Denair High’s football team gets a lot of notoriety for its high-powered, multiple-threat offense. News flash! The Coyotes’ defense is pretty good, too. Harlan Brown returned an interception 82 yards for a score to break open a close game, and Noah Chavez picked off a pass to seal Denair’s 28-14 win over Stone Ridge Christian in the Southern League opener for both squads Friday night.
The Knights (2-2) entered the contest averaging 34 points per game but were held well below that standard by the Coyotes’ stingy defense. Stone Ridge was driving for a potential game-tying score when Brown’s interception return – and his PAT – made it 28-14 in the fourth quarter. Chavez’s interception came with 1:06 left to play in the game, allowing Denair to take run out the clock.
“Our defense really stood out,” said DHS head coach Anthony Armas “To hold them to 14 points was a huge deal. Coach (Scott) Taylor, our defensive coordinator, and our defensive staff did a great job preparing our guys for this game. It was quite fitting that our defense put the game away with a pick-six and another interception.”
Victor Sarmiento contributed to the effort with three sacks of the Knights’ quarterback. “This was an exciting game, and both teams really battled,” said Armas. “We were really proud of the way our young men played. We executed very well on both sides of the ball.
”Stone Ridge Christian, along with Mariposa, finished in a three-way tie with Denair for the conference title in 2025. The Grizzlies, like the Coyotes, are 3-1 overall this season and 1-0 in league play after a 50-6 win over Gustine. Currently, the Grizzlies are fourth in the MaxPreps Sac-Joaquin Section Division 7 ratings, while the Coyotes are No. 5.
Denair will see action again Friday night when it plays host to Gustine in its homecoming game. Kickoff is slated for 7:15 at Jack Lytton Stadium.
Born in Los Angeles, Adilene Villegas grew up in Central California and attended nearby Livingston High School. Before coming to Denair last month to replace the departing Jasmin Baltazar, who is pursuing an independent business opportunity, Villegas worked in education in several different roles, including as a school registrar and most recently as a school office administrator. “Coming in after the school year has already started has definitely been a learning experience,” said Villegas. “It means jumping right in and learning as I go. But everyone has been very welcoming and helpful. I’m enjoying getting to know the district, learning my new role, and finding ways that I can support our staff, students, families, and community. I’m excited for the year ahead.” Here are few other things you should know about Denair’s newest staff member. Family members: My husband and I have three daughters. We are a very close-knit family, and they are my biggest motivation. Educational background: I earned my associate’s degree in psychology from Merced College and my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Stanislaus State. I look forward to continuing my education in the field of education. New position: Executive assistant to the superintendent. What attracted you to Denair? I was drawn to Denair because it’s a small, close-knit community. I love being part of a district where relationships matter and where you have the opportunity to really get to know the students, families, and staff.
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What most inspires you about working in the educational field? Knowing that the work we do can make a difference in a student’s life. Even when you aren’t working directly in the classroom, there are so many ways to support students and families and help create an environment where they can succeed. What is a challenge you look forward to tackling this year? Learning all the different aspects of my new role and becoming a strong resource for our superintendent, staff, families, and community. There is a lot to learn, but I’m excited to grow into the position. What would you like students to remember about you? That I was kind, approachable, and someone who genuinely cared about them and wanted to see them succeed. What can parents do to support you? Stay connected, communicate, and continue being involved in our schools. I believe strong relationships between families and schools make such a difference for students. What’s something that would surprise people about your job? How many different things happen behind the scenes! From board meetings and district communications to calendars, events, projects, and supporting different departments, every day can look completely different. What do you do for fun? I love spending time with my family, traveling and planning family trips, watching K-dramas, and enjoying anything Disney. One little-known fact about me is … I’m always looking for ways to keep learning and growing, both personally and professionally.
Denair High’s varsity football team lost for the first time this season, falling to Amador 28-20 in the Coyotes’ final non-conference football game.
“Amador is a pretty physical team,” said DHS head coach Anthony Armas. “We were missing four starters this week, and our young men really rallied the troops. We really took on a ‘next-man-up’ mentality and played well.
“Even with the loss, I think we improved as a team. We scheduled Amador because we wanted to face a school that is bigger and one that plays a more physical brand of football. We believe that makes us better for league play and, hopefully, for a playoff run.”
Denair fell behind 7-0 in the first quarter but quickly tied the score on Connor Hart’s 24-yard scoring jaunt, then took a 14-7 lead in the second quarter after Noah Chavez capped a 92-yard drive with his 6-yard touchdown run.
The Coyotes fumbled the kickoff to start the second half, and the Buffaloes capitalized for a 21-14 advantage. Amador stretched the lead to 28-14 in the fourth quarter before Denair cut the margin to 28-20 on Chavez’s 86-yard TD run.
Individually for the Coyotes, Chavez carried the ball 11 times for 140 yards and two scores, while Hart amassed 125 yards and one TD on 16 carries. Quarterback Derek Potter completed 7 of 15 tosses for 134 yards, with three of those completions going to Harlan Brown (80 yards).
“Amador came out running the option (offense), which they didn’t do last year,” said Armas. “There are still some things we need to work on, as we do every season at this time of year, but we were really pleased with the effort of our team Friday night.”
After a bye this week, the Coyotes will open Southern League play on Sept. 25 in Atwater against Stone Ridge Christian (2-1), which tied with Denair and Mariposa for the SL crown last season.
The Knights, after a 23-22 road loss to Pacheco (Los Banos) to start the season, have notched wins against Yosemite (44-40) and 2024 state champ Summerville (35-27).
The Denair Unified School District Board of Trustees heard a presentation Thursday night regarding financing options for the next phase of Measure Z campus improvement projects.
Daisy Swearingen, DUSD’s Chief Business Official, and Khush Gheyara, of CFW Advisory Services, provided historical perspective on the bond measure, updates on completed and upcoming projects, and a look at future bond-issuance options.
Two years ago, Denair voters approved Measure Z, which authorized $34.3 million in general obligation bonds for campus improvements. The district issued its first series of those bonds in December 2024, generating $12.8 million to launch the first series of projects. The centerpiece of Phase 1 was the Denair Elementary Charter Academy cafeteria and gymnasium project, which transformed the west side of the existing gym into a modernized kitchen and multipurpose cafeteria. The new kitchen was ready to use on Day 1 of the 2026-27 school year.
Now, as the district prepares to move into Phase 2, trustees must address the next steps in the financing process even before the projects can go out to bid. Phase 2 calls for construction of two new classroom wings, along with the conversion of the school’s old cafeteria into administrative offices and a library.
It is estimated that the district could issue approximately $7 million at this time,
subject to favorable market forces. Gheyara presented the trustees with four options:
Delay the bond issuance process until 2027
Begin preparing for a bond issuance now, which could close as early as December but could be halted if market conditions falter
Issue a Bond Anticipation Note, a short-term financing option that would be repaid through a future bond issuance; although not recommended, it was presented as one of the available financing alternatives.
Take no action at this time
“In order to maintain momentum on the next phase of the project, we need to begin the process of securing additional funding,” said Swearingen. “Starting the bond issuance process does not obligate the district to complete the issuance if market conditions become unfavorable. Likewise, once funding is secured and the project goes out to bid, the district is not obligated to move forward if the bids come back higher than anticipated.”
The bond-issuance matter will be addressed again at the next Board of Trustees meeting, scheduled for Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.
Also on Thursday, the board unanimously accepted the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee’s 2024-25 annual report. The written report was developed following recommendations included in the 2025-26 Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury report.
The CBOC oversees how the district spends Measure K and Measure Z bond proceeds. Following the Grand Jury review, the district has taken steps to strengthen the committee’s reporting and transparency, including completing a written annual report, improving access to CBOC information on the district website, and continuing efforts to recruit additional community members to serve on the committee.
The trustees welcomed and swore-in Anthony Zavala as the 2026-27 student board member. Zavala, who has attended Denair schools since he was in preschool, replaces the graduated Dakota Shaw.
Courtney Thornhill was one of the most successful softball players in the history of Hughson High School.
The 2015 graduated batted .565 while posting a 21-1 record and a 0.98 earned run average in leading the Huskies to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 5 championship. In fact, the four-year varsity starter won section banners each year she played at HHS, part of an historic “five-peat” by the Huskies.
Thornhill’s experiences as a high school and collegiate athlete have shaped her philosophy as an educator.
“I would say that in any team sport, you have to consider how you’re going to serve the person next to you, and behind you, and in front of you,” said Thornhill, who was a member of the MaxPreps small school all-state team. “That has carried over into my passion for teaching. What can I do for this student, and that student? Because, at the end of the day, it’s not about me. It’s never about ‘you’ when you’re part of a team. I like to think of it as leading by serving.”
Here are some other things to know about Thornhill.
Family members: Two siblings and two amazing parents. My parents have been together for 37 years. My older sister is a cardiologist in Utah, and my brother works for Pitman High School.
Educational background: I played college softball at Vanguard University in Southern California. I received my teaching credential through Teachers College of San Joaquin.
Previous teaching jobs: This will be my third year in Denair Unified School District. But my first year solo/credentialed. I worked as a substitute and a resource fill-in at Denair. Prior to that, I was a preschool teacher and then substitute teacher until I got my credential.
Subject/grades taught at Denair: Extensive special needs teacher.
What attracted you to Denair? The amazing administration and faculty! I experienced a strong foundation of family, integrity, and support that is felt throughout every school site.
What most inspires you about teaching? Knowing that the little things are actually the big things. I love seeing my students make the kind of progress other people might overlook, and helping them become more confident, independent, and understood. At the end of the day, I want my students to leave my classroom knowing they can do hard things and that they’re more capable than they think.
What is a challenge you look forward to tackling this year? The paperwork process.
What is a favorite teaching tool or activity? Dance parties, singing, and working through things as a group. I love creating a classroom where students and staff feel like we’re all on the same team. That connection and collaborating makes learning feel more natural and meaningful.
What do you want your students to remember? That our classroom was a place where they felt safe, included, and enjoyed being. More than anything I want them to remember they belong, they are capable, and they can do hard things.
What can parents do to support you? Open and honest communication. Tell me what’s working at home, what’s not, and anything that might help me understand and support your student better. The more we work together, the better I can show up for them.
What’s something that would surprise people about your job? People might be surprised that my job is about so much more than academics. Some of our biggest wins come from learning everyday life skills, communication, and independence.
What do you do for fun? I love any kind of outdoor activities, working out, and quality time with people I love.
One little-known fact about me is … I will turn almost anything into a song without realizing it.
