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MULLEN HAS STELLAR GAME, BUT BRAVES FALL, 28-26
WHAT AN EFFORT...WHAT AN EFFORT - Coining the words of Tehachapi Football announcer and town Mayor Ed Grimes, Adam Mullen showed why he is one of the best sophomore runningbacks in the valley, torching the Stockdale Mustangs for 270 yards and four scores in a close 28-26 loss. Photo by www.stockdalefootball.com
TEHACHAPI NEWS - Adam Mullen had a night to remember for the Tehachapi Braves (3-1) in rushing, but in the end a personal foul penalty on the Braves final series of the night nullified a long run from scrimmage, and the Braves fell just short of defeating the Mustangs (3-1) at home, 28-26.
Mullen, playing inspiring football from the first snap to the last, tried to conserve as much energy as he could as the game wore on, digging deep within himself to finish the night with 270 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Down 14-0 early in the contest, Tehachapi reached paydirt for the first time on the afternoon when Adam Mullen raced 59 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. Dougan Patience would tack on the extra point to cut the lead in half, 14-7.
Stockdale answered the Braves on their next drive, taking a run 48 yards for a score and connecting on a two-point conversion for a 22-7 lead.
From there, Tehachapi answered with three more Mullen scores of 10, 5, and one-yard, to take the lead 26-22 late in the fourth quarter.
On Stockdale’s final push in the game, the Mustangs connected on a fourth and five with a slant pass deep in Tehachapi territory, eating away at the game clock before capping their run with a two-yard score to take the lead back from Tehachapi 28-26 with just over three minutes remaining.
Mullen almost reached the 300 yard rushing mark on the evening when he rumbled 34 yards to Stockdale territory on the Braves ensuing series, but a personal foul penalty away from the play nullified the effort and the Braves eventually fell after an interception on third and long.
Armando Salcido finished the game with 12 carries for 53 yards, and Kurtis Knudson and Justin Hansen combined for 23 yards passing and catching to couple Mullen’s outstanding effort.
On defense, Jason Hail led Tehachapi with five tackles, followed by Dominic Chavarria, Eric Harroun, and Damien Rodriguez with four tackles apiece. Cody Roebuck also recorded a quarterback sack.
Tehachapi will look to rebound this Friday against Roosevelt in Fresno at McLane High School at 5 p.m.
