1977 Warriors
Warrior wide receiver Vince McLaughlin carries the ball for big yardage in a contest against Trona.
McLaughlin scored 3 TD's as the Warriors crushed Trona, 27-0. (Webmaster Note: The Warrior football web site
is searching for a team picture of the 1977 team. Please let us know if you can help!)
The 1977 Warriors finished with an overall season record of 4 wins and 5 losses in Desert-Inyo League play. It was the first losing season by a Warrior varsity team since 1961. Boron won the league while Kern Valley finished in second place. Warriors Suffer First Losing Season
Since 1961 With Final 4-5 Record
In Week 1, before a hometown crowd, the Warriors lost to eventual league champion Boron 9-0. Quarterback Vince McLaughlin went 5-15 passing and running back Dean Koutroulis could only manage 21 yards rushing.
In Week 2, the Warriors got back on the winning track by crushing league patsy Lone Pine 57-8. Lone Pine could only suit up 12 players for the game as Tehachapi racked up 376 rushing yards and 124 passing yards for a whopping 500 total offensive yards. Bruce Schkade score two rushing TD's and rushed for 137 yards; Shelton hauled in two TD passes; Koutroulis scored on a one yard plunge; Dain Murray scored on a 14 yard run; Kurt Isenburg scored on a two yard dive; and Wonacott scored on a 22 yard pass play. McLaughlin kicked 3 PAT's.
In Week 3, Tehachapi was agains shutout, this time by the Desert Scorpions, 20-0. Running back Koutroulis was stifled on the night, picking up 38 yards on 8 carries.
In Week 4 against Kern Valley, John Rolin was moved to quarterback and McLaughlin moved to flanker. Kern Valley won, 27-10, marking the first time a Warrior team lost to Kern Valley since the schools began playing each other in 1960. The Warriors were held to just 36 yards rushing, with Jon Lantz scoring the lone Warrior TD on a 2 yard run. Rolin was 10-31 passing for 140 yards while McLaughlin kicked a long 45 yd. field goal.
In Week 5 in the northern Sierra's, a tough Bishop defense blanked the Warriors for the third time this season, winning 7-0.
Rolin was 2-16 passing for 63 yards and Kurt Isenberg led the Warriors with 27 yards on the ground.
In Week 6 against Mammoth, the Warriors had an offensive explosion as Kurt Isenberg returned a kickoff for 89 yards to give the Warriors a quick 7-0 lead. Tehachapi went on to win 41-0, with additional TD's runs coming from Lantz, McLaughlin, Koutroulis (twice), and Murray. The Warriors collected 223 yards rushing in the game, while McLaughlin kicked 3 PAT's.
In Week 7 versus Mojave, the Warriors held on to win 20-11. Running back Lantz scored on a TD run and quarterback Rolin connected with Scott Shelton for another TD. McLaughlin punched through two FG's of 24 and 28 yards, plus two PAT's. Speedy sophomore Schkade picked up 120 yards on 10 carries and Koutroulis rushed for 85 yards in 19 carries.
In Week 8, a lackluster Warrior offense was held to a lone McLaughlin FG of 32 yards. McLaughling narrowly missed two other FG attempts in the game. Rosamond scored one TD to preserve a slim 6-3 win.
In the league finale, Tehachapi defeated Trona 27-0. McLaughlin had his best game of the year rushing for 100 yards, scoring three TD's,
and kicking three PAT's. David Schulgen scored the other Warrior TD on a 75 yard fumble return.
It was the first losing season for a Warrior team since 1961. Despite the losing season, the Warriors were very competitive losing three of their games by very close margins.
Senior Vince McLaughlin led the team in scoring with 48 points. He scored 4 touchdowns, a record 4 FG's, and 12 PAT kicks.
McLaughlin was selected as the team's Most Valuable Player and was also the lone Warrior selection on the all-league first team (defensive back).
David Schulgen (lineman) and David Backes (lineman) were also selected to the all-league second team.
Click Here For
LISTING OF DIL CHAMPS
FROM 1957-1991
Game-by-Game Results
OPPONENT THS OPP L GAME HIGHLIGHT Sep 16 Boron 00 09 H Sep 23 Lone Pine 57 08 A Bruce Schkade: 2 TD's, 137 yds. rushing Sep 30 Desert (Edwards AFB) 00 20 H Oct 7 Kern Valley 10 27 A Vince McLaughlin: 1 FG, 45 yd. kick Oct 14 Bishop 00 07 A Oct 21 Mammoth 41 00 H Kurt Isenberg: 1 TD: 89 yd. kickoff return Oct 28 Mojave 20 11 H Vince McLaughlin: 2 FG, 24 yd. & 28 yd. kicks Nov 4 Rosamond 03 06 A Vince McLaughlin: 1 FG, 32 yd. kick Nov 10 Trona 27 00 H Vince McLaughlin: 3 TD's, 100 yds. rushing
Warrior Jon Lantz carries the ball for a big game against the visiting Boron High School. The eventual
league champion Bobcats upset the Warriors in the season opener on the mountain, 9-0.
Head Coach Dennis Ruggles recognizes Warrior Vince McLaughlin for his outstanding season. McLaughlin was named the
Most Valuable Player of the team. He was also the lone Warrior selected to the all-league 1st team.
