Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Teachable moments. Learning from mistakes and finding a way to better execute complicated football concepts.

That’s been the consistent message from first-year coach Anthony Armas and his staff to a young Denair High football team. And though the Coyotes’ record in the top-loaded Southern League may not show it, there have been signs of improvement even during a five-game losing streak.

Friday’s 46-40 loss to Le Grand was the latest example.

Denair used a powerful ground attack to build a 28-20 halftime lead at Jack Lytton Stadium. After the teams traded scores in the third quarter, the Coyotes still clung to a 40-39 midway through the final period.

But a fumble near midfield proved to be Denair’s undoing. Le Grand marched to what proved to be the winning score with about two minutes left on the clock. The Coyotes got the ball back one final time, but couldn’t make enough plays to drive for the go-ahead points.

“The kids were pretty devastated,” said Armas. “The game went back and forth. We couldn’t stop them and they couldn’t stop us. We just turned it over too many times.”

In addition to the final fumble, Denair also suffered an interception. It was the only pass the Coyotes (2-7, 1-5) threw all night.

Justin Steeley, Juan Barrera and Chase Pritt took turns running for yardage much of the game behind some nice blocks by their offensive linemen.

Barrera later left the game after reinjuring his knee. “Juan’s pretty banged up,” Armas admitted.

After getting roughed up by the Southern League’s powerhouses – Gustine, Orestimba, Ripon Christian and Mariposa – Denair found an equal in Le Grand (2-7, 2-4).

“We’re getting healthier along the offensive line,” Armas said. “That helps.”

The season – which began in the heat of August – will conclude on a crisp fall night with Friday’s game at Waterford (2-7, 0-6). It will be a final opportunity to turn the hard work and sweat and bruises into a much-needed victory.

“We’re just focused on trying to get better at what we’re doing,” Armas said. “That’s what we tell the kids each day in practice.”

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

The meat grinder that is the Denair High football schedule finally ends this week. In the space of a month, the Coyotes will have faced the four powerhouses of the Southern League – Mariposa, Gustine, Orestimba and, this week, Ripon Christian.

Combined, those schools have an overall record of 23-4. Gustine and Orestimba are tied for first place with perfect 7-0 marks. Third-place Mariposa lost only to Orestimba. Ripon Christian’s league losses are to Gustine and Orestimba.

The Southern League is stacked this year.

“Coming in to the season, we understood where we’re at and where we want to go,” said first-year Denair coach Anthony Armas, whose team suffered a 42-6 homecoming loss Friday to Orestimba at Jack Lytton Stadium. “We’re putting in new offense and new defense. We’re trying to change the culture.

“I do see improvement. We’re improving at practice. … We’re dealing with numbers, dealing with injuries. We’re trying to establish and program.”

Denair (2-5, 1-3) hung with Orestimba for the first quarter Friday. The Coyotes moved the ball well on their opening drive before stalling, but then gave up a touchdown on the Warriors’ first offensive play.

They didn’t get down, though. Denair marched down the field to score its only touchdown, cutting the lead to 7-6.

But after that, Orestimba’s size, speed and depth made the difference. The Warriors did all their scoring before the first half ended. The final two quarters were played with a running clock. “They called off the dogs,” Armas said. Continue reading “Tough Schedule Takes Toll on DHS Football Team” »

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

The harsh reality of too few players matched against a superior opponent was too much for the Denair High football team to overcome in Friday night’s 44-0 Southern League loss to undefeated Gustine.

The Coyotes began the game with just 22 players and then lost one of their best two-way performers, Juan Barerra, to a knee injury in the first half. That came a week after three other players suffered injuries in a hard-fought loss to Mariposa.

“It’s the next man up with injuries. That’s what we tell the kids,” said first-year coach Anthony Armas.

Denair is 2-4 overall and 1-2 in the league play midway through the most difficult part of its schedule. The Coyotes already have faced Mariposa and Gustine, and in the next two weeks host Orestimba and travel to Ripon Christian. Those are the top four teams in the Southern League with a combined record of 20-3 overall and 10-2 in league play. Gustine and Orestimba both are 6-0 this season.

“The league this year, from top to bottom, is very, very tough,” Armas acknowledged. “And that’s what we told our players from Day 1. That’s the situation we’re in. There’s nothing we can cry about.”

Denair is the third team this season to be held scoreless by Gustine, a squad Armas called “big and fast.”

“They played well and we didn’t,” he said. “We’re just making little mistakes. Some of them are mental, like going the wrong way on a block. On defense, we missed a lot of tackles.”

Armas praised running back Justin Steeley for his effort, but said the offense “didn’t go as well as we hoped.”

Things get no easier this week with a homecoming game against Orestimba.

“They’re pretty dynamic on offense, similar to Gustine,” Armas said. “I think Gustine is a little bigger, but Orestimba has a very good quarterback and a dynamic running back.”

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Through five games, a few things are clear about the Denair football team: They’re small in numbers, but won’t be intimidated. They’re more competitive than they’ve been in years. And they have a habit of getting off to slow starts.

All three characteristics were on display Friday night in Denair’s 26-20 loss to Southern League powerhouse Mariposa.

• Slow starts. Just as it did against Summerville in the season opener, Denair gave up a touchdown on its first defensive play of the game. This time, it was a short pass that Mariposa’s receiver turned into a long score by eluding a couple of would-be tacklers. The defensive problems lasted the rest of the first half, when the Grizzlies scored all their points.
• The Coyotes began the game with 26 players, had two injured during the game and another who exhibited concussion symptoms afterward and spent a night in the hospital. Still, Denair’s coaching staff and players showed flexibility with on-the-fly position switches and many guys playing offense and defense. The Coyotes have grit.
• Despite falling behind early, Denair’s defense buckled down to keep the team in the game. Justin Steeley’s 85-yard TD run late in the second quarter cut Mariposa’s lead to 26-14 at halftime. Juan Barrera cut the lead to 26-20 with his own TD run in the third period. The Coyotes had a final chance with the ball at midfield with about 5 minutes left in the game, but were forced to punt and never regained possession.

Barrera was the game’s offensive start, running for more than 220 yards and the touchdown.

First-year coach Anthony Armas said there were a number of takeaways in the loss, which dropped Denair to 1-1 in league play and 2-3 overall. Continue reading “Denair Falls Behind Early in 26-20 Loss to Mariposa” »