(#21) Robert Wright and (#1) EJ Muro have been the workhorses for the Tehachapi ground game all season, which also features talented play from Braves runners (#32) Paul Abarquez, (#42) James Fowler, (#40) Zack Schlais, (#20) James Esparza, and (#33) Gabe Bressler.  A steady passing game led by (#16) Tyler Hansen also was a welcome addition to the Braves arsenal, which featured open targets in (#45) Michael Barboa, (#85) Matt Deger, and (#6) Lance Lange, along with a host of other Braves.

In some other key positions on the offense and defensive front, (#2) Robert Post, (#52) Chad Johnson, (#61) Kris Morton, (#68) Travis Pull, (#71) Levi Kerstiens, (#72) Joe Smith, (#38) Aaron Boileau, and (#81) Jake Smith consistently turned in big games for the 2003 Braves, and will look to help the Warriors in their bid for a second straight SSL title in 2004!

This is the second straight title for the Braves, with now-assistant Dennis Costa guiding Tehachapi to a title in 2002.  This season, former Warrior Quarterback Ryan Grimes took the helm as Head Coach with Vince McGlauglin, Luke Schneider, and Dennis Costa as assistants.

The Braves finish the year with a 9-1 (5-0 SSL) mark...including the best performance of the year against arch-rival Garces, 43-8.  Congratulations to the Braves!

BRAVES WIN SSL TITLE!

Brave Quarterback Tyler Hansen drops back for a pass in the week 9 match-up with Shafter.  Hansen would go on to help guide the Tehachapi sophomore class to their eighth win of the season and the SSL title.

SHAFTER - The Tehachapi JV Braves clinched the SSL title on Friday by beating Shafter 18-6 on a rain soaked field to bring their record to 4-0 in SSL play and 8-1 overall.

Tehachapi scored on their first offensive play from scrimmage on a 45 yd touchdown by Gabe Bressler.  The extra point was blocked, but the Braves were up early, 6-0.

Shafter ran the ensuing kickoff back for a touchdown to answer the Braves’ score, but Tehachapi would control the remainder of the half on the ground, with Tyler Hansen adding another score with a 15 yard touchdown to EJ Muro to put Tehachapi up, 12-6.

The Braves would continue to control the clock and the game in the second half with a strong defensive performance and a ball control offense.

Defensive standouts for the Braves were Paul Abarquez, Levi Kerstiens, Zach Schlais, Chad Johnson and Matt Deger, and there were many other Braves’ that swarmed to the ball in the 12-point win.

The offense was led by Robert Wright, Bressler and EJ Muro who ran the ball with authority from a newly installed power I offense. Muro scored the final touchdown to put the game away on a 3 yd run.

Both teams struggled with the weather conditions, but the Braves defense was the difference, not allowing the Colonels to take advantage of turnovers committed by Tehachapi deep in their own territory.

The Braves have their final game next Friday at home against the Garces Ramblers, who were defeated 26-15 by Arvin in week 9.  Garces enters the game with Tehachapi with a 1-8 (1-3 SSL) record.

Above:  Action against the Shafter Colonels