DENAIR – In the end, Friday night’s Southern League showdown between visiting Mariposa and Denair high schools came down to two time-consuming drives.
Following a Grizzlies drive that chewed up 7 minutes, 14 seconds off the clock and cut the Coyotes’ 13-point lead to six, the hosts responded by essentially running out the clock with a drive that lasted 6:16 and held on for a 26-20 victory.
With the win, Denair (6-1) grabs sole possession of first place in the conference at 4-0, while Mariposa (5-2) suffers its first SL setback of the season and drops to 3-1 in league action.
“I don’t want to say we’re in the driver’s seat,” said head coach Anthony Armas. “In this league, anybody is capable of beating you.”
Armas, who guided the Coyotes to a CIF state title in 2018, was being a gentleman. His team absolutely gained the inside track to the SL crown Friday. Denair, which shared the league title with Mariposa and Stone Ridge Christian in 2025, finishes the regular season with games against Modesto Christian, Delhi, and Waterford – teams that entered Friday’s play with a combined two victories this season.
Trailing 26-13 with 1:30 to play in the third quarter, Mariposa took possession at its own 25 and embarked on a 16-play drive that ended with 6:20 left in the fourth quarter when the aptly named Rusty Bull – who bulled his way for 190 rushing yards on 25 carries – waltzed in the from the 1 to make it 26-20.
Denair began the ensuing possession on its own 31 with 6:16 left in the game. The Coyotes marched 47 yards to the Grizzlies’ 22 before turning the ball over on downs with five ticks on the clock.
Mariposa set up for a desperation pass, but quarterback Austin Battles was chased out of the pocket, and eventually out of bounds, by junior defensive end Victor Sarmiento.
“I knew there wasn’t much time,” said Sarmiento. “I just wanted to keep the pressure on to make sure he didn’t turn up field or get off a clean throw.”
Denair led 13-7 at the break and scored on the opening drive of the second half – junior John Wilmoth busted in from 7 yards out – to make it 19-7.
The Grizzlies countered with a 24-yard pass from Battles to Bull to make it 19-13 with 2:39 remaining in the third quarter.
Two plays later, Denair fullback Connor Hart broke free for a 58-yard touchdown to once again make it a two-score margin.
“I was just waiting for my shot,” said Hart. “I got the ball, I saw everybody going down, and I just hit the gas.”
Hart, who also plays middle linebacker, figures to be plenty sore this morning after the punishment he took and the punishment he dished out.
“I’m already feeling it right now,” said Hart. “They’re all physical over there, but (Bull) is a workhorse.”
Hart finished the game with 134 yards on 10 carries and the long TD, while backfield mate Noah Chavez ran the ball 13 times for 122 yards and one score, which gave the Coyotes a 7-0 lead with 3:42 to play in the first quarter.
“I really appreciate our offensive line,” said Chavez. “I was so impressed. It seemed like every time I ran there was a wide-open tunnel.”
Center Jose Mora said he knew the offensive line was going to have to perform at its peak against Mariposa’s big, physical defensive front.
“I knew everything was going to come down to offensive line,” said Mora. “We wanted to get extra yards for Noah and Connor and John, and we wanted to give Derek (Potter) time to pass.”
Potter completed four of his seven attempts for 36 yards and carried the ball three times for 30 yards.
