Taft at Tehachapi
September 12, 2024
Warrior defensive player Jacob Meza #55 wrestles down a Taft running back last Thursday night
in Tehachapi. Meza led the Warriors against Taft recording 13 tackles. The Warriors (2-1) blanked
Taft 41-0 at home and will now travel to Wasco Friday night (September 13). Last year the Warriors
defeated the Tigers in Tehachapi; but Wasco emerged last year as the
CIF DV champions. (Photo by DeAnna Nicholson and Jenifer Michael)
Posted by The Tehachapi News on September 8, 2024. Football Dominates In All Phases With Victory Over Taft
The Warriors put together an impressive performance at Coy Burnett Stadium last Thursday evening in a shutout victory over Taft, 41-0.
Tehachapi (2-1) wasted little time in exercising their will in the contest, jumping out to a quick 21-0 lead in the first quarter
behind touchdown runs by Kaidon Hagerty, Aiden Nicholson and Adrian Pina, who all combined for 110 yards rushing on the evening.
Wade Brooks added another rushing touchdown just before halftime, finishing with 60 yards on the ground.
Tylere Lombardi accounted for the final rushing touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter.
Overall, the Warrior offensive line, led by starters Travis Mason, Logan Miles, Hayden Michael, Alex Leon and Kenny Pitt,
blew open gaping holes at the line of scrimmage to help Tehachapi amass 266 yards rushing, most
coming in the first two quarters after the majority of the second half was played on a mercy-rule, running clock.
We came into the game ready to play,” said Michael. “Our main goal this week was to just get off the ball.”
With that goal achieved, the coaching staff was pleased with the output.
“We really wanted to establish ourselves at the line of scrimmage,” said head coach Kris Krempien. “Coming off a tough game against
Bakersfield Christian the week before, we did a good job up front in that game but we just could
not finish drives. Defensively, when you are getting short fields, it makes it easier on your offense,
dial up a couple of plays and get that knock-out punch early on.”
The opportunistic defense for Tehachapi, which limited the Wildcats to only 125 total yards, was led by Jacob Meza with a team-high
13 tackles and two sacks. Tristan Smith also had 10 tackles and Leo Gonzalez had four tackles,
four quarterback hurries, two punt blocks, a caused fumble and a sack.
Other standouts included Liddon Scott with six tackles, Ethan Cardenas with four tackles, and Jr. Alaniz, Johnny Estrada and Lombardi
with three tackles apiece. Brooks and Carter Kolesar also had fumble recoveries.
Kolesar also had notable achievements on special teams, setting three new school records for the Warriors with strong performances
on kickoffs and two made field goals of 33 and 47 yards. The field goals added to his overall
season tally of five, giving him the school record in a season (shared with Josh Rathbone – 1991)
after only three games. Two new school records were also set in kickoff touchbacks (eight)
and the longest field goal (47 yards) in a game (the previous record was 45 yards from Vince McLaughlin – 1977).
“(Kolesar) is a weapon,” added Krempien. “And not only that, on kickoffs, if you can put the other team at the 20-yard line every time,
that is huge. If you force a team to drive 80 yards that will be tough sledding for any opponent.”
Tehachapi is counting on the victory serving as a foundation to build on for future games.
“Being able to come out right away and set the tone, finish with touchdowns and have a huge start was great for us,” Krempien said.
“Now we just need to watch the film and make the corrections that need to be made because next
week is going to be a tough opponent with Wasco.”
The Tigers entered this season as the defending CIF Central Section Division 5 champions and CIF State Division 6-AA runner-up.
The game will be at Wasco this Friday night. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m.
“Morale is high now and it sets our momentum moving forward,” added Michael. “Guys are going to be getting after it in practice
and flying around more than usual, now. I think a win like this is really good for our team and I can’t wait for our next game.”
Junior varsity
The JV Warriors had a productive output in the run game with 205 yards rushing, but by game’s end, fell in a close contest to Taft, 14-12.
Paxson Schulze was the leading rusher for Tehachapi (0-2-1) with 63 yards, which included an 11-yard touchdown run. Jorge Garcia also
had a 20-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Conner Jenkins and Kaston Carothers had 54 yards rushing in other offensive highlights.
Defensively, Lasa Hemphill had a team-high 11 tackles and a sack, followed by Austin Rolow with nine tackles and Kyle Shipp
with six tackles and three pass break-ups. Other standouts included Daniel Lambrecht with five tackles,
Isaiah Bachara with four tackles, two pass break-ups and a sack, Jackson Robinson with four tackles,
Noah Davis with four tackles, Jose Sanchez with three tackles and a sack and Peyton Popejoy with three tackles.
Garcia also had an interception in the fourth quarter that was returned 52 yards to Taft territory.
The JV Warriors will have an away contest this Friday afternoon against Wasco. Kickoff will be at 5 p.m.
Posted by Tom Shea, The Bakersfield Californian, on September 8, 2024. Tehachapi 41 Taft 00
After coming off a disappointing performance at home against Bakersfield Christian the week before,
the Warriors were itching to get back on their turf and put on a better
showing for their home crowd faithful.
Tehachapi (2-1) did that and more, jumping out to a three-touchdown lead in the first quarter,
eventually cruising to an impressive 41-0 victory over Taft (1-2).
The Warriors had starting field position in Wildcat territory on six of their eight drives,
with rushing touchdowns coming from Kaidon Hagerty, Aiden Nicholson, Adrian Pina,
Wade Brooks and Tylere Lombardi.
“We really wanted to establish ourselves on the line of scrimmage and get some of our swagger back,” said
Tehachapi head coach Kris Krempien. “Being able to come out right away
and set the tone, finish with touchdowns and have a huge start was great for us,”Nicholson was the leading rusher for the Warriors with 78 yards on eight carries, followed
by Brooks with 60 yards on seven carries and Roland Pina with 46 yards
on four attempts. The offensive line provided gaping holes
all evening long, leading up to 266 rushing yards overall.
All of the touchdown runs were set up on short field position and opportunistic defense by the Warriors,
with Leo Gonzalez recording two punt blocks and Brooks and Carter
Kolesar each recording fumble recoveries.
Kolesar’s performance on defense was just the opening act, also recording field goals on special teams
of 33 and 47 yards. The ladder boot set a new school record,
breaking the previous mark by Vince McLaughlin, a 45-yard field goal
against Kern Valley in 1977. Kolesar also set a new school record
in kickoff touchbacks through the endzone, going a perfect eight-for-eight on the evening.
“Carter is a weapon. Great kid and great work ethic,” added Krempien. “He has put in a lot of
hard work into his kicking. It is nice to know that anytime
you are inside the 35-yard line, you are comfortable sending your kicker in.”
The standout night was not lost on Kolesar, either.
“I felt like it was a good performance. We really wanted to play tough and physical and get back
to playing mountain football,” Kolesar said. “Getting ready for moments like this
after preparing all spring and summer. Every day practicing kicking and having it pay off. It feels great.”
Overall, Taft was limited to just 125 yards of total offense, with Dylan Clark the leading
rusher for the Wildcats with 59 yards on 15 carries.
“Last week we did not perform well but we came into this game ready to play,” said Warrior
offensive center Hayden Michael. “It was a great night for home redemption.”
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final Taft 0 0 0 0 00 Tehachapi 21 13 0 7 41
Taft vs Tehachapi Statistics
Taft THS First Downs 14 Rushes-Yards 29-95 34-266 Passing Yards 11 10 Comp-Att-Int 2-7-0 1-3-0 Total Yards 106 276 Punts 4-25.0 3-38.7 Penalties 9-129 8-86
Individual Statistics:
RUSHING — Taft: Clark D. 18-70, Clark C., Ward 3-0, Miranda 1-4.
Tehachapi: Aiden Nicholson 8-78, Brooks 7-60, Pina A. 4-12, Michael 3-5, Lombardi 4-17, Pina R. 4-46, Hagerty 2-20, Aguirre 1-15, Smith 1-13.
PASSING — Taft: Clark C. 2-7-11. Tehachapi: Michael 1-3-0.
RECEIVING — Taft: Miranda 1-3, Laulu 1-8. Tehachapi: Hagerty 1-10.
Varsity Records: Tehachapi 2-1 Bakersfield Christian (2-1)
