknown if he will play next season.  If he does, that will provide yet another weapon for the talent-ridden Warrior running arsenal.

Kickers:  Jason Pezzillo (Jr) should see some action in the Warriors extra point attempts, while Dan Haycock (Sr) could fine his way on the field during punting and kickoff duties.  In another call-to-arms for the Warrior coaching staff, Vincent Saavedra (So) probably had the best leg last year in the underclassmen ranks, and could potentially be brought up on his kicking ability as well as his receiving talents.

  DEFENSE

Defensive Back:  If Tyler Hansen (Jr) loses his bid at quarterback, you can bet the house that the Warrior coaching staff will put this talented player in one of the two safety positions.  EJ Muro (Jr) should be a lock for the other safety spot, while Aaron Boileau (Jr) will assuredly find his way into the fold in the secondary somewhere.  Returning starter David Gonzalez (Sr) should be a solid leader for this young bunch, having experience in 2003 against talented wideouts Anthony Celestine (Burroughs), Aaron Harlen (Taft), and Chris Ballard (Wasco).  Brad Taylor (So) could also be brought up from the junior varsity ranks as a defensive back, but JV Head Coach Ryan Grimes might trump that move if Taylor's QB services are needed on the sophomore level.

Linebacker:  For the Warriors to have success in their tough pre-season schedule, some linebackers flying to the backfield is a necessity.  Well Warrior fans, wish granted.  Sean Finley (Sr) should be the guarantee of the year as a two-way starter with one of his positions at LB (assuming he's not on the front line on defense), while 1^st Team SSL selection Mike Faulkner should assist Finley in stopping backfield threats in 2004 like Garces’ Braxton Tarver and Stockdales’ Francis Ojukwu.  Zack Shalais (Jr), James Fowler (Jr), Paul Abarquez (Jr), and Eric Tercy (Jr) should also be in the mix for linebacking duties if their underclassmen performances can carry through to the varsity scene.

click...click...BOOM:  Sean Finley (32) and Dan Haycock (40)  plow the Yosemite Offensive Line in the 2003 CIF Championship

Defensive Line:  ALL-SSL consideration Dan Haycock (Sr) is back for action in 2004, while talented bookends Jake Smith (Jr) and Matt Deager (Jr) will look to breakdown the offensive front at the defensive end positions.  Also look for Chad Johnson (Jr), Kris Morton (Jr), Mike Barboa (Jr), and Levi Kersteins (Jr) to make some noise here during the course of the year.  Depending on how solidified the linebacking corps is, you might even see Sean Finley line up on the end position as well, after a successful outing as a hybrid-defensive end in '03.  Wherever Finley plays, the opposition should find him very difficult to contend with. 

The next weekly warrior (April) will highlight some of our Warriors in some all-star games around the valley, along with a pre-look at the Golden State Wing-T camp, which in preliminary talks is set to be hosted by Tehachapi for a second straight year.  Be sure to check out Part One, Part Two, or Part Three of this series if you missed those articles posted earlier this year.

	Want to know how Tehachapi ended up in the state rankings?  Well, calhisports.com announced that ever-important stat....with the Warriors ending their year at #8 overall in the state in Division III.  Tehachapi did not break into the State-Overall Top 50, but a #8 ranking in their school-size division is still commendable.  For the umpteenth straight year, Concord De La Salle finished the season as California's overall #1 team. California Division III Top 25 Final State Rankings (pre-season rank in parenthesis) 1. (4) Miramonte (Orinda) 12-1 2. (nr) Paradise 13-0 3. (2) Colfax 12-1 4. (3) Lompoc 11-2 5. (1) La Habra 10-3 6. (nr) St. Augustine (San Diego) 10-3 7. (10) Oakdale 12-1 8. (nr) Tehachapi 10-3 9. (nr) Fullerton 11-2 10. (nr) San Mateo 11-2 11. (nr) Morningside (Inglewood) 12-2 12. (nr) Bear River (Lake of the Pines) 8-4 13. (nr) Foothill (Sacramento) 11-1 14. (nr) St. Joseph (Santa Maria) 9-4 15. (nr) Crespi (Encino) 10-2 16. (nr) Rio Linda 9-3 17. (nr) San Lorenzo 10-3 18. (nr) Campolindo (Moraga) 10-2 19. (5) Serra (Gardena) 9-4 20. (6) Culver City 9-2-1 21. (14) Yosemite (Oakhurst) 11-2 22. (nr) Sonora 9-2 23. (nr) Washington (Easton) 11-1 24. (nr) Crawford (San Diego) 11-1 25. (8) Oakmont (Roseville) 7-4
	A big time congratulations goes out to Tanner Hutchinson, who was selected by calhisports.com to the California Division III All-State Team.  The honor is the first time since Eric Young's vote in 1992 and Rodney Michael in 1998 that a Tehachapi Warrior received such an honor...way to go Tanner!  Recognition was also attained by Landon McCray, who was selected to the 'first team multipurpose' category, while Yosemite's Burke Wardle (LB) and Jake Dodderidge (WR) were honored on the All-State Second Team defense. First Team Offense WR -- Michael Bumpus (Culver City) 6-0, 175, Sr. TE -- Darren Fells (Fullerton) 6-7, 245, Sr. OL -- Tony Lee (Serra, Gardena) 6-5, 250, Sr. OL -- Andy Levitre (San Lorenzo Valley, Felton) 6-5, 330, Sr. OL -- Chris Pita (Aragon, San Mateo) 6-3, 300, Jr. OL -- Ben Quick (University, San Diego) 6-3, 285, Sr. OL -- Mike Tepper (Pacifica, Garden Grove) 6-6, 300, Sr. QB -- Taylor Humphrey (Miramonte, Orinda) 6-0, 200, Sr. RB -- Tanner Hutchinson (Tehachapi) 6-0, 185, Sr. RB -- Toke Kefu (San Mateo) 5-9, 185, Sr. RB -- Anthony Matagi (Los Amigos, Fountain Valley) 5-9, 185, Sr. K -- Jordan Congdon (St. Augustine, San Diego) 5-10, 165, Jr.
	Along with the loss of Shafter Head Coach Erich Smith and Wasco's head man Joey Tamayo, the SSL took another blow when perennial league-contender Taft lost their head-man Tim Mash in an announcement made in early February.  Coach Mash led the wildcats to a 28-17 overall record and a 14-8 mark in league play.  Some of his shining moments as a coach was the 35-34 victory over Tehachapi in the 2000 season to help Taft clinch a three-way share for the league title, and a 2002 CIF opening round playoff victory over Dos Palos, 29-27.  Mash will leave the Taft football program with a huge void to fill.  In an exclusive story with Taft's Midway Driller, Mash told sports editor Sarah Mitchell that "Taft High was a great place to work. Our facilities are the best I have seen during my many years of teaching. Our faculty and administration are dedicated to the success of each of our students, and they truly want Taft High to be successful in both academics and extra curricular activities.  I have thoroughly enjoyed my teaching and coaching experiences during my tenure here."
	The season is officially over for the Men's Basketball team, with the final standings sitting at 16-13 (7-3 SSL).  Tehachapi earned a semifinal berth after a blowout victory over Sierra, 80-65 in the first round of the CIF playoffs and a thrilling 61-60 win over Hanford West in the quarterfinals.  If you would like to see an in-depth look at the Men's Basketball team's stats and players, you can see a game-by-game analysis and more by clicking here.  In junior varsity action, Head Coach Bruce Schkade helped guide the Braves to a co-SSL championship with Garces, finishing their league run at 8-2. On the women's side, the Lady Warriors turned in one of the greatest seasons in Tehachapi High Basketball history with a 23-5 (10-0 SSL) mark.  The lady's knocked off their quarterfinal opponent (Hanford) in the Division III playoffs 50-42, but suffered a 16-6 surge by Yosemite in the semi's to fall to the the Badgers in the semi's, 50-49.  Pictures, statistics, game-by-game results, and more can be found on the Lady Warriors' season by clicking here. Congrats to both teams on Division III semifinal berths and a solid season of roundball!

	A big congratulations goes out to the Tehachapi Warrior Mat-Men, who were just 2.5 points shy of getting the SSL team title in wrestling.  Strength in numbers proved to be the difference in Tehachapi's bid this year with a surprising second place finish even though only two Tehachapi wrestlers' won their weight class.  In the 132 lbs. final, Joaquin Balasse overtook Shafter's Carlos Snyder to win the championship, while Justin Clenard bested Shafter's Ronald Lockadoo at 162 lbs. for the other title.  Balasse also had a great showing at the Central Section Grand Masters Tournament, placing 5th to earn a spot in the state tournament in Bakersfield.  Mat Man:  Joaquin Balasse, Tehachapi's representative in the State Wrestling Tourney in Bakersfield At the state tournament, Balasse competed in the 130lbs weight class, losing his first round match to David Christian of San Ramon, and coming up on the short-end of a nail-biter against Adin Duenas from Gilroy, 5-4, in the consolation pigtail bracket.  Congratulations Balasse and the rest of the Warriors on a season to remember...
	The Warrior sports teams enjoyed their most successful all-around school-performances in the winter season, with successful outings by the Wrestling and Men's and Women's Basketball teams...but another group that is just as worthy of praise is the Lady Warrior soccer team.  Tehachapi finished their season with a 20-6-1 (8-1-1 SSL) mark, achieving a Sequoia-Large Division semifinal appearance and a 2nd place SSL mark.  Great job on the pitch, girls!
	Still much more Tehachapi Warrior action to come as the year wears on...be sure to come back frequently to get up to speed on all the analysis and highlights, GO WARRIORS!