BRAVES FALL TO COLONELS

THE TEHACHAPI NEWS - Tehachapi’s Paul Castro scored on a 35-yard run in the second quarter, but in the end the Shafter offense proved to be too much in a 32-6 loss for the Braves.

With the SSL title up for grabs, Shafter (4-0 SSL) in the end made the most plays to close out the showdown with Tehachapi (4-4-1; 3-1 SSL), scoring on quarterback options and executing bootleg pitch options to keep the Brave offense on the sideline.

With the score sitting at 16-0 in favor of the Colonels, Tehachapi scored on a 54-yard run at start of the second quarter, but the run was called back on a holding penalty.  The yellow laundry didn’t faze the Braves, with Paul Castro scoring on the same drive three plays later to account for the lone Tehachapi score in the contest.  Castro led all Tehachapi rushers with 69 yards on nine carries. Braves QB Justin Hansen connected on two pass completions for 26 yards in the game, both going to JJ Balkar.

On defense, Joey Montez led all players with 10 tackles and a fumble recovery, while Derek Lange, Tucker Kill, Matt Rousell, Steve Miller, Balkar, and Castro each had four tackles.

The Braves close out their season this week against Golden Valley, a Thursday game that is slated to start at 5pm.