LAST MINUTE HEARTBREAK  Warrior-D Plays Outstanding, but 'Cats get last minute TD for win

DEFENSIVE BATTLE - There were too many stand-outs to name in the epic SSL battle with Taft, with many Warriors stepping up their game to hold Taft scoreless up to the final minute of the game.

Posted 10-07-06

TEHACHAPI NEWS - It will go down as one of the best defensive games in Warrior history, but in the end, it did not equate to a victory for the Warriors in a 7-6 defeat to Taft.

Recording six sacks, two interceptions, a fumble recovery, and four punts, the Tehachapi (3-3; 0-1 SSL) defense was brilliant all night long against a very formidable Wildcat offense, who coming into the contest had been averaging 242 rushing yards and 29 points per game. Led by a 14-tackle night by Alek Taliulu, Mountain Football held Taft scoreless up until the final minute of the game, relinquishing only 128 yards rushing and 53 yards passing.

In addition to Taliulu’s brilliant night at linebacker, other defensive standouts included Adam Greenwood, who recorded six tackles, Stefan Bekker, who had seven tackles, Jake Harris with six tackles and three sacks, Matt Hall with two tackles and two sacks, and Garrett Coontz with five tackles and a sack. Jeff Waldram recovered a fumble in the contest, while Josh Schulgen and Coontz had interceptions. AJ Meza, Evan McBride, Waldram, and Byron Herman also had multiple-tackle nights.

Offensively, Tehachapi had 139 yards rushing in the defensive battle, with Tailulu recording 65 yards on 11 touches. Louis James had 12 carries for 29 yards, Josh Strauss had five carries for 22 yards and a second-quarter touchdown, and Bekker had a catch for 34 yards. Tehachapi Quarterback Ehren Ochsenrider had a completion for 34 yards, bringing up his yearly total to 255 yards and a touchdown. Ochsenrider’s touchdown came on a 29-yard completion to Franky Rodriguez in a week five win against Roosevelt.

Tehachapi can get back into the SSL title race this week with a victory against Arvin and a Shafter (6-0; 1-0 SSL) victory over Taft (5-1; 1-0 SSL). The Bears are coming off a 34-14 victory over Wasco last Friday.

Hit and Fly!

MOUNTAIN MEDIA VIDEO Game-By-Game Video Highlights

	Tehachapi will be getting an upgrade for their chain gang this week, with new markers and a dial-a-down recently coming in via mail carrier!  The upgrade for new chains is long overdue, and thanks to the generous donation of the Warrior Boosters, we now have a new set.  Since we're on this note of donation giving...this would be a great time to recognize Boyle Engineering, who donated a $4,600 sound system for Coy Burnett Field that was used for the first time against Stockdale during homecoming. Hopefully these will be a few of many projects to come for the improvement of equipment/facilities for THS athletics!  GO WARRIORS
	Warrior Volleyball is currently sitting at 14-3-5 on the year, defeating Shafter in straight-sets last Thursday.  Tehachapi will have a BIG match against Arvin this Thursday in Arvin, and will be at home against Wasco on Tuesday.  The game starts at 6:15 p.m., if you can make it be sure to go...it's a lot of fun to watch.  For a schedule, click here.  For up-to-date stats on all our Lady Warriors, click here.
	Be sure to tune in frequently to get the latest new, highlights, and commentary!  Be sure to check out the Central Valley Sports chat room forum at some point this year...and don't forget to follow statistical highlights on all Warrior sports on maxpreps.  On maxpreps, a link to each Tehachapi sport can be found by scrolling on the left-hand side of the page.  Thanks to all of you for logging in and supporting Tehachapi High School Warrior athletics!

Questions?  Concerns?  Corrections?  Send Tom Shea an email, he'd like to hear from you.