On the season so far, it's either the two teams Tehachapi faced (West and Compton) are going to have solid seasons....or a long year could loom over Tehachapi and threaten the 'winning season' streak or even the playoff streak.

If the Warriors aren't careful, it could very well be the latter.

By in large, it was a frustrating week all the way around, starting in Compton when the JV Braves lost in a five-turnover shutout against a Tarbabe squad that featured a total of 16 players.

Yes, you heard that right...16 players.  Twelve-zip.

Mind you, some of those players are feature backs on the Compton varsity team, with a couple of the notables being Donnie Bobo and Stanley Wesley.

But...for the JV team, that was sure no way to end an 18-game winning streak.  Ironically, the last team to beat the Braves was a double-wing offense as well in Clovis East, a 14-0 shutout back in 2003.

But I digress, back to the Warriors.

On the stat sheet, not too bad.  258 yards rushing and 77 yards passing....335 yards overall.

But just like their JV counterparts...turnovers.

Too....many...turnovers.

Three fumbles.  Two Interceptions.

That my friends, will win you nada games.

This season is a bit of an anomaly so for for parents, fans, coaches, and especially the players.

The Warriors are comprised of a team that features players that went 19-1 at the junior varsity level.

What the heck happened?

Bottom line is...the 2005 Warriors still need time to gel...time to find themselves and trust each-other...play as a team.

While 335 yards of total offense might get the job done, the heart of Mountain Football is not in the stat sheet....it's in the humility of a unit that should operate as one heartbeat.

Maybe the local Tehachapi media....The Tehachapi News....thswarriors.com....need to apologize to the Warriors.  Annually, the Warriors are built up to be an indestructible presence in valley football, and maybe it's given the 2005 squad a lift in the clouds.

Time to come back down to earth now, Warriors. 

The baton has been passed from great players like Ernie Muro....Carroll Killingsworth....Erik Oberg....Eric Young....Kurt Liebengood...and Tanner Hutchinson.

It's your turn Warriors.

It's your time.

Practice hard, play like you practice.  Listen to the coaches. 

Don't let the early slump become a mid-season hole that could be to insurmountable to get out of.

Sitting at 0-1, it's time to focus, and grab your shovel.  Time to start digging.

	The loss to Compton was not the only blow the Warriors faced this past week, with All-Area honorable mention and 2004 1st Team SSL lineman Ralph Curiel going down with an injury after Robert Wright's fourth-down TD plunge in the fourth quarter.  The early diagnosis is a broken leg, but at last report Ralph and Marcos (Ralph's father) were going down to Bakersfield for an examination Saturday.  With Ralph out of the line-up, Tehachapi's scrum-leaders will be suspect this week if inactive player Chris Dockery is also out for the second straight week with a shoulder injury. Information on both Curiel and Dockery will be passed along as thswarriors.com hears information.
	THSWARRIORS.com PLAYERS OF THE WEEK Even though Tehachapi has had better weeks, two Warriors stood out from the crowd to post solid performances against the Tarbabes. On offense, Zac Shalais turned in the highest rushing yard total on the night by a Warrior, getting most of the pound-work done in the middle of the line-of-scrimmage.  Schlais ended up with 75 yards on 13 carries, while also stifling the Compton offense with a game high 11 tackles. #5 Zac Schlais and #64 Ralph Curiel - PLAYERS OF THE WEEK In addition to Schlais's performance, Ralph Curiel stepped up to the plate at his right tackle position and as a team captain for Tehachapi.  Barring the injury report, the Compton game could have potentially been the last time the talented lineman has suited up after two solid years of varsity action as a sophomore and junior.  Curiel has started on the line all three years he has played, so if the diagnosis turns out to be a season-ending injury...thank you Ralph for giving your heart and soul for Warrior football!  Not only on the field...but off it...being the main catalyst in the fundraising efforts for Tehachapi to purchase new uniforms this year. Congrats to Zac and Ralph, THSWARRIORS.com PLAYERS OF THE WEEK!
	Tehachapi Warriors (0-1) @ Paraclete Spirits (1-0) It was a forgettable season in 2004 for the Paraclete Spirits....even more so against the Warriors. Probably the thought that will be fresh in the minds of the returning Spirits from last season will be Sean Finley, who blasted Paraclete for a 268 yard, four TD rushing performace, helping to contribute to 434 yards of total offense and a 41-21 win. So far this season, Paraclete has played with a vengence, already logging in their first win on the year with a 40-12 drubbing over Desert. How good is Desert this year?  Not very.  But, the bigger question is, how good is Tehachapi?  Overall, Paraclete is led by Garrett James (#10), who in 2004 combined for 168 yards receiving and rushing last season and a receiving touchdown reception in a week three 35-28 win over Garces. As a senior this season, James has been a strong catalyst in helping Paraclete reel in more points in one game than any game last season. THE ONE-2-WATCH - Tehachapi will have to keep a close eye on returning utility-back Garrett James (#10) this season, who looks to be a key staple in this season's offense with the graduation of Cory James and Jonathon Lewis.  Also in the picture are returning Warriors EJ Muro (#1) and Chris Dockery (#71). Helping out James this year is a host of returning lineman from last season in  Thomas Diprima (#55), Jacob Dean (#57), Cory Yriarate (#74) and Joe Sullivan (#86), along with return specialist Jimmy Brousseau (#25), and Mike Ament (#32), Richie Rought (#17), and Taylor Levine (#39) on defense.  The Spirits are also hopeful that the knowledge of the Wing-T will help Kirk Antosh (#64), Kolton Kallas (#58) Jacob Dean on the defensive line help keep Tehachapi more in-check from 2004. Overall, Tehachapi may have the advantage on size, but never count out a Lyon-coached southern section team, especially one with a plenty of returning players that want to invoke revenge from the defensive performance over the Warriors from last season. This is the second year in a row that Tehachapi has played Paraclete.  For a brief history of each of the games that the Warriors and Spirits have played each other, click here.  You can also view 2004 Weekly Warrior analysis and 2004 game stats of the last meeting between these two teams.
	Think you can beat some of the valley’s best experts in picking the preps each week?  Test your mettle with some of the area’s elite at the Bakersfield Californian website.  Log in each week to cast your vote!
	There is a new home for Central Valley Prep football, with CVPreps now becoming CVHSPreps.com.  Check out the site when you get a chance...there's a new forum format that is more user friendly to check out...+ the usual chat with other prep-football fans from around the valley.
	Congrats to the 7-1-3 Tehachapi Varsity Volleyball team!  The ladies did lose their first game of the year to Bakersfield Christian last Wednesday…but BCHS is considered to have one of the best teams in the entire valley this year.  Optimism is high for a strong SSL finish…good luck this year girls!
	There will be more Weekly Warrior articles to come ONCE A WEEK...now that the season is OFFICIALLY HERE!!  Be sure to tune in to get the latest new, highlights, and commentary!  Thanks to all of you for logging in and supporting Tehachapi High School Warrior athletics!