Tehachapi News

Mountain Football Scouting Report

larger view

The Ogilvie Trophy is officially on the line again.

For two storied programs, the connections are eerily similar. In a name, a distinct comparison between two long-time rivals can be traced back to Coach Gary Ogilvie, who was a standout quarterback and coach for Garces, while also serving as a benchmark coach and advisor for Tehachapi.

You can make the argument that without Coach Ogilvie, the history of Tehachapi or Garces would have gone down much different paths.

So, in tribute to Coach Ogilvie, there is a game between the two schools to celebrate his life, and to the victor, goes a trophy.

Garces is now a vested member of the Southeast Yosemite League after a longtime member of the SSL, where the Warriors and Rams battled for league championships virtually every year in the 90’s.

Both teams may have branched off in different directions, but even without a league title on the line the atmosphere should still be electric this Friday night.
Tehachapi knocked off Garces twice last year, once in the Ogilvie Trophy opening game and again in the Division III section semi’s. With the wins, Tehachapi now leads the all-time series between the two schools (17-16-2) in 35 games dating all the way back to 1946.

Tehachapi comes into the contest with a game already under their belt, while this weekend is the season opener for Garces.

David Fanucchi is in his fifth season as head coach with the Rams, winning a section championship in 2006 and numerous section titles as Garces’s defensive coordinator prior to becoming the head man.

Quarterback Chase Wright will assume the duties behind center, while Riley Scott and sophomore speedster Jalen Sikes is expected to anchor the Garces Wing-T backfield. Wright will also have a lightning quick target at wideout in Matt Sumlin, who was a state qualifier in the 100 meters last track season.

On defense, three-year varsity player Sean McNally will lead a strong linebacking corps in a predominantly 30-stack set. The defense Garces runs is easy to adjust to multiple offensive sets that give linebackers autonomy to read less and play downhill, allowing them to work from an attack mode. The defense also features eight men that can either play the run or pass every down.

For Tehachapi, the Warriors will benefit this week from the return of backfield threat Adam Mullen, who was pulled out of last week’s Segerstrom game for precautionary reasons (sprained MCL).

The Rams come to the Mountain with a new-look team and expect a high-octane affair that will have tradition front-and-center. Tehachapi’s can’t-miss event will be at Coy Burnett stadium this Friday night with a 7:30pm start time. Junior Varisty will be at 5pm (Friday) and Freshmen 5pm (Thursday).