Four Denair Cross Country Runners in Sub-Section Meet

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The inaugural cross country season for Denair High began with 15 runners. After three months of competition, four qualified for spots in Saturday’s Sac-Joaquin Sub-Section Meet at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds in Angels Camp.

The Coyotes still competing are:

  • Alex Flores (varsity boys)
  • Seth Martinez (sophomore boys)
  • Danielle Tigner (frosh/soph girls)
  • Johnny Ibarra (freshman boys)

Coach Matthew Groom said he is proud of his small team, which has shown “great improvement” in the course of the season.

“Ibarra was one of the last people to finish the JV race in the first league meet, but through hard work, he improved so much that I moved him up to varsity on the league meets as a freshman,” Groom said. “Tigner improved her time by 3 minutes since her last meet.

“Martinez has finished in the top 15 for the JV boys during the last two league meets (including 9th in the last meet). Not only has Flores improved his times, but he continues to show the leadership qualities that are needed for our team.  The other runners follow his lead and he has represented the school well.”

Saturday, Flores will run the 5-kilometer grass, dirt and cement course known as Frogtown. The fairgrounds are the site of the famous Jumping Frog competition each spring, inspired by the famous Mark Twain short story. Martinez, Tigner and Ibarra will compete on the slightly shorter two-mile layout in the foothills.

Denair runs in Division V, which includes all high schools with enrollment of 600 or less.

For varsity, the top 10 teams and the top 10 individuals not on those teams will qualify for the Sac-Joaquin Section race in Folsom next week.  For all other levels, the top six teams and 10 individuals not on those teams will qualify.

Denair’s March Toward Playoffs Continues With Hard-Fought 26-12 Victory at Mariposa

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As frustrated as Denair coach Anthony Armas was with his offense after six first-half turnovers Friday night, he was equally delighted with his defense. He had a choice to make during the break: Criticize the offense or heap praise on the defense? Because, as everyone is well aware by now, those are the same players thanks to the Coyotes’ small but tenacious roster.

“It is weird sometimes,” Armas admitted. “I want to say something to one group, but then I realize they’re the same kids playing both ways.”

Armas settled for a reminder about ball security when Denair was on offense and told the Coyotes to keep doing what they had been doing on defense. The result? Denair rallied from a 6-0 halftime deficit against Mariposa, using three touchdowns by Justin Steeley to outlast the Grizzlies 26-12.

The hard-earned victory – which came on the road on a field Denair has had little success on – moved the Coyotes one step closer to an improbable spot in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI playoffs. Denair is 4-2 in the Southern League (tied with Delhi and Gustine for second place) and 6-3 overall.

A victory at home this week in the regular-season finale against Waterford almost assuredly would clinch a playoff spot for Denair, despite playing with 12 to 16 players most of the season.

“We told the kids a few weeks ago that our playoffs had already started,” said Armas, a Denair graduate in his second year as head coach. “We figured we had to run the table in order to have a chance.”

Orestimba (8-1 overall, 6-0 in the SL) already has clinched the league championship and one of the SL’s two automatic berths. The other spot comes down to Denair, Delhi and Gustine – and Denair appears to have the edge there. Continue reading “Denair’s March Toward Playoffs Continues With Hard-Fought 26-12 Victory at Mariposa” »

Underdog Denair Strikes Again, Hands Delhi First Loss

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Those who underestimate the Denair football team do so at their own peril, as formerly unbeaten Delhi found out the hard way Friday night.

Fueled by a raucous homecoming crowd, the hard running of Justin Steeley and a defense flying all over the field at Jack Lytton Stadium, Denair played arguably its best game of the season. The Coyotes posted their third shutout in four games, winning 14-0 and positioning themselves for what once seemed like an improbable playoff spot with two games remaining.

Despite suiting up just 15 players, Denair dominated the Hawks, forcing seven turnovers on defense and doing just enough on offense with a backup quarterback to make Steeley’s two touchdown runs hold up.

As a result, Denair (5-3 overall, 3-2 in the Southern League) is poised to compete for one of the league’s berths in the Division VI playoffs. Victories this week at Mariposa (2-3) and at home in the season finale against Waterford (1-4) almost certainly would assure the Coyotes of a playoff game.

“We’re not going to shy away from it,” said Denair coach Anthony Armas when asked about the postseason. “That’s been the goal from the get go. We’re really focused on the next two games. …. I have a feeling if we get 7-3, we’d been in, but I don’t know how the CIF does it.”

Orestimba, which is a Division V school based on its enrollment, leads the Southern League at 5-0. It plays at Delhi (4-1) this week, then finishes against longtime rival Gustine (4-1). Delhi has Orestimba, then plays at Ripon Christian (1-4).

Depending upon who beats who, Denair could finish anywhere from tied for first place to fifth. What Armas does know is the Coyotes control their own destiny.

If they play as well against Mariposa and Waterford as they did against Delhi, the playoffs will be a fitting reward.

“Our defense was lights out,” Armas praised. “It was a really good team effort.” Continue reading “Underdog Denair Strikes Again, Hands Delhi First Loss” »

Denair High Celebrates 2016 Homecoming

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Denair High School celebrated its 2016 football homecoming with a community parade on Friday afternoon. The procession started Down Coyote Way to Denair Elementary Charter Academy, turning down Fresno Street, before returning to the High School. The Denair High School Band led the parade followed by FFA, the team Moms, the homecoming court, class floats, and the football teams and cheerleaders. A photo gallery is available for your viewing pleasure.