|
ONE FOR THE AGES
Tehachapi vs. Taft lives up to hype, Warriors win 30-29 thriller
NEVER GIVE UP -
Tehachapi overcame a 21-6 lead to snatch
victory away from the visiting Wildcats.
Posted 10-22-05
For those that were witness to the remarkable game
this past Friday night against Tehachapi and Taft, I'm sure you're still
buzzing about it. For those that missed it, I'm sorry to say that
mere words cannot do justice on the great game that you missed.
Yep, it was that good.
I think with the departure of Garces, it's now
safe to say...fully...that a rivalry has been established between
Tehachapi and Taft. Others may have already been on board with the
idea, but I for one was not...until this game.
To be honest, I just didn't see how a rivalry
could be established when Tehachapi's underclassmen consistently rolled
through Taft's year-after-year. This season was no exception, with
Tehachapi's frosh winning 50-8 and the JV taking down a 5-1 Taft Bobcat
team, 25-7.
But, when you have Steve Sprague coaching a
varsity team, you can throw out past-season performances. I'm a
believer that he can win with just about any arsenal at his disposal.
So, as the rivalry goes, sign me up. I'm a
believer now. When you have varsity games like there have been for
the past 3-to-4 seasons, you can't ignore the magic. I might have
been doubting, but no more. I for one will be looking forward to
this game year after year!
This game really had it all. Momentum
shifts, high octane offense, and comeback drama.
For Tehachapi, having so many players hobbled
coming into this game...but still strapping up the helmet to hunker down
in this huge SSL match-up, that was absolutely amazing guys. You
personify what it means to play Tehachapi football....Mark Ricker would
be proud! (Actually, he probably is)
Even though Ben Estill was limited to under 100
yards rushing by game count, he still is as good as advertised.
The guy could lunge for three to four yards even if he is stopped at the
line of scrimmage. And, you got to hand it to Sprague to giving
the ball to the other talented backs, with Andrew Miller pulling off a
couple nice runs for scores in the first half.
An interesting note, the last time that Taft had "Oildorado"
(equivalent to Mountain Festival...only every five years), the winning
football team won in an offensive shootout in a one-point win (Taft
winning at home in 2000). Even more perplexing, the winning team
came back from a halftime deficit for the third straight year.
Facts that are statistical proof on the rivalry
born between Tehachapi and Taft.
For 2005, the SSL title now goes through Mountains
Football. And the Warriors EARNED it.
With the league title journey on route for
Tehachapi, I for one am already looking forward to next seasons meeting
with the Wildcats....
as I'm sure everyone else is too.
But for now, we can reflect on the game that
was...truly one for the ages between the Warriors and Wildcats.
Hit and Fly Warriors!
 |
Watch out for Golden Valley, folks. This SSL
title is far from being wrapped up. After a 57-15 drubbing over Shafter
another big SSL showdown looks to be only a few short weeks away. |
|
|
Be sure to check out the
Warriors
stat sheet
at the end of every weekend, which will have the latest and greatest on the
defensive and offensive statistics for mountain football. |
|
|
THSWARRIORS.com PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
This was a total team effort, start to finish. No one player took
the nod this week, this was a complete and total team effort, from the
sideline to the offense and defense. While it's best to recognize
the players week-to-week, we'll save individual accolades for another
game. This one belongs to everybody. Great job
Warriors...you crossed those T's!!
THE ENTIRE TEAM - PLAYERS OF THE
WEEK
|
|
|
SCOUTING REPORT:
Tehachapi Warriors (4-3; 2-0 SSL) @ Arvin Bears (3-4; 1-1 SSL)
Two league
games...two overtimes. That is what Arvin has had to endure so far
this season.
Drama this season has been Arvin's middle name,
but after an emotional league opening win over Shafter the Bears lost in
a heartbreaker this past week against Wasco, 17-14.
Overall, Arvin is considered one of the best
sportsmanship teams in the SSL. They are also a group of young men
that faces arguably the most adversity off the field, making them some
of the toughest competition on it, despite the record.
Arvin had one of the most explosive offenses last
season with some of the best talent in the valley at their disposal, but
gone is Hector Velasquez at runningback, Frankie Garza at wide receiver,
and Jose Tamayo at quarterback...three big stars in the SSL a season
ago.
However, Arvin has been able
to mount victories in the win column with a strong receiving game led by
#1 Miguel Venegas, who has caught 38 passes for 627 yards on the year
and seven touchdown receptions, top marks in the league even dispite the
strong passing game by Golden Valley. Thowring the ball to Venegas
is first-year starting Junior #10 Ernesto Lupercio, who had big shoes to
fill this season with Jose Tamayo gone. Lupercio has responded
though, already throwing for 746 yards on 55 completions this season,
firing for four touchdowns. #3 Alex Flores is another passing
threat for the Bears if he plays, leading the team in pass touchdowns
with five on 361 yards overall.
In the rushing department, #8
Julian Salinas has assumed the role as the main ground threat for Arvin,
with a 5.4 yard-per-carry average so far on the season with 351 rushing
yards amassed. #42 Francisco Tamayo is another backfield concern
with a team leading three touchdowns on the season.
On defense, Arvin boasts a
solid linebacking corp led by Tamayo, who leads the team with 43
tackles. Fellow 'backers #31 Maurillo Melgoza and #44 Jose Flores
are solid against the pass and run as well, having a combined 59 tackles
between them so far in 2005.
Tehachapi and
Arvin contests traditionally have been some of the hardest hitting on
the year, and this season should be no exception.
With an SSL lead to protect, it should promise to
be another entertaining week of smash-mouth football in Bear Country.
Tehachapi owns an overall 12-2 record over Arvin. For a brief history
of each of the games that the Warriors and Bears 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. |
|
Be sure to tune in each week to get the latest
new, highlights, and commentary! Thanks to all of you for logging
in and supporting Tehachapi High School Warrior athletics! |
Questions? Concerns?
Corrections? Send Tom Shea an
email,
he'd like to hear from you.
| 
