Not that anyone living in Denair is ever likely to forget, but there now is a vivid reminder on a busy downtown corner of the community’s state championship football team. Earlier this month, four players from that team worked with Denair High art teacher John Stavrianoudakis and Denair alum Hector Obando to design and paint a mural on the side of a former gas station at the corner of Main Street and Sante Fe Avenue. The painters were Carlo Morales, Steffin Winston, Elvis Silva and Austin Richards – all current or former students in Stavrianoudakis’ art classes.

It is just the latest way to commemorate Denair’s amazing rise in football last fall. The Coyotes (12-1) – whose only loss to Ripon Christian cost them the Southern League title – crushed everyone in their way once the Division VII playoffs began. Their historic streak culminated with a 42-14 victory over Santee of Los Angeles for the state title.