The Warriors placed 17 players on the all-league team including Cory Lange (above left) and Troy Matthews (above right).
Lange and Matthews were all-league 1st team honorees for the second straight season. Photo by The Tehachapi News.
Posted by Tom Shea, The Tehachapi News, on January 3, 2012 SSL Champs Swarm Individual Honors
17 Warriors Named To League Elite
In their final season in the South Sequoia League, it was a storybook ending for Mountain Football.
Tehachapi (10-2; 5-0 SSL) closed their 20th and final year with the SSL with their third-straight league title and ninth overall since joining the league in 1992.
Adding to the dominance was an amazing sweep in the all league voting, with 17 Warriors named to the first, second and honorable mention teams and the majority of the first team players also named to the Bakersfield Channel 29 New Hometown Sports All-Star team.
Earning first team all-league recognition was Cory Lange (WR/DB), Adam Bullard (LB), Jack Blewett (LB), Kris Kapitzke (DB), Troy Mathews (DL), David Lara (DL), Marcus Curiel (RB), Wyatt Vance (RB), Armando Perez (OL), Andrew Garber (OL), Brent Bernacchi (OL) and Cody Hall (TE), Standout lineman Andrew Jimenez (OL) was a second team selection and talented players Bobby Howell (QB), Logan Smith (DL), Kiefer Fincher (DL) and Blake Delwisch (DL) earned honorable mention recognition.
In addition to individual accolades, the Warriors made their mark on the team record books, collecting an amazing 35.5 points per game average for the second best all-time among Tehachapi teams since 1930. The Warriors 427 total points was also the fifth most points scored in one season.
To celebrate a memorable 2011, Mountain Football would like to invite the community to their end of year banquet next Thursday, Jan.12 at 6 p.m. in the THS cafeteria, where the athletes will receive their much deserved awards.
Below is a breakdown of all first team honorees for Tehachapi.
Brent Bernacchi - Senior
Bernacchi helped anchor a line at tackle for Tehachapi that produced 3,684 rushing yards at an astounding 7.25 yards per carry for the Warrior wing-t backs. The talented senior also helped the Warriors to 60 total touchdowns overall and was a Hometown Sports All-Star along with his selection to the All-SSL first team.
Jack Blewett - Senior
An inspirational leader for the Warriors, Blewett was mature beyond his years and was a team leader in tackles with 122, while also recording five sacks. Blewett was also named as a Hometown All-Star and consistently was one of Tehachapi’s top defensive performers week after week in 2011.
Adam Bullard - Senior
Earning his second straight first team all-league honor, Bullard was one of the most dominant defense linebackers in Kern County and one of the best all-time players for Tehachapi. The senior had 124 tackles and two interceptions on the year, and earned a spot as a Hometown Sports All-Star for the second year in a row.
Marcus Curiel - Senior
Curiel ended his brilliant tenure as a Warrior with a team leading 1,334 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns, giving him 2,446 yards rushing, 39 touchdowns and 239 points in two seasons for Mountain Football. The touchdowns and points are the seventh best marks for a Warrior back all-time since 1930. Curiel is also a two-time first team all-league selection and Hometown Sports All-Star.
Cody Hall - Senior
The talented tight end for Tehachapi was a dominating presence on the offensive line, helping the Warriors to 388 yards per game in wing-t dominance. Hall also had a 55 yard touchdown reception against Shafter in the league opener to help solidify his selection as a first team All-SSL athlete.
Kris Kapitzke - Senior
The senior cornerback played a vital role in Tehachapi’s championship run, recording a key pass deflection in the league championship against Wasco, lining up multiple times on one-on-one coverage and neutralizing the league’s MVP. Kapitzke had 70 tackles on the year, seven pass deflections and four fumble recoveries and was named a Hometown Sports All-Star.
Cory Lange - Senior
One of the greatest overall athletes in THS history, Lange was a first team all-league selection on both offense and defense to couple with his first team selection last season. The Hometown Sports All-Star also broke the single season record for a Warrior in passing yardage this season with 725 yards, while also recording nine touchdowns. On defense, Lange had 72 tackles; four punt blocks, three field goal blocks, an interception and a safety.
David Lara - Senior
Tehachapi’s accolades on defense were in large part because of the output that Lara had every week, leading the team with 7.5 sacks and also contributing with 66 tackles. Lara was also picked as a Hometown Sports All-Star along with collecting his second straight first team all-league selection.
Troy Mathews - Senior
Mathews earned his second straight first team all-league honor this past year, playing through the pain of a knee injury all season long to become a vital contributor on the defensive line. The Hometown All-Star had 86 tackles and 1.5 sacks this past season.
Armando Perez - Senior
Perez was a strong presence for Tehachapi behind center, helping the offensive line not miss a beat from previous seasons en route to a third straight league title. The multi-sport standout earned his second overall first team selection to the SSL elite and was also picked as a Hometown Sports All-Star.
Wyatt Vance - Senior
The standout Hometown Sports All-Star was a force in the wing-t rushing attack, closing his final season as a Warrior with 1,127 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, providing one of the most formidable one-two rushing punches in Kern County. Vance also led the team in kickoff return yardage, collecting 217 total yards on nine returns.
Andrew Garber - Junior
Garber was the only non-senior to make first team all-league and was also an honoree for Tehachapi as a selection to the Hometown Sports All-Star team. Garber is a first time All-SSL selection for the Warriors and will be looked upon for even greater success as a senior on the line of scrimmage in the Warriors inaugural SEYL season next fall.
