Anthony Armas has had a love affair with Disneyland most of his life, which is why before every football season (except for the COVID-influenced years of 2020, 2021 and 2022) he has arranged for his Denair High players and coaches to visit the theme park together.

This year, 23 of Armas’ 27 players accompanied him to Disneyland in mid-July. They spent parts of two days traveling and two full days in the park.

“Football is a tough sport,” he explained. “It’s just a team-bonding experience and a chance to get out and have some fun. The kids enjoy it.”

Unfortunately, the magical memories generated from the self-proclaimed “Happiest Place on Earth” haven’t translated to success on the football field recently.

Since winning the state Division VII championship in 2019, the Denair program has fallen on hard times. In the past four seasons, the Coyotes are a combined 6-26. Denair didn’t lack talent; it lacked bodies. The past two years, Armas started with fewer than 20 players and watched as injuries inevitably thinned his roster even more. It wasn’t unusual for Denair to have more assistant coaches than reserve players on the sidelines in many games.

But this season – which kicks off Saturday night at Big Valley Christian in Modesto — is starting out differently. The Coyotes have 27 players – enough so the team can actually practice 11-on-11 for the first time in many years. There is actual depth, meaning Armas can rest players during games.

“It’s nice to have a first string and second string,” he said. “It means we can rotate guys. We’re finally getting through that COVID stuff. It really nuked our numbers.”

Still, the Coyotes will be young. There are 10 seniors, 15 juniors and two sophomores on the team.

One of those sophomores is quarterback Derek Potter, a left-hander “with a strong arm and good touch,” according to Armas. “He’s the kind of kid you like to coach.”

Potter will be joined in the backfield in Denair’s run-heavy Wing-T offense by backs Jesse Ruelas (a senior) and juniors Degan Butler and Alex Vargas. Opening holes for that group and protecting Potter will be senior right guard Even Coronel, right tackle Eduardo Zacharias and tight end Ernesto Silva, a junior who played last year as a sophomore.

Armas said the offense “didn’t miss any assignments” at last week’s four-way scrimmage with Riverbank, Franklin, Stone Ridge Christian in Riverbank, but he was most excited about his young defense.

“I thought we did well,” he said. “I’ll always say we need to get better, but our defensive line looked really good and our defense didn’t give up a score the entire night.”

Armas said the Coyotes’ defensive leaders include linemen Brody McFarland (a junior), Jose Mora (a sophomore) and Coronel as well as junior middle linebacker Degan Butler and junior safety Sebastian Esquivel.

The Coyotes’ schedule features four non-league games – this week at Big Valley, then home against Summerville on Aug. 30, at Bret Harte the following week and home against Pajaro Valley of Watsonville on Sept. 13. 

The revamped Southern League opens play on Sept. 20 with Denair on the road against the newest SL member – Stone Ridge Christian of Merced.

The Knights join SL holdovers Gustine, Mariposa, Waterford, Delhi and Le Grand on Denair’s schedule. Gone this year to the Trans-Valley League are Orestimba and Ripon Christian.

“Orestimba and RC were too big; they outgrew us,” said Armas. “As far as the rest of us, I really think everyone has a chance. It’s kind of even across the board. … We’re excited about the season.”

Family: Parents, Monica Ahlbrandt and George Walls; brother, Curtis Walls 

School: Denair Middle School

Subject taught: Seventh- and eighth-grade English

Experience and education: Modesto Junior College and CSU Stanislaus. I worked as a teacher’s assistant at Hickman School, I did my student teaching at Waterford Junior High School and I was a substitute teacher with the Stanislaus County Office of Education.  

What attracted you to Denair? I have always liked Denair as a community. I am local to the valley and had to play Denair in sports throughout my childhood. I always thought the people were kind, the facilities were well-kept and the environment was positive. As a substitute teacher, I had the opportunity to substitute in Denair. The students were very polite and the staff were very friendly. 

What most inspires you about teaching? I enjoy getting to see the students finally understanding a concept with which they were struggling. Seeing the students be proud of overcoming a challenge inspires me to continue this work. 

What is a challenge you look forward to tackling this year? I am looking forward to trying to inspire the joy of reading and writing into students who may not be interested in the subject.

What is your favorite teaching tool or activity? I love having discussions about a text by breaking down the author’s reasons for including various details. Having the students engage in a conversation about the text allows me to hear their point of view and ensure that they are thinking critically. 

What do you want your students to remember? Do not be afraid to voice your opinion. Everyone has a perspective worth exploring. 

How can parents support what you do? Check Google Classroom for updates. Ask your child what they think about what they are reading in class. 

What would surprise people about your job? We are always trying to learn the best way to teach others. We never stop trying to improve our practice. 

What do you do for fun? I enjoy going to concerts. I love to go to the beach whenever possible. However, most of my time is spent watching movies and TV shows that went off the air 10 years ago.

Family: Husband, Brad; daughter Paige; son Damon; and three beautiful grandchildren; Ava, Adleigh, and Jaxxton

School: Denair High School

Subject taught: EMT 1, digital photography and CCAP

Experience and education: I’ve been an employee of DUSD for 23 years, including 18 years at DHS as campus Supervisor. I went to Turlock High School. I have my AA in criminal justice from Modesto Junior College, a BA in criminal justice with a concentration in juvenile justice from California State University Stanislaus, and I am currently a student at Teachers College of San Joaquin.

What attracted you to Denair? My kids started school at Denair Elementary 23 years ago and after volunteering in various positions, I was offered a permanent position. The leadership, family atmosphere and home-like feeling has kept me coming back year after year. I couldn’t see myself anywhere else.

What most inspires you about teaching? What has always inspired me about working with kids and will

continue in my role as a teacher, is making kids feel welcome, feel special and seeing success in those

who felt lost.

What is a challenge you look forward to tackling this year? As a new teacher, I am expecting challenges

but with the help of my amazing administration and teachers, I plan to tackle any challenge that comes

my way.

What is your favorite teaching tool or activity? Activities that consist of working together as a team with other students.

What do you want your students to remember? High school is a very short time in your life, enjoy it! Try new things, get involved, ask for help and do your best!

How can parents support what you do? Parents can support me and your child by checking in with your kids’ education daily. Ask questions, get involved and always feel free to reach out with questions.

What would surprise people about your job? The most challenging students just want to be loved. Teachers who care, don’t give up.

What do you do for fun? For fun I love going to San Francisco Giants baseball games with my family, camping, shopping and playing with my grandchildren.

Family: Wife, Erin Potter; son, Carson Potter; daughter, Elle Potter; stepson, Degan Butler; stepdaughter, Brynna Butler.

School: Denair High School

Subject taught: Science.

Experience and education: I have degrees from Merced College, Grand Canyon University and Stanislaus State. I was in the U.S. Air Force, worked as dispatcher for the Turlock Police Department and spent the past four years as a paraeducator for Denair Unified.

What attracted you to Denair? I was born and raised in Denair. After I separated from the military, I wanted to pursue a career in service.  While studying to take my nursing boards, I began working as a 1 on 1 paraeducator at Denair Middle School and absolutely loved my Job.  I realized that a career in education and being a part of Denair Unified was the path I wanted to take. I have coached Denair Lions Youth Football and several Denair Middle School sports.  I was the vice president of the Denair High School Sports Boosters for two years.  I am committed to the Denair Unified School district and the community.

What most inspires you about teaching? The most inspiring thing about teaching for me is when students enjoy the class and smile while they learn. 

What is a challenge you look forward to tackling this year?  Completing our learning pathway and working in the lab to give the students engaging activities that complement the classroom lessons. Labs will be the most challenging and rewarding mission this year. 

What is your favorite teaching tool or activity? Presentations and student engagement.  I want the students to ask questions. I prefer active engagement versus passive engagement in the material.  

What do you want your students to remember? I want my students to remember that school, and especially science, is fun.  

How can parents support what you do? Contact me with any questions they have. I do not give homework. We complete all our assignments in class so I can be there to assist them with any questions.  The best way that parents can support what I do is to talk with their child during dinner, ask them about science or anything else. Take the time they would be doing homework and play a game as a family or just visit with them and spend time with them.  

What would surprise people about your job? How much time is spent outside the classroom and outside the workday preparing. Not because I have to, but because I want to. 

What do you do for fun?  I love spending time with my family. I enjoy hiking and backpacking, and I also like to go on long motorcycle rides.