INDIANS CLINCH AT LEAST SHARE OF SSL TITLE

THE TEHACHAPI NEWS - If the term ‘catch-22’ needed a poster child for marquee display, look no further than the Indians’ #22 Adam Mullen.

Many opponents have tried this year in league play, but none have seemed to find an answer to stop the allusive Tehachapi (7-1; 4-0 SSL) backfield threat, with Mullen again electrifying the crowd with jaw-dropping moves to help lead the Indians to at least a share of the SSL title in a 36-6 victory over the Shafter Bucks.

For the third straight week, Mullen utilized his field presence to eluded tacklers for 30 yard touchdown reception on a fourth-and-20 situation in the second quarter, a play that had the Tehachapi back squirt through a host of Buck tacklers at the 25 yard line and reverse field to outrace any other would-be tacklers for the fourth Indian score of the game.

While Mullen may have helped seal the win, it was a host of other Indians that helped put the game away early and give Tehachapi at least a share of the title heading into the final week of league play.

Tehachapi scored on four of their first five possessions against the Bucks, with Josh Strauss connecting on two scoring runs and Angelo Loli on a second-half three-yard run to lead the offensive attack.

The Indians began their first drive at their own 15-yard line, and needed only four plays to march all the way down to the Shafter 11-yard line, where Josh Strauss connected for the first touchdown of the game with 5:16 remaining in the first quarter. Mullen would tack on the two point conversion run for the 8-0 lead. 

Tehachapi would score on their next possession when Neal Herman intercepted a pass deep in Shafter territory, taking the pigskin all the way down to the 10-yard line of Shafter. Strauss would need only one play to connect on the touchdown, adding the PAT conversion in addition to the run for the 15-0 Indian advantage.

Mullen added the third touchdown of the first half on a 30-yard touchdown catch, with Strauss booting through the PAT to put Tehachapi up after two quarters, 23-0.

Sitting on a comfortable lead at the start of the second half, the Tehachapi offense stayed aggressive, with Garrett Coontz hauling in a 38-yard reception on Tehachapi’s first series of the third quarter, bringing the ball all the way down to the Shafter 14-yard line. Austin Podratz would then rumble for an 11-yard run, and Angelo Loli would cap the drive with a three-yard score at the 8:15 mark to put the game away for good. Podratz would also connect on the PAT for the 29-0 Tehachapi lead.

Shafter would answer Tehachapi’s fourth touchdown with one of their own, but the Indians would have the last score in the game when Podratz scored on a 10-yard run late in the fourth quarter, thanks to an Armando Salcido 44-yard run early in the drive.  Podratz would again connect on the PAT for the final count of 36-6.

Indians Quarterback Kurtis Knudson connected on five passes in the contest for 127 yards and a touchdown, while Armando Salcido led the rushing attack with 67 yards on five carries. Josh Strauss and Austin Podratz would both have two TD’s in the game, combining for 107 yards on 13 attempts combined to contribute to the rushing onslaught.

On defense, Jason Hail led the team with seven tackles, while Strauss, Mullen, and Coontz each added five. Kevin Ruiz, Michael McCann, Vincent Ortiz, Dominic Chaveria, Franky Rodriguez, and Eric Harroun each had four tackles in the contest, while Chaveria and Dan Rakowski recorded sacks and Herman and Ruiz turnover recoveries.

The Indians can win the SSL title outright this Wednesday at home against the Golden Valley Bulldogs. Kickoff is set to start at 5pm.