MUCH TO WORK ON 

THE WEST VIKINGS LOOK SOLID HEADING INTO THEIR MATCH-UP WITH CLOVIS EAST

Posted 09-03-05

Overall the scrimmage between Tehachapi and West didn’t bring out too many positives for the visiting Warriors…there is still much to work on before the season opener this Friday against Compton.

If you wanted to keep track of the scoring, West reached paydirt on their first series, twice on their second, and once on their third.  In retrospect, Tehachapi did mount a nice drive in their fourth and final series, capping it with a 24 yard touchdown run by Zac Schlais.

Overall score, 5-1.  Ouch, not good.

It’s good for West however, a close match against Tehachapi probably would have spelled certain doom for their next contest this Friday when they play host to one of the Central Valley's best teams in Clovis East.  After a sound showing against Mountain Football, the Timberwolves will undoubtedly have to take the Vikings seriously….not overlooking their first game opponent to future games with Midland-Texas and Anchorage.

Some of the highlights of the night for the Tehachapi offense included a 49 yard run by Robert Wright on Tehachapi’s first play of the 1^st series.  #21’s run brought Tehachapi all the way down to the 16 yard line, which eventually stalled on a goal line stand by the stout West defense.  Also on the first series was fine route running and a near-miss TD catch by Mike Barboa, which undoubtedly shouldn’t be a problem for #45 as the season wears on.

Also impressive was Tehachapi’s ability to bowl over the middle on plays within all series.  Schlais and Taliulu appear to be poised to be a nice bulldozing punch when Tehachapi reaches the red zone….which something Tehachapi hasn’t had legitimately since the graduation of Dustin McBride five years ago.  To the Warriors defense, many of the goal line plays were pass-options, with the coaching staff electing to let second-year QB Tyler Hansen get some work in with his receivers.

Tehachapi did win the turnover battle and trench fight on numerous occasions in the game, with Eric Tercy recovering one of three fumbles and EJ Muro even logging in an interception against West on the Viking’s second series.

Zac Schlais’s touchdown run was the final offensive play for the Warriors before the scrimmage was called.

	Long time announcer Jim Grecian has decided to hang up the mike after 26 seasons announcing Warrior football games.  Mayor Pro-Tem and avid Warrior football contributor Ed Grimes will take his place as the main announcer this season, with the spotter still to be determined.  Al Mainord is expected to be back in the both this season as well.  Thank you Jim for all of the great memories over these past many seasons!
	The Warriors GREEN SEAT meeting will be this Tuesday, Sep-6, at the North Snack Bar.  If you are interested in becoming a booster club member and logging in your seats, you must be present at the meeting.  See you there!  Each green seat will be $10 a piece after registering as a club member.
	Tehachapi Warriors (0-0) vs Compton Tarbabes (1-0) When Mountain Football fans come to Coy Burnett Field this Friday night, the indication might initially be that South-Bakersfield is in town if you catch a glance over at the uniform colors (turquoise and white) of the opponent.  While the look may be eerily similar, the school and mascot are not, with Tehachapi scheduling their first-ever meeting with the Compton – Los Angeles Tarbabes. Tonight's game marks the first game of the season for the Warriors, while it's game 2 for the visiting Compton Tarbabes. Compton enters the game with a 1-0 record after dispatching Norwalk in their opener last week, 37-27.  The Tartars used an impressive ground game to outmatch the Lancers, piling up 354 yards rushing in the win. In 2004, the Tarbabes were a team that required the services of seven sophomores and a freshman at key positions…with that experience coming back translating into a 1-0 record this season. The Tarbabes hope to improve upon their unblemished start with Junior #4 Demetrius Johnson at QB and the duo of #21 Lamar Chapman and #8 O'Neal Boatner in the backfield.  Boetner led all runners in last weeks win over Norwalk with 197 yards rushing on 10 carries, while Chapman chipped in with 84 on four touches. On defense, Compton hopes to have strong efforts from free safety #6 Mika O'Neal returning linebacker  #3 Eddie Bledsoe, who both lead the team in double-digit tackles and assists last week.  #1 Ray Chapman is another speed threat for the Tarbabes in the secondary. Tehachapi will attempt to win their first game of the year after falling short the last two seasons in losses to Burroughs 34-28 in 2003 and 47-13 in 2004.
	If for some reason you may have missed it...here is the 2005 early-bird breakdown on each of Tehachapi's 10 regular season opponents!  For analysis of each team, click on the link in each cell under the column "opponenIt". (Click On Individual Opponent For Pre-Game Summary) DATE OPPONENT 2004 RECORD Sept 9 Compton (Los Angeles) 0-10 (0-6 Moore League) Sept 17 @ Paraclete (Lancaster) 4-7 (2-2 Olympic League) Sept 23 Foothill (Bakersfield) 2-8 (1-4 SEYL) Sept 30 @ Stockdale (Bakersfield) 12-1 (5-0 SWYL) Oct 7 Garces (Bakersfield) 2-9 (1-4 SEYL) Oct 14 @ Wasco 4-6 (1-4 SSL) Oct 21 Taft 9-2 (5-0 SSL) Oct 28 @ Arvin 7-4 (3-2 SSL) Nov 4 @ Shafter 4-7 (1-4 SSL) Nov 11 Golden Valley (Bakersfield) 2-11 (1-4 SSL)
	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.
	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!

Questions?  Concerns?  Corrections?  Send Tom Shea an email, he'd like to hear from you.