Tehachapi at Wasco
September 13, 2024
The Warriors (3-1) again earned a lopsided win with a 36-8 drubbing of Wasco High last Friday, September 14,
in Wasco. Andrew Aguirre #9 (pictured) had a good game against the Tigers scoring one touchdown
and gaining 119 all-purpose yards on offense. The Warriors have a bye week this Friday, September 20.
The next game is against Golden West of Visalia on September 27.
(Photo credits by DeAnna Nicholson and Jenifer Michael)
Posted by The Tehachapi News on September 15, 2024. Early Goal Line Stand Leads To Warriors' Rout Over Wasco
Wasco was moving with ease down the field on their opening drive with a flurry of smash-mouth runs to set up a first and goal.
A touchdown looked to be imminent for the Tigers and an early game lead.
But then the Warrior defense buckled down and made a stand.
Tehachapi (3-1) recorded four-straight run-stuffs at the goal line to force a turnover on downs. The Tigers’ impressive 12-play,
79-yard drive resulted in no points. That early momentum carried Mountain Football the rest of
the way into an eventual 36-8 victory over Wasco (2-2).
In the crucial fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line, Adrian Pina made the initial stop, with Hayden Michael, Alex Leon,
Jacob Meza and Ethan Cardenas swarming in to assist to thwart the score.
“Defensively we came out a little slow and we got punched in the mouth,” said Pina. “When we stopped them at the one (yard line),
we just got the momentum rolling on offense and that set the tone the rest of the way.”
Mountain Football went to work after the turnover on downs, steamrolling for 99 yards on eight plays and capping the drive
with a Wade Brooks nine-yard touchdown run.
It would be the first of many endzone trips in 326 total yards of offense for the Warriors. Kaidon Hagerty had 73 all-purpose yards,
a touchdown run and a touchdown reception, Andrew Aguirre had 119 all-purpose yards a touchdown
reception and Pina had a touchdown run. Colton Michael had an outstanding game at quarterback,
recording a 141.7 passer rating with 64 yards on four completions and two touchdown passes.“We came into this game wanting to contain the offensive line and get pressure on the defensive line,” said Aguirre.
“That is where the main threat was and what we had to stop.”Defensively, the Warriors were relentless and swarming for a second-consecutive week. Tehachapi gave up only 79 yards rushing
and just one big play when Wasco was able to register an 87-yard passing
touchdown
during a fourth quarter, mercy rule running clock.
Standouts on defense included Pina with nine tackles, Leo Gonzalez with eight tackles and Mason Rothermel, Tylere Lombardi,
Hayden Michael, Cardenas and Aguirre with seven tackles each. Jacob Meza and Kenny Pitt had five
tackles, apiece. Pitt also had a safety from his defensive line position in the second quarter
with a tackle for loss in the endzone on a Tiger speed-sweep attempt.
“It is about momentum and confidence. You have to be big in big moments,” said Pitt. “We are a ground and pound team
and we live for that. It felt great.”
Pina’s performance was particularly inspiring, with the senior having to sit out the majority of his junior year due to injury.
But this season, he is healthy, playing at a high level and making his presence known.
“Last year was an amazing season but I had to sit out and miss it. It feels good to be back,” Pina said. “Our line did really good tonight.
We have a lot of seniors and they all know each other and they have that chemistry.”On special teams, Lombardi had a blocked punt and Carter Kolesar had five recorded touchbacks on kickoffs to cap a
hard-fought victory in the trenches over the Tigers.
“We are a little banged up right now, but it is all part of the game. A win like this gives us motivation going into
the bye week,” Aguirre said.
The Warriors will have a week off to heal before facing a stiff test on Friday, Sept. 27 against a talented Visalia-Golden West (3-1)
team at Coy Burnett Stadium. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. The Trailblazers have a bye this week,
as well. They defeated Bakersfield-North this past Thursday, 48-0.
“We have a goal to fight for each other, fight for the team and fight for our town,” added Aguirre. “There is no holding back.”
JV Warriors Earn First Victory With Win Over Tigers
The Tehachapi Junior Varsity squad earned their first win of the year with an impressive 21-6 victory over Wasco last Friday afternoon.
Jorge Garcia led the offense with 94 yards rushing and a touchdown run. Quarterback Conner Jenkins also had two touchdown
runs and 46 yards rushing.
On defense, Isaiah Bachara was a standout with 11 tackles, followed by Jackson Robinson and Lasa Hemphill with six tackles each and
Jose Sanchez and Carson Snell with five tackles, apiece. Robinson also wreaked havoc in the backfield
with three sacks. Kody Lantz and Kane Harding chipped in with sacks and Noah Davis and Lantz recorded fumble recoveries.
Tehachapi (1-2-1) will have a bye this week and then take on Visalia-Golden West next Friday, Sept. 27 at 5 p.m. at Coy Burnett Stadium.
Posted by The Bakersfield Californian, on September 15, 2024. Tehachapi 36 Wasco 8
After a goal-line stand on the Tiger’s first possession of the game, Tehachapi (3-1) used that momentum
to record a dominating first half and an eventual 36-8 victory on the road against Wasco (2-2).
The Warriors churned out 262 yards on the ground, with touchdown runs coming from Wade Brooks,
Kaidon Hargerty and Adrian Pina.
Aguirre had a game-high 96 yards rushing on seven carries, also hauling in a touchdown reception
just before halftime from quarterback Colton Michael. Hagarty also had a touchdown
reception in the first half from Michael on the Warriors second score of the game.
On defense, Kenny Pitt recorded a safety tackle for loss in the endzone on a Wasco sweep attempt.
Pitt finished with five tackles and a sack. Pina also had nine tackles, Leo Gonzalez
had eight tackles and Ethan Cardenas, Tylere Lombardi, Mason Rothermel, Hayden Michael
and Aguirre each had seven tackles apiece to lead the Warriors.
For the Tigers, Hammie Lopez had 84 yards rushing on 23 carries and 87 yards passing, connecting
with Moroni Carranza on a 87-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter.
Lopez also had a two-point conversion run.
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final Wasco 0 0 0 8 08 Tehachapi 6 23 0 7 36
Wasco vs Tehachapi Statistics
Wasco THS First Downs 14 Rushes-Yards 40-262 Passing Yards 64 Comp-Att-Int 4-6-0 Total Yards 276 Punts 1-44.0 Penalties 4-36
Individual Statistics:
RUSHING — Wasco: .
Tehachapi: Nicholson 2-7, Brooks 6-25, Pina A. 6-16, Michael 4-33, Lombardi 2-5, Pina R. 4-28, Hagerty 4-37, Aguirre 7-36, Gonzales 2-6, King 3-8.
PASSING — Wasco: . Tehachapi: Michael 4-6-64.
RECEIVING — Wasco: . Tehachapi: Hagerty 2-36, Pina 1-5, Aguirre 1-23.
Varsity Records: Tehachapi 3-1 Wasco 2-2
