Braves Shock Clovis-East

TEHACHAPI NEWS - They are the one of the most successful programs in the central valley. Arguably, they are probably the most efficient double-wing team in the nation.

The Clovis-East varsity program has beating the likes of Midland-Lee Texas, Hug-Reno Nevada, and East-Anchorage Alaska. The Timberwolves have even defeated Tehachapi 13-6 in the Division III playoffs with a senior-less team in 2001.

With all that, coupled with the bellowing of “our house” as Clovis-East entered Coy Burnett Field, the Braves held their own for four quarters against a confident opponent, and came out victorious with an 8-7 win.

“It was a big win for us, a morale booster more than anything,” said head coach Ryan Grimes. “The week before we were down after losing big to Stockdale. To come back and beat a team of this caliber, with their recent tradition, that just speaks volumes about our kids.”

The evening had all the making of being a long one for Tehachapi from the onset when Clovis-East took their first offensive play 67 yards for a touchdown and a quick 7-0 lead. Standout linebacker John Cramer was also forced out of action after the Braves’ first series on offense.

Despite the loss and the quick deficit, Tehachapi honed in quickly on the East vaunted offensive attack, and was able to force a turnover on downs on the Timerwolves next possession at the Tehachapi 24-yard line. Clovis-East had picked up five first downs before failing on a fourth down attempt.

The Braves’ Jason Hail thwarted the Timberwolves next three offensive series by recovering a fumble and recording four total tackles in the game.

The defensive stand was needed, with Tehachapi stymied most of the game on offense. But one drive proved to be the difference.

“In the huddle we knew their ‘backers were coming at us hard, but we were picking it up and the team looked confident,” added Grimes. “It was one drive, out last drive, to get back in the game. A lot of pressure.”

The fourth quarter touchdown for the Braves culminated four first downs overall in a 59-yard march. Facing a fourth and 7 on their own 10 yard line with less than three minutes to go, Tehachapi put their fate in the hands of Ryan Dalmas on one last chance to win the game.

On the snap, Dalmas took the pigskin and fanned to the left to avoid the rush. The Braves Chris Fimbres shed his defender and was open in the endzone, and Dalmas threw the pass to the diving wide-out for a touchdown.

The jubilant end was a culmination of a series that ate up most of the fourth quarter clock, and more importantly, bled Clovis East of all three of their timeouts in an effort to preserve time.

On the ensuing PAT and Tehachapi down 7-6, Dalmas took a boot-leg option and converted with a wide-open Matt Santos in the endzone for an 8-7 lead.

“The whole time I saw the ball in the air I was thinking don’t drop it, don’t drop it,” said Santos. “To catch it in that kind of situation was just amazing. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

A Jason Hail interception sealed Clovis-East’s fate with less than a minute to go, and Dalmas took a knee to close out the win.

Other standouts in the game included Zach Maravigili, who almost single-handedly paced the Tehachapi offense with 64 yards rushing and 63 yards receiving. Dalmas was 4-8 for 73 yards and a touchdown. Defensively Santos had six tackles, Austin Herman had five takedowns, while Hail, Fimbres, Luke Mears, Luke Papac, and Eric Erickson had multiple tackle nights.

“This is a great way to go into league,” Grimes said. “We have all the confidence in the world right now.”