CHAMPIONSHIP BOUND Tehachapi defeats Garces to re-take all-time series

SERIES LEADERS - A swarming defense led by Marcus Abarquez neutralized the Rams for the second time this season, with Tehachapi recording their first shutout win of the year. Tehachapi will move on to face Foothill in the CIF championship game this Friday night at Coy Burnett Field. The Trojans will make their second-straight championship appearance after a 30-26 win over Washington Union. --Photo by Craig Robbins

Posted 11-24-07

TEHACHAPI NEWS - When Tehachapi and Garces play each other, it seems that there is always so much on the line.

In the past, it has been for league championships. Most recently, a rivalry trophy to commemorate the great tradition between the two schools was on the line last August.

But this game might have just topped all of that, with the opportunity for the victor to play in the CIF championship.

Tehachapi will be the team that can punch their ticket for the title shot after a 23-0 shutout over the Rams, thanks in part to an impressive defensive effort and nearly-flawless execution.

“To beat Garces twice on one season is amazing, it’s the first time in Tehachapi’s history that we have done that,” said head coach Steve Denman. “These kids have been focused all season long and I’m so happy for them to have an opportunity to play in the finals.”

Tehachapi’s Kelly Lorenz got the momentum going early for the home-Warriors with a 33-yard run on the first play on offense to help set up an Adam Mullen 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. The drive, which began at the Garces 36 yard line, was set up off a punt block by Garrett Coontz.

“We overloaded the side and I looped around and it was a wide open lane,” said Coontz. “We did a great job of shifting and not letting them know what we’re doing. It feels great to come out on top, feels real good.”

The Warriors (11-1) scored again midway through the second quarter on a punishing 15-play drive that ate up most of the first half clock, capped by a 4-yard run by Mullen to make the game count, 14-0 Tehachapi. The drive was again set up off a big momentum play on defense, this time with Jonathan Perrien intercepting a tipped-pass at the line of scrimmage to thwart a Ram drive.

“We just want to come to practice everyday and gain more knowledge so we can perform in games like this,” said Perrien. “Tradition is a big think up here, and it makes you feel like you can’t be stopped, we just want everything to go our way.”

Shawn Pimentel helped ice the game for the Warriors with a six yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter off a pass from Ehren Ochsenrider, who finished with four completions for 45 yards. Other notable offensive leaders included Josh Strauss with 63 yards on 15 carries and Adam Mullen with 57 yards on 17 attempts. Perrien led Tehachapi’s defense with six tackles and two sacks, while Alek Taliulu and Derek Lange had five tackles each.

Up next for the Warriors will be a CIF championship match-up at home against the no.2 seed Foothill Trojans, who were 30-26 winners over Washington Union in the other semi-final game. The contest will be at Coy Burnett Field this Friday night at 7 p.m.

Hit and Fly!

MOUNTAIN MEDIA VIDEO Game-By-Game Video Highlights

	WARRIOR SCOUTING REPORT - Tehachapi (11-1) vs. Foothill (9-3) Another Cinderella Story? Foothill might feel they have fate on their side this Friday night in Tehachapi, and very little folks may argue that claim. With a second-straight trip to the championship game in a season that is very much mirrored from the 2006 campaign, the Trojans have not spared the dramatics. Both of their playoffs games this season have come with late fourth quarter surges, with the first a field goal to lift Foothill to a 10-9 win over Dinuba, and an interception return for a touchdown to help cap a 30-26 victory over Washington Union last week. A team of destiny?  Perhaps. But setting aside the crystal ball for a minute, what is very much evident with Foothill is a wealth of experience by players that have seen a championship game just one short season ago, 23 players in fact.   SEASON BOOKENDS - Tehachapi and Foothill began...and will end their respective years together in the 2007 season.  The Warriors and Trojans last met each other in a pre-season scrimmage in August. Some of the stars that are getting their second shot include runningback Eric Jones, who has rushed for 1,147 yards and 20 touchdowns in the regular season, along with quarterback Matt Guerra, who has thrown for 1,162 yards and 13 touchdowns to lead a balanced Trojan attack. The wide receiving corps should be the best that Tehachapi has seen to date this year. Randy Davenport is one of the valley’s premiere players, with over 500 yards receiving to his credit along with playmaking abilities in the running game, taking off-tackle and speed sweeps for over 250 yards on the ground. Davenport loves the big lights, registering 90 yards and a touchdown last season in the championship. Foothill had a forgetful title game last season in a 42-14 loss to Garces, but they get their second shot at glory. For Tehachapi, there is much to be said in the destiny category as well. The Warrior defense is stout, and features some of the best talent ever to be had for Mountain Football in the linebacking and secondary units. The Warriors offensive line has also paved the way for 3,477 yards rushing, good for second overall in the central section and #21 overall in the state. It should be a monumental game at Coy Burnett Field, and one of the can’t-miss events in Tehachapi this year. Tehachapi will be gunning for their ninth section title, and first since 2003.       Be sure to dress warm, and see you at the championship this Friday.
	Game will be at home Despite some rumors flying around about the venue for the championship game, the CIF Championship will be played at home between the Warriors and the Trojans. There is a CIF standing rule that their must be a stadium capacity to seat enough fans for the big game, and Tehachapi has vowed to make that a reality for this Friday night. “We have talked with Mayor Ed Grimes and the city, and we will have enough stadium seating to accommodate the fans for this game,” said Tehachapi High Assistant Principal Ed Cheek. “We have been given the green light to use stadium seating from the Rodeo grounds so we should have more than enough. See everyone at Coy Burnett this Friday night.”
	Chase for the Trio-1K In the chase for the Trio-1K, Kelly Lorenz, Josh Strauss, and Adam Mullen are trying to become the first Tehachapi backs to rush for 1,000 yards or more apiece in one season of football. So far, Lorenz has reached the milestone with 1,037 yards rushing to his credit. For Mullen to reach 1,000, he would need 53 yards rushing against Foothill and Josh Strauss would need 29 yards on the ground.
	Congrats to Coach Denman Head Coach Steve Denman became the winningest head coach in Kern County history in the Warriors playoff victory over Highland. Denman has amassed a record of 222-87-4 in 26 years as Tehachapi’s head man. The previous mark was held by Foothill’s Ned Permenter, who had a record of 220-57-9 from 1965-2001 before hanging up the whistle.
	CIF CENTRAL SECTION DIVISION BRACKET (FOOTBALL) DIVISION I DIVISION II DIVISION III (Tehachapi no.1 seed) DIVISION IV (Taft no.1 seed) DIVISION V (Bakersfield Christian no.2 seed)
	Be sure to tune in frequently to get the latest new, highlights, and commentary!  Be sure to check out the 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!