
Running backs Bryson Salazar and Degan Butler each rushed for more than 100 yards, leading Denair High School to a 42-21 non-conference victory over McClatchy (Sacramento) on Friday night at Jack Lytton Stadium.
Overall, Salazar carried the ball eight times for 113 yards and four touchdowns, while Butler finished with 106 yards on 10 attempts.
Quarterback Derek Potter attempted only four passes in the contest but completed three of them for 71 yards. Running back Connor Hart, who wasn’t that far from topping the 100-yard plateau himself, carried the ball eight times for 77 yards.
All told, the trio of Salazar, Butler, and Hart amassed 296 yards on 26 carries — good for 11.4 yards per attempt.
At 5-10 and 155 pounds, Salazar is the speedster of the trio, while the 5-11, 195-pound Butler is the bruiser. Hart, at 5-9 and 175 pounds, is a combination of speedster and bruiser.
“I think all three are capable of being ‘the guy,’” said Denair head coach Anthony Armas. “It depends a lot on what the defense decides to focus on.”
Salazar gave the Coyotes (2-1) a 6-0 lead with his 4-yard run in the first quarter.
After McClatchy (2-1) grabbed a 7-6 advantage, Potter hooked up with Butler on a 13-yard scoring strike to give the Coyotes a 14-7 lead — one they wouldn’t relinquish.
Salazar scored on a 1-yard plunge in the second quarter to make it 21-7, and Potter cashed in on an 8-yard scramble to make it 29-7 at the break.
Salazar opened the second-half scoring with an 18-yard run that made it 35-7. Following a TD by the Lions that trimmed the deficit to 22 points, Salazar struck again, this time from 12 yards out, to make it 42-13.
“Our execution is getting better, and we limited the mistakes this week,” said Armas. “The offense had zero turnovers, and our defense did a good job of corralling their quarterback and skill players.”
The Coyotes will see action again on Saturday at 2 p.m. when they make their longest road trip of the season — a 100-mile trek to Watsonville — to face Pajaro Valley (1-1).
Denair will open Southern League action the following week when it entertains undefeated Stone Ridge Christian (Merced), which has a bye this Friday night.