INDIANS FELL TIGERS IN SSL OPENER, 36-24

TEHACHAPI NEWS - When Wasco went 65 yards on their first series to take an early 6-0 lead over Tehachapi, early indications were showing that it might be a long afternoon for the freshman team.

In the end, it was Wasco that was feeling the dejection as Tehachapi (4-1; 1-0 SSL) out-scored the Tigers 36-12 (3-2; 0-1 SSL) the rest of the way to take a 36-24 win in the first league game for both teams.

On Tehachapi’s first possession of the contest, the Indians wasted no time in answering the Tiger score with a 65-yard drive of their own, highlighted by a 29-yard catch by Garrett Coontz to give Tehachapi a first-and-goal at the Tiger three yard line. Adam Mullen would punch in the score from three yards out, with Josh Strauss tacking on the two-point run to put the Indians up, 8-6.

The Indians would go on to score on their next two drives, both Mullen touchdowns of 13 and 7 yards respectively, to put away the game early. Strauss would again bowl through the Tiger line on the two-point tries to put the Indians in a comfortable 24-6 lead.

Tehachapi’s next touchdown would come mid-way through the third quarter, where Strauss would reel off a 15 yard run to put Tehachapi points on the board for the fourth time. Mullen would score his fourth touchdown of the game from a yard out, giving Tehachapi a 30-12 lead.

In the fourth quarter, Wasco would answer the Tehachapi score with a 52-yard run to make the game count 30-18, but Armando Salcido would squelch any Tiger momentum on the ensuing kickoff with an impressive onside recovery at the Wasco 48-yard line. Strauss would go on to put the dagger in the coffin on the drive with a 25-yard scoring run for Tehachapi’s final TD on the afternoon.

Wasco would score with 0.4 seconds left in the game for the final tally of 36-24.

On offense, Strauss was the leading rusher with 104 yards on 15 carries, with Mullen close behind with 80 yards on 12 attempts. Indian QB Kurtis Knudsen was 3-6 for 51 yards, hitting Coontz for two passes of 29 and 17 yards and Bert Hall for a five-yard catch.

Tehachapi led a strong defensive charge in the game with Strauss leading in the tackle column with 11 take-downs, followed by Mullen with 10, Coontz with nine, and Jason Hail with five. Franky Rodriguez, Josh Camedy, Dominic Chaveria, Matt Salas, and Armando Salcido would each record four tackles.

The Indians will face off with the Taft Wildcats this Thursday. Kickoff for the game will be at Coy Burnett field at 5pm.