1943 Warriors
The 1943 Warriors include, top row, left to right, Armondo Acedo, Arthur Vasquez, Bill Yates, and Hugh Vasquez.
Middle row, David Navarro, Dick Yates, Alfred Damian, and Salvador Navarro.
Bottom row, Leonard Gutierrez, Frank Barrera, Tony Anthony, and Paul Giddings, Jr.
Not pictured are Gilbert Cervantes and Ralph Tallman, team manager.
In the first year of his two year stay in Tehachapi, head coach Henry Kossow's 1943 Warriors won 4 games and lost 2. Warriors Finish 4-2 In Season
Shortened by Stress of World War II
The team played a limited schedule and all of their games were six-man football contests due to the impacts of a pending war.
According to the Tehachapi News, "prospects for games are limited due to the war situation.
It is hoped enough gasoline will be available for out of town games".
The 1943 season began with 30 players turning out for the team. But the World War II draft and injuries depleted the
team of players as the season progressed.
Some season highlights include the following:
In the 12-6 victory over Randsburg, the passing combination of Ralph Morentin and Armando Acedo completed 26 of 39 passes for 193 yards.
Salvador Navarro and Art Vasquez each hauled in one touchdown pass apiece.
In the first game with Maricopa, the Warriors blanked the Indians, 20-0. Acedo led the scoring parade with three touchdowns
including a spectacular 95 yard interception return for a TD.
In the return game on the mountain, the Warriors stomped Maricopa, 46-6. Some of the scoring included an Acedo kickoff return
for a touchdown; Vasquez scored on a short running play; and reserve quarterback William Yates connected with wide receiver
Tony Anthony twice for touchdown passes.
Of historical interest, the 1943-44 Tomahawk Yearbook was dedicated to China --- the leader of the allied movement. But the 1943-44 school year
will be best remembered as the year of "THE FIRE". On Friday, February 4th, 1944, a fire of unknown sources destroyed
most of Tehachapi High School. The dramatic fire, witnessed by a great majority of the townspeople, devoured the gymnasium, stage, cafeteria, library, and administrative offices.
Student records, general student body achievements, pictures of graduating senior classes, and all athletic trophies and awards were destroyed in the fire.
It would be several years (complicated by the war) before the school could recover from the devastating loss.
A Warrior running back (dark jersey) runs for big yardage against Trona in a home game on the mountain.
Game-by-Game Results
OPPONENT THS OPP L GAME HIGHLIGHT Oct x Trona 06 28 X Nov 4 Randsburg 36 06 H Nov x Trona 07 28 X Nov 20 Randsburg 12 06 A Salvador Navarro: 1 TD rushing Nov 24 Maricopa 20 00 A Armando Acedo: 3 TD's Dec 3 Maricopa 46 06 H Tony Anthony: 2 TD pass receptions
