KEEPING TRADITION   Tehachapi and Burroughs are both ready to get first 'W' of year

=

OFFENSIVE JUGGERNAUT - Burroughs QB Karsten Sween (QB shown with ball) may no longer be orchestrating the Burro symphony, but players like Sween have established a solid foundation...making Burroughs a force to be reckoned with across the South Valley.

Posted 09-02-06

TEHACHAPI NEWS - When you want to talk offensive statistics from a prep-football team, virtually no team in the state (or the nation for that matter) can match up to the prolific accomplishments of the Burroughs-Ridgecrest machine.

This is a fact Tehachapi knows all-too well, after Burroughs torched Tehachapi for 214 passing yards and 34 points in the Mountain Football 2003 CIF championship season. One year later in 2004, Burroughs did it again in a 47-13 blowout win with a 352 yard passing performance by now-Wyoming Division I quarterback Karsten Sween.

This Friday night, Tehachapi is essentially facing a Ridgecrest program that has come of age, winning the Division VIII Southern Section CIF title last season.

A look at the numbers from the Burros of seasons past.  2003:  Karsten Sween (244 completions, 3,762 yards, 40 touchdowns), Anthony Celestine (100 catches, 2,053 yards, 24 touchdowns), Matt Williams (112 rushes, 1,162 yards, 16 touchdowns. 2004: Karsten Sween (264 completions, 4,345 yards, 46 touchdowns), Hayo Carpetnter (76 catches, 1,456 yards, 16 touchdowns), Ethan Cubit (68 catches, 1,110 yards, 16 touchdowns). 2005:  David LaFromboise (222 completions, 3,092 yards, 33 touchdowns), Hayo Carpenter (111 catches, 1,780 yards, 24 touchdowns), Anthony Williams (215 rushes, 1,820 yards, 20 touchdowns).

Are you kidding me?

While the past is notable for Mountain Football’s opponent this week, thankfully all names mentioned above have graduated.

That being said however, the foundation of a very strong tradition has been laid and first-year head coach and 12-year Burroughs coaching veteran Chad Stoner fully intends to do all he can to keep the baton of a prominent program moving.

THE LAST TIME... - The last trip to Ridgecrest was not a pleasant one for Mountain Football after being handed a 47-13 loss and complete and utter exploitation through the passing game.

Burroughs, who will be led by a host of new-look players like Quarterback (#8) Troy Spargo, will look to fill some holes from a host of key players that have departed from a strong senior class.

Ridgecrest will still have four and five wideout sets in tune when they face Tehachapi this Friday night. While those receivers may not be Anthony Celestine, Ethan Cubit, or Hayo Carpenter, if Tehachapi fails to match up in the secondary with the Burro catching artillery it could spell for a long night for the Warrior defense.  The key to the game will be Tehachapi’s ability to put a heavy pressure on Spargo and force the quick pass. If Spargo gets time, it could mean six points in a blink of an eye.

On defense, Burroughs runs a comprehensive blitz and stunt package, which may rule in Tehachapi’s favor if the Warriors can run their wing-t ball handling deception effectively. In 2002, Tehachapi won their game against Ridgecrest with ball control, and will need to mirror that effort again to pull out a win.

Back for Burroughs are a handful of strong players from last year, highlighted by (#12) Luis Tejada, who was an All-CIF kicker last season and can boot field goals consistently from 40+ yards out. Also back is (#10) Ben Tankersley, who was a main-stay on the Burros frontline last year with 61 total tackles. (#2) Ben Teasley is also expected to get a lot of looks on offense, after posting 209 total yards catching and rushing last season.

Tehachapi will look to rebound this week after a 33-7 loss to Garces in the home opener two Fridays back, and Burroughs will also be looking to turn the corner on the year after losing big to Eagleton Colorado 55-20 last Friday night in Fullerton.

This week, it will be a battle of traditions that will look to make their first mark on the new season.

Hit and Fly!

MOUNTAIN MEDIA VIDEO Game-By-Game Video Highlights

	A big congraulations goes out to Tehachapi alum Sarah Warner, who was the high stat-scorer on the evening for Cal State Bakersfield with 18 kills and 12 digs in a 30-25, 30-20, 30-28 victory over Cal State Dominguez Hills.  Warner will be joined by current Tehachapi Warrior Lauren Shacklock next year when CSUB begins their full Division-I transition.  Congrats to Sarah for tearing up the gym against the Torros!
	If you get a chance check out (or even contribute) to the thswarriors.com open forum!  There's a great recent story by Sal Murguia, a former All-SSL defensive back that was the '92 team MVP and honoree for the thswarriors.com All-90's first team squad.
	Be sure to tune in next weekend for analysis on Burroughs!  For a brief history of each of the games that the Warriors and Burros have played each other, click here.  You can also view 2004 Weekly Warrior analysis and 2005 game stats of the last meeting between these two teams.
	Be sure to tune in frequently to get the latest new, highlights, and commentary!  Be sure to check out the Central Valley Sports chat room forum at some point this year...and don't forget to follow statistical highlights on all Warrior sports on maxpreps.  On maxpreps, a link to each Tehachapi sport can be found by scrolling on the left-hand side of the page.  Thanks to all of you for logging in and supporting Tehachapi High School Warrior athletics!  Keep loging on to this page throughout the season for highlights and commentary!

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