W.A.R. XXXIV  Warriors against Rams set for 34th meeting

RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD - The Tehachapi Warriors will look to avenge two-consecutive defeats against Garces this Friday at Sam Tobias Field. The Rams come into the game as the defending CIF Central Section Division III champions.

Posted 08-19-07

TEHACHAPI NEWS - For the second straight season, Tehachapi is playing one of the earliest games in the central valley and the opponent for the second-straight year is non-other than long-time rival Garces.

In season’s past, a date against the Rams has predominantly been a final regular-season game often deciding the victor of a league title, but those days are now gone with Garces now a vested member of the Southeast Yosemite League.

A league title is no longer on the line and both teams may have branched off in different directions, but it shouldn’t affect this Friday night’s energy level at Sam Tobias Field in Bakersfield.

Garces comes into the contest leading the season series against Tehachapi with a record of 16-15-2 in 33 games played dating all the way back to 1946.

Last season, the Rams torched the Warriors 33-7, which ended up being the beginning of an eventual Division III Central Section CIF championship for the Rams with a victory over Foothill in the finals at Liberty High School last December.

On paper the firepower is gone from Garces, with two of the best runningbacks last season in Xavier Tavorn and Tommy Barron lost to graduation, and shifty option quarterback Steven McDermott a newly anointed alumni as well.

The Rams will look to replace their senior utility with quarterback Luc Cauzza, younger brother of alumni Jake Cauzza who was the starting quarterback for the Rams in a 21-3 loss to Tehachapi on the Mountain in 2004.

Also looking to contribute behind center for Garces is senior Mark Gisbertz and last season junior varsity quarterback Chase Wright, who was the starting QB in a 20-7 loss to the Tehachapi Braves in 2006.

 Returning to the Rams are 23 seniors that were on the squad last season, but most of that talent is unknown because of the vested talent by the 2006 team. Players who should emerge from the fold however are Cooper Thompson and Michael Berry, who both had very productive years in the running game with 515 yards rushing and eight touchdowns combined last season.

On defense, Garces should also be set in the secondary, with Thompson, Cauzza, and Joe Jannino having two or more interceptions apiece last year at their respective positions.

This game against Garces will be an important one, and should play a pivotal role in CIF playoff implications even though it is so early in the season. The victor this Friday night should have an early push on a favorable seed in the playoff bracket (Division III) in November.

Tehachapi vs. Garces to open the 2007 prep-football season. Let there be football!

Hit and Fly!

MOUNTAIN MEDIA VIDEO Game-By-Game Video Highlights

	FOOTHILL SCRIMMAGE It was an early test for the Mountain Defense and post game analysis give the Warriors a passing grade. Foothill, boasting the return of two of the most dynamic players in the valley in running back Eric Jones and wide receiver Randy Davenport, faced a surprisingly stifling defense from Tehachapi that netted only one TD score, coming late in the scrimmage against Warrior reserves. “I liked our intensity, our aggressiveness,” said Warrior head coach Steve Denman. “It’s early and we have some things to work on but we like what we saw from the defense and we just need to keep it going.” The scrimmage format featured four 15-play series from both the Warrior defense and offense, with the first teams on both sides of the ball taking the field in the first and third stanzas. The Warrior second team and position rotation took the field in the second and fourth series. Highlighting play for the Warriors was a phantom touchdown by Adam Mullen on the Warriors first series on defense, with Mullen scooping up a lateral in the open backfield that would have most likely ended in a Tehachapi touchdown in an actual-game situation. Overall, Josh Strauss finished as the Warriors leading rusher with three carries for 36 yards with Alek Taliulu close behind with two attempts for 13 yards. On defense, Tehachapi recorded seven total sacks, keeping the Trojans out of the endzone most of the afternoon. Foothill eventually found pay dirt on their fourth-series, capping a drive that was set up on a bootleg run by the Foothill quarterback to the 10-yard line. Up next for the Warriors is a date with Garces, set to commence this Friday night at Sam Tobias Field in Bakersfield. “The season is starting this week, it’s upon us,” added Denman. “If we avoid mental errors and mistakes we should be fine but we have a tough test ahead of us."
	On Wednesday, Aug-29 the Booster Club will hold a first-annual fall-season kick-off dinner at the THS cafeteria. Cost of the meal will be $10, and will include a steak-dinner with all the trimmings. This dinner will also be the selection of the “green seats” at football games (seats from the 35 yard-line in). If there are any Mountain Football fans interested in reserving their season-seats please make sure and attend!  Annual Warrior Booster membership will also be available, which is $35 and includes a complementary 2007-2008 season t-shirt and hat. All proceeds  will benefit Tehachapi High School athletics. For information on these events or any other Booster Club inquiries, contact President Chuck Hansen at 823-9870 or hansen587@sbcglobal.net.
	Tehachapi will be flooding the air-waves again this season against Stockdale on Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.  KERN Radio 1410 will be broadcasting the game live, with play-by-play announcer and Tehachapi Warrior Alumni Corey Costelloe calling the action. To tune in to Kern 1410 from the internet, log onto http://www.kernradio.com/
	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!