KNIGHT KNOCKDOWN Warriors flex their muscle against overmatched LA Baptist

Posted 09-01-07

TEHACHAPI NEWS - It wasn’t quite over before it started, but after a three-touchdown first-quarter the game was all but in the books as Tehachapi cruised to a 33-6 home game victory over Los Angeles Baptist last Friday night.

After forcing a punt on the Knights first possession on offense, the Warriors took the field from their own 42-yard line, and proceeded to march down the field and cap their drive with a six yard Adam Mullen touchdown run. The Warriors would score again on their next offensive series, this time on a six-yard catch by Garrett Coontz from Ehren Ochsenrider.

Ochsenrider produced a second-straight solid outing for Tehachapi, going 4-6 for 48 yards and a touchdown.

The game tide turned more into Tehachapi’s favor later in the first quarter when Alek Taliulu intercepted a pass at the Warriors 41 yard line and darted down to the Knight seven yard line to set up Mountain Football’s third touchdown, a five-yard run by Kelly Lorenz.

The Warriors Garrett Coontz and Damian Rodriguez also had interceptions in the game, while Tehachapi also recovered two fumbles and sacked the Knight’s quarterback five times.

On offense, the Warriors racked up 209 yards rushing, led by a 10-carry 78 yard night by Josh Strauss, who also scored in the fourth quarter, and a 46 yard performance by Adam Mullen on five attempts. Matt Henry sparked the Tehachapi offense late in the game, taking three carries for 35 yards.

In the passing game Shawn Pimentel had two catches for 41 yards, including a diving first-down plunge in the opening half of the game on a fourth and nine situation.

Tehachapi was plagued with 10 penalties for 105 yards in the contest, with three of the yellow flags taking back touchdown runs by Kelly Lorenz, Josh Strauss, and Franky Rodriguez at various stages of the game.

The Warriors will be at home against this Friday night against Burroughs-Ridgecrest, who suffered a 29-7 loss to Paraclete-Lancaster last week. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. at Coy Burnett Field.

SSL Scores – Week 2

Tehachapi 33, LA Baptist 6

Taft 38, Ridgeview 6

Bakersfield Christian 60, Fresno Christian 0

Delano 38, Shafter 0

Foothill 28, Arvin 11

Wasco 45, McFarland 8

Hit and Fly!

MOUNTAIN MEDIA VIDEO Game-By-Game Video Highlights

	BRAVES PUMMEL LA BAPTIST, 55-0 The Braves offense registered 363 yards rushing on offense and forcing seven turnovers on defense in a 55-0 blowout win over Los Angeles Baptist. Tehachapi’s Max Clark was the leading rusher in the contest, taking five carries for 143 yards that included a 95 yard touchdown run for Tehachapi’s fifth score of the afternoon. Clark also had a 69-yard run for a touchdown but it was called back on a holding penalty. On defense John Cramer opened up his first junior varsity game of the year in impressive fashion, registering nine tackles on defense, a fumble recovery, an interception, and a sack, while also chipping in with 50 yards rushing and a 41-yard touchdown run. Other standout performers on defense included Zach Maravigili and Dougan Patience with five tackles each, Matt Santos with three tackles, and Jesse Olofson, Niko Taliulu, Clint Heinzler, and Brennen Davis with multiple tackle nights. Justin Perry had eight carries for 54 yards and two scores in the game, while Cal Weeks had five carries for 54 yards and Jesse Olofson five carries for 41 yards and two touchdowns. In the passing game, Chris Rush and Ben Hanley hooked up for a pass conversion for 22 yards. Collecting turnovers in the game where Nick Howell, Matt Anderson, John Roemer, and John Cramer with interceptions, while Zach Maravigili and Cramer had fumble recoveries. Howell also had Tehachapi’s first touchdown of the game on a 12-yard run in the first quarter. In underclassmen football games this week, the Freshman Indians will be on the road at Ridgecrest this Thursday while the Braves will play at home this Friday. Both games will start at 5 p.m.
	DENMAN IS STILL WITH THE BUCS There have been a lot of swirling stories out there about Tehachapi's favorite son, Chris Denman, and his status as an offensive tackle with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Regardless of what you have seen or read on any other site, Denman is still alive and well on the team...technically speaking. The Bucs placed Denman on extended injured reserve (to keep his rights) due to a broken finger suffered in Tampa Bay's pre-season finale against the Houston Texans.  Overall the situation works out great for Denman, who was a strong practice squad candidate before the injury.  Being on IR, he actually gets a little more money and has full autonomy to use the Tampa Bay facilities throughout the regular season to rehab the finger and fully digest his first year in the NFL. Stay tuned for an exclusive Q&A with Chris Denman in an upcoming issue of The Tehachapi News.
	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!