2011 Warriors
Coach Steve Denman goes over the intricacies of the wing-t offense at spring drills. The Warriors will go into next season
as the defending CIF Division II central section champions. Photo by Esther Duffy, The Tehachapi News.
Posted by Tom Shea, The Tehachapi News, on June 1, 2011 Breaking Gound on a Title Defense
Warriors Participate In Spring Football
In Preparation For 2011 Season
All year long, the Tehachapi community waits with great anticipation for Friday Night Lights.
The foundation for the upcoming season was on display these past few weeks at the high school, where the defending CIF Central Section Division II champion Warriors commenced with spring practice.
"It's good to get back into it. It's fun to see our guys get back to work," said head coach Steve Denman. "We have a lot of leadership this season. We have a handful of guys are returning for a third year on the varsity and they're leading the team and setting the tone on what needs to get done."
The Warriors are currently in the midst of a 12-game winning streak from 2011 and will have a lot of returnees at key positions to hopefully keep the streak alive to start the year.
Back for Tehachapi is a loaded backfield that features seniors Marcus Curiel and Cory Lange, who both were first team all-SSL selections, along with talented junior Jorge Garcia.
Between the three players combined, the Warriors ground game collected 1,989 yards and 67 total touchdowns, good for 48 percent and 58 percent of the CIF champion's total output from last season in each category.
Also returning is backup quarterback Bobby Howell, who had three touchdowns passing last year. Blocking for Howell will be returning starters Brent Bernacchi and Andrew Jimenez on the offensive line.
"Right now we're happy with the chemistry that's developing but until you get into the heat of battle there is a lot of unknown," added Denman. "We have a lot to do between now and (this fall), but so far it's been good."
On defense, the Warriors will have vested depth at linebacker with leading tacklers and first team all-league players David Lara and Adam Bullard returning, who combined had 238 tackles, nine sacks and eight fumble recoveries last year.
Complimenting Lara and Bullard on defense will be returning starters Jack Blewett at linebacker, Logan Smith and Troy Mathews on the defensive line and Brian Castaneda and Wyatt Vance in the secondary.
"The harder we work the better off we'll be when the scrimmage and games start," Denman said. "Our goal is to prepare and continue to work hard and get ready. Every year is different and this season will be a brand new start for these kids. We’ll continue to grow together."
Returning Varsity Players
Juniors: 4 Cory Lange WR, LB, 5 Ray Hosier WR, DB, 11 Adam Bullard RB, LB, 18 Chris Coontz WR, DB, 36 Corey Onufrak WR, DB, 59 Armando Perez OL, DL, 61 Jack Blewett OL, LB, 67 Troy Mathews OL, DL, 71 Austin Scarbrough OL, DL, 80 Miguel Davis WR, DB, 85 Blake Delwisch TE, DL, 88 Levi Kill WR, DB, 81 Chris Counihan WR, 77 Jonathan Rudd OL, DL, 76 Joey Costa OL, DL, 74 Zach Caudillo OL, DL, 66 Sam Stephens OL, DL, 60 Donovan Brown OL, DL, 56 Davin Blain OL, DL, 53 Brent Bernacchi OL, 40 Kris Kapitzke WR, DB, 44 David Lara RB, LB, 41 Michael Perez WR, DB, 37 Bryan Fife WR, DL, 32 Wyatt Vance RB, DB, 21 Marcus Curiel RB, LB, 27 Rodrigo Corona WR, DB, 20 Brian Castaneda RB, DB, 16 Sean Rabe WR, DB, 14 Brendyn Heath RB, DB, 8 Cody Hall TE, DL, 7 Erik Rush WR, DB, 3 Sergio Garcia WR, DB
Sophomores: 23 Jorge Garcia RB, DB, 70 Andrew Jimenez OL, DL, 72 Kiefer Fincher OL, DL, 62 Logan Smith OL, DL, 6 Bobby Howell QB, DB
Freshmen: 24 Steven Cross WR, DB, 52 Joseph Blewett OL, DL, 35 Ty Curry RB, LB
Mountain Football Summer Schedule
National Offensive-Defensive Football Camp - The Warriors will be on the road for the National Offensive-Defensive Football Camp, hosted by Princeton Defensive Coordinator Steve Verbit. Tehachapi's attendance at the Football Camp this year will be Jun.15-17 at La Jolla High School. The Warriors were a host school the previous five years. This will be the Warriors first full-team camp road trip since 2004.
Weight Training - Tehachapi will be holding workouts in the gym weight room for the varsity (6 a.m.) and junior varsity/freshmen (5 p.m.) starting on Monday, Jun.20 and going through Thursday, July 28. Weight training will be Monday through Thursday each week.
Summer Practice - Summer Practice officially starts on Monday, Aug.8. Varsity will practice in the morning (6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m.) and evening (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.), while the jayvee and freshmen teams will practice in the evening (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.).
Running back Jorge Garcia follows his lead blocker off-tackle in a drill session last week at THS. Garcia finished last year with
649 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging over 11 yards per carry. Photo by Esther Duffy, The Tehachapi News.
