'STANGS STUNNED Tehachapi closes out impressive pre-season with Stockdale victory

Posted 09-21-07

TEHACHAPI NEWS - It was billed as one of the toughest pre-season schedules for a sequoia division team over a month ago.

Tehachapi never balked at the challenge.

With the pre-season officially concluded, it is safe to say that Tehachapi (4-1) has risen to the occasion, notching wins against quality programs and much-bigger schools, capping their run last Friday night in a 35-28 victory over Stockdale.

Tehachapi went up in contest early against the Mustangs when Kelly Lorenz found some open-space in the middle of the line of scrimmage for a 28-yard touchdown jaunt. After an Ehren Ochsenrider PAT it was 7-0.

Stockdale answered the score with one of their own, but Tehachapi took a commanding lead into the locker room when a 1-yard run by Ochsenrider and a 2-yard run by Kelly Lorenz helped the Warriors go up by two scores. Ochsenrider converted with Franky Rodriguez for a two-point conversion on the latter touchdown to help Mountain Football go up 21-7.

The game was all but iced when Tehachapi extended their margin of victory to three touchdowns, with Josh Strauss finding the endzone on an 8-yard run and Lorenz scoring his third TD on a 10-yard run late in the fourth quarter.

Lorenz finished with 130 yards on 14 carries, Josh Strauss finished with 97 yards on 16 attempts, and Adam Mullen had 63 yards on 11 touches. JJ Balkar also caught his first catch of the year on a 40 yard completion in the first half.

On defense, the Warriors secondary terrorized Stockdale in the turnover category, with four interceptions recorded by Franky Rodriguez, Derek Lange, Josh Schulgen, and Jeff Waldram. Garrett Coontz also had a fumble recovery late in first half and rumbled 42 yards down to the Stockdale redzone to help set up Tehachapi’s third score.

Total tackles for Tehachapi had Alek Taliulu and Garrett Coontz recording nine apiece, Jonathan Perrien and Adam Mullen tallying six takedowns, and Brent Hanes, Derek Lange, Jeff Waldram, Josh Schulgen, Steve Miller and Marcus Abarquez recording multiple tackles.  Louie Olofson also had a sack late in second half action.

Overall, Tehachapi is ranked #2 in the Central Section for Division III schools, just behind Delano, who lost to Golden West last week. 

Mountain Football will have a bye this week, and will pick up action again next Friday in an away game against the Shafter Generals. Game festivities will begin at 7 p.m.

Hit and Fly!

MOUNTAIN MEDIA VIDEO Game-By-Game Video Highlights

BRAVES AND INDIANS DROP GAMES TO STOCKDALE The Tehachapi underclassmen programs suffered some minor setbacks this week with a couple of tough losses, but will look to heal from their wounds this upcoming Thursday and Friday with byes scheduled. The Indians will pick up action again this upcoming Thursday against the Shafter Bucks on the road, while the Braves will lock horns with the Colonels in Shafter next Friday, both with 5 p.m. start times. For game scores and highlights of the freshman and junior varsity programs, visit www.thswarriors.com. Junior Varsity:  Stockdale 42, Tehachapi 8 The Braves put together one of their most impressive drives of the season in the second quarter, but in the end the Mustangs were too opportunistic and too strong for visiting Tehachapi. The Braves touchdown march tallied five first downs on a drive that started on their own 31-yard line, and was capped with a Jesse Olofson 4-yard touchdown run. Olofson finished the game with 62 yards on 13 carries. Late in the fourth quarter, Cal Weeks gave Tehachapi a spark on offense with seven carries for 65 yards, just missing scoring a touchdown with time winding down in a goal-line stop by Stockdale. On defense, John Cramer led Tehachapi with 10 tackles, followed by Niko Taliulu with five stuffs and Eric Erickson, Zach Maravigili, Nick Howell, Brennen Davis, Dylan Fralick, Luke Mears, Clint Heinzler, Luke Papac, and Matt Santos with multiple tackle nights. Santos also had a two point pass catch in the end zone from Ryan Dalmas after the second quarter score. Freshmen: Stockdale 17, Tehachapi 14 After spotting Stockdale a 9-0 lead to open the game, the Indian offense came alive when Levi Garrett found an open Travis Farewell in the flat for a long pass-and-catch score, and Garrett taking a quarterback sneak in the end zone on a two-yard run to help Tehachapi build a 14-9 halftime lead. Garrett’s goal line dive culminated a nine-play drive that ate up most of the second quarter clock. The Mustangs and the Indians traded blows for a majority of the second half, with Stockdale eeking out a fourth quarter score on a controversial call late in the game. Stockdale was rewarded with a touchdown after the runner bobbled the pigskin prior to crossing the plane and the Indians’ Brandon Brown recovering in the endzone. The game officials signaled a touchdown, giving the Mustangs the lead and the eventual win. “It was a hard fought drag-out game. 14-9 at halftime and they just got a play at the end,” said head coach Bruce Schkade. “We’re proud of them, we’re right there and if we play like this in league we’ll do just fine.”

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!