TEHACHAPI & BLITZ BOWL V   Ralph Curiel and Mike Papac play all-star roles in arena game

  FINAL PREP RUN - Ralph Curiel (#64) and Mike Papac (#85) take time out to pose for the camera after participating in Blitz Bowl V, the nation's only arena-style prep all-star game.

Posted 04-09-06

TEHACHAPI NEWS - In what has turned out to be one of the most highly anticipated events in prep-football in Kern County, the nation’s premiere all-arena all-star game took center stage last Friday night with two Tehachapi seniors, Ralph Curiel and Mike Papac, representing Tehachapi on the East All-Star team.

The Blitz Bowl, a high school all-star event put on by the Arena Football 2 franchise Bakersfield Blitz, is the only known arena-style high school all-star game in the entire country. The game itself turned out to be the most thrilling in five years of play, with the West All-Stars taking the win 33-32, behind a two-point conversion run by Taft’s Ben Estill with 4.4 seconds remaining in the game.

“I remember watching Bob DiRado playing in this game a couple years back and just looking up to the players that got a chance to play in this game,” said Mike Papac. “To represent Tehachapi and play (in the Blitz Bowl) was a great experience.”

ARENA ACTION - Both Curiel and Papac made their presence felt, keying on plays through out the night in helping East to 32 offensive points.

Papac and Curiel, both first team All-SSL selections in both 2004 and 2005, were hand-picked to play in the all-star game through an intense recommendation and selection process.  Papac was highly touted as the best tight-end in the entire county, leading Tehachapi’s offense last season with four touchdown catches on 276 yards receiving, while also making first team All-Area. Curiel, a three-year varsity starter for Tehachapi, was a dominant force for the Warriors last season at tackle, garnering All-Area honorable mention honors in both 2004 and 2005 from the All-Area committee.

In the Blitz Bowl, both Curiel and Papac lined up next to each other in extra point attempts, while Curiel manned tackle and Papac defensive end for the duration of the game. Curiel kept his opposition at bay for most of the night, helping to give former Garces QB Brendan Barkate a pocket to find a host of talented receivers. On defense, Papac recorded three tackles, a pass deflection, and an extra point attempt stop during the game’s action.

Curiel and Papac are the seventh and eighth players for Tehachapi to be selected to play in the inaugural Kern County All-Star game.  Other Tehachapi players that have been selected to play include Jacob Perry in 2002, Bob DiRado in 2003, Tanner Hutchinson and Tyler McCann in 2004, and Mike Faulkner and Trenton Pera in 2005.

Now that high school football is officially over for both Curiel and Papac, both players have aspirations to take their skills to the next level, with both having plans to play collegiately. Curiel is planning to enroll at College of the Canyons, while Papac has received strong interest from Colorado and UNLV, with both programs set to watch him very closely as he embarks on playing his first two years of eligibility at Bakersfield College.

“I’ve wanted to be a Warrior ever since I was in kindergarten,” said Ralph Curiel. “Now that it’s over I’m going to miss it.  It’s been a great time.”

Hit and Fly!

	Tehachapi Baseball continues to play well under first-year head coach Dennis Costa, and is currently sporting a 6-6 (3-1 SSL) record. Tehachapi can claim a firm foothold on the league with three big games against Taft, the current SSL first place team with a 3-4 (1-0 SSL) record. Check out the Warrior schedule and try to make a game to support your Warriors! For in-depth statistics on the Tehachapi players, click here. For schedule and results, click here.
	Tehachapi Softball recorded a big win over Taft in the first week of SSL action, with Kayla Kapitzke hitting a two-run homerun to help guide the Lady Warriors to the thrilling 2-1 win. Through 9-April, Tehachapi is sporting a 7-3-1 overall record, including 2-0 in league. For in-depth statistics on the Tehachapi players, click here. For schedule and results, click here. Warrior head coach Tracy Goodell called the win against Taft, the "biggest victory in five years". Hopefully the ladies will continue to make history by bringing home a SSL title! GO WARRIORS!
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