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WARRIORS SCOUTING REPORT
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Posted by editor Wed Nov 30, -0001 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments The playoffs are full of excitement, anticipation and drama for all that are involved, but just in case you felt that there was not quite enough, we have a CIF Division III Section semifinal match-up between long-time rivals Tehachapi and Garces.
Whoa Nellie.

Tehachapi started off their season on a great note by taking down Garces in the first game of the season back in August in a 28-13 count, but if you ask the Rams, they have vastly improved since that game.

Even of more significance to note, they have no intention of laying down to the Warriors the second time around, with so much more on the line. The Ogilvie Bowl is a great atmosphere, but this is the playoffs, and it is one game away from the CIF championship.

While the Ogilvie Trophy will serve as a staple between Tehachapi and Garces throughout the ages, I think there is little argument that the CIF title hardware is a bit more coveted.

Despite not having the same look as a season ago in Xavier Tavorn, Steven McDermott and Tommy Barron melting through opposing defenses in the Garces wing, the Rams have found their own way of winning, and their own style.

Luc Cauzza has been a force at his quarterback position and ran wild last week against Golden Valley in a 51-25 drubbing. Cauzza is one of the most viable threats that the Rams have in the running game, with 644 yards rushing to his credit and seven touchdowns. Cauzza also has 1,391 yards passing on the season, with six receivers recording in the century mark in reception yardage.

Cooper Thompson, who saw limited action in Tehachapi’s first meeting after going out of the game with an injury, also had a return to form last week with three touchdowns and 116 yards rushing, while Vincent Phillips is a great speed-sweep back with 13 scores on the year. Michael Berry is also a great between-the-tackles bruiser/cut-back runner in the arsenal with over 300 yards rushing on the season.

For Tehachapi to win, they will need to play mistake-free and avoid the penalties and turnovers that plagued them in last week’s victory against Highland.

Ironically, the Garces winning style that led them to a CIF Division III championship in 2006 mirrors much like what Tehachapi has this season, with Kelly Lorenz, Josh Strauss and Adam Mullen providing three effective styles for opposing defenses to try and stop. The three backs have run for nearly an identical amount of yardage on the year, with Lorenz (918), Strauss (908) and Mullen (890) helping Tehachapi to one of the most potent running offenses in the nation, and the potential to become the first trio of running backs to rush for 1,000 yards for Tehachapi in the same season.

Tehachapi’s offense is also more balanced than it has been in years, with Ehren Ochsenrider completing 37 passes for 607 yards and eight touchdowns, hitting six different players for scores.

On defense, the Warriors are tops in the Central Section with 20 interceptions as a team, led by a strong secondary that features Garrett Coontz, Jeff Waldram, Josh Schulgen and Franky Rodriguez. Linebackers and down-lineman Alek Taliulu, Derek Lange, Jonathan Perrien, Marcus Abarquez, and Louie Olofson are also some of the best run stoppers in the business.

More than any other game this season, this is the one to be at. The overall series is tied 16-16-1 between these two schools, with the victor not only getting a chance to play for a title next week, but have the all-time series in their school’s favor.
Head down to Coy Burnett stadium this Friday night at 7 p.m. to see football at its very best.

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