Tehachapi High School junior Cory Lange, front, and senior Travis Farewell, lead a group of Warriors in an intensive work out
session in the THS weight room in anticipation of the 2010 football season. Photo by Mike Duffy, The Tehachapi News
Posted August 3, 2010 by Tom Shea, The Tehachapi News 2010 Warriors Pumping Iron
The expectations are always high, and for the group of nearly 50 Tehachapi Warrior football players this summer, so is their commitment level.
The Warriors, who are coming off a 10-3 season that brought them a CIF playoff semifinal appearance and a South Sequoia League championship, have been lifting weights all summer long in preparation for upcoming spring practice starting next Monday.
"We've had some guys that have dedicated themselves this summer and that will help them for the upcoming year," said head coach Steve Denman. "The work you put in now goes a long way to success on the field this fall."
Heading into next week's spring practice, Tehachapi will have two talented quarterbacks in their arsenal in senior Levi Garrett and talented sophomore Bobby Howell behind center. Howell, who led the Braves to an SSL championship last season, was a standout player on his junior varsity team as a freshman.
The wing-t running attack will also look to have depth and consistency, with returning players Michael Lowder and Phil Rhodes along with up and coming threats Jorge Garcia, Brian Castaneda and Wyatt Vance from last year's jayvee squad.
Tehachapi will also returns a handful of all-league athletes in first team defensive lineman Cameron King and second team tight end Travis Farewell and offensive lineman Niko Taliulu, along with a defense that returns eight players that had at least one start or more on the 2009 defense.
"We'll know the kind of team we have as we continue to work over the next few weeks," added Denman. "There is much that still needs to be decided. Nothing is set in stone."
The public is encouraged to partake in the Warriors practice over the course of the month leading up to their first scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 27 against Highland and West Bakersfield High Schools.
Mountain Football summer practice will be from 6 to 8 a.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. starting this upcoming Monday, Aug. 9 at the high school. An inter-squad scrimmage and pictures is also scheduled for 7 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 21. Fans are encouraged to attend all events. Please remember to bring chairs, shade and water.