Denair High handily defeated Le Grand 49-28 in a Southern League contest last Friday night,
setting up a clash that against Mariposa that will likely decide the conference title.
Both teams enter the showdown with matching 5-1 overall records, and 3-0 in SL action.
The aptly named Connor Hart – he was the heart of the Denair attack – turned in a solid two-
way performance as the Coyotes dominated the Bulldogs.
The senior running back carried the ball 17 times for 147 yards (8.7 per attempt) and two
scores, while delivering four solo tackles, nine assisted tackles, a sack, and an interception that
he returned for a touchdown late in the first half.
Junior John Wilmoth was even more effective out of the backfield, totaling 146 yards and one
TD on eight totes (18.3 per carry). Defensively, Wilmoth had five solo tackles and one assist.
Senior Noah Chavez had 77 yards and score on eight attempts (9.6), with three solo tackles and
four assists on defense.
Senior quarterback Derek Potter connected on three of his four pass attempts for 98 yards and
two scores – both to Harlan Brown, who had two receptions for 93 yards.
Additional defensive standouts were junior Ulices Flores (two sacks) and sophomore Nolan
Peardon (three solo tackles, two assists, a sack, and a fumble recovery).
“The key for us Friday was executing,” said head coach Anthony Armas. “We didn't execute as
well as we would have liked the previous week against Gustine. We knew we needed to come
out against Le Grand and do what we do – play fast, play physical, and execute.”

2

The loss for Le Grand (3-3) was its first in conference play, leaving Denair and Mariposa atop
the conference standings.
The teams have played two common opponents: league foe Gustine and Amador (Sutter
Creek). Denair slipped past the Gustine 23-16, while Mariposa blasted the Reds 50-6. Both
teams lost close contests to Amador, with Denair falling 28-20 at Jack Lytton Stadium and the
Grizzlies losing 29-28 on the road.
According to the MaxPreps ratings system, Mariposa is No. 413 in California while Denair is
463rd. The Coyotes’ five victories have come against opponents with an average MaxPreps
rating of just over 800, while Mariposa’s victories have come against teams with an average just
below 900.
“Our players are looking forward to the game with Mariposa,” said Armas. “We had two really
tough, exciting games with them last year. Both teams seem to bring out the best in each
other.”
Denair fell to Mariposa 24-23 in overtime during their 2025 regular-season matchup but came
back to avenge that loss with a 33-28 victory over the Grizzlies in the first round of the Sac-
Joaquin Section Division 7 playoffs.
“Mariposa is always a very physical team and they're well coached,” added Armas. “They're
pretty darn good at every aspect of the game, so it's hard to say one thing about Mariposa
concerns us. I think our biggest concern every week is always us – making sure we're prepared,
try to be as healthy as possible, and execute as best we can. Everything else usually takes care
of itself.”