Are you ready?

Last season the Mariposa County High School football team broke through after difficult, frustrating experiences the previous two campaigns.

The Grizzlies went 9-2 overall and 5-1 in the Southern League, qualifying for a postseason appearance. Although they didn’t win the Section, it was one of the better seasons in recent memory for the Grizzlies.

“They had mental fortitude and determination,” said MCHS head coach Chase Pometta. “We figured out a way to win football games.”

This season the Grizzlies are expected to maintain the same high standard of play, but it won’t be easy after losing seniors such as Mason Sinclair, Hayden Hill and Laten Butler, who was the Most Valuable Player of the Southern League. Each of them graduated. Butler was invited to participate in a few regional all-star games following the conclusion of the season.

Butler was a Swiss Army Knife for the Grizzlies, playing multiple positions. In fact, Pometta said it was basically impossible to list Butler at a specific position. He simply listed him as “athlete.”

Butler returned kicks and punts, caught, ran and had touchdowns in every phase of the game last season.

“He was also the best defensive back in the league,” Pometta said.

Pometta said that all offseason long, people were asking him how the team would fill the gap of losing Butler.

“You can’t replace Laten with one player,” said Pometta.

It will take a group effort.

“We have a group of guys who are up to the task,” Pometta explained. “Our offseason strength and conditioning is top notch. These kids are putting in work all year long.”

Offense prioritizes flexibility

The Grizzlies will run a spread offense this season. To many people, when they hear spread offense, their first thought can go toward passing the ball.

However, in Pometta’s version of the offense, he wants to prioritize flexibility and deception, giving his team the ability to both run and pass.

“We present the threat of an air raid, but the way we run it is … within it, there are so many different ways to utilize weapons,” he said. “Last year we ran the ball 70 percent of the time and threw it 30 percent. But having that threat of the pass really opened up the run game.”

Pometta said his scheme can be adapted to suit his athletes’ skill set in the best possible way, matching their particular skill set with his formations and strategies.

“For the defenses, it gives them fits,” he said.

The offense will be helmed by quarterback Austin Battles, a junior. He started every game last year and is ready for another strong season.

“He had a good offseason,” Pometta said. “Right now, he is (the one) getting reps with the starters.”

Rusty Bull will return as the team’s primary rusher. He had an outstanding season last year. Bull had a whopping 22 rushing touchdowns and over 1,000 yards rushing. He finished the regular season against Le Grand by breaking the school single game record for rushing. In that match-up, he gashed the Bulldogs with a statline that is difficult to believe, notching 10 carries for 330 yards and four touchdowns.

The team also features playmakers such as John Ogilby, who is stepping in as a hybrid receiver/running back/fullback and can even play quarterback. Pometta also mentioned Ezekiel Weiland as a player to watch for at the slot receiver position.

New look defense in place

On the defensive side of the ball, the Grizzlies are shifting to a 3-3-5 defense which will allow them “to put a lot of speed on the field,” according to Pometta.

A 3-3-5 defense is often employed when a team lacks size but wants to rely on its athleticism, speed and flexibility.

“Our guys are powerful, quick and fast,” he said. “Defensively, our strength is our speed.”

Pometta said the team will often go up against schools that have 250-pound linemen, which the Grizzlies simply don’t have. So, they will turn to their speed and the ability to flock to the ball.

“Our theory on defense is we want 11 linebackers on the field,” said Pometta.

The defense will be spearheaded by Bull, who returns as an all-league inside linebacker. Pometta also mentioned by name the likes of Beau Pokora, Lyell Marcis, who returns as a first-team all-league player, and Weiland, who will play cornerback.

“That bodes well for us,” Pometta said of Marcis returning. “And Ezekiel Weiland is playing next level football … We have a great secondary.”

League outlook

Pometta doesn’t expect the Southern League to be easy to win this season. Several of the schools are returning key players, and Pometta said they are all coached very well.

“Our goal is to take it one week at a time and win that week, win that day. Add up those small victories and we want to be playing ball around Thanksgiving and into December,” said Pometta.

He said Stone Ridge Christian is returning its quarterback and a lot of weapons.

“They are going to be strong and well-coached,” he said. Denair is also returning its quarterback and “they run a very disciplined scheme. They are well-coached. They will be tough again this season.”

Le Grand — Mariposa’s main rival — must replace its quarterback, who “was special,” and could make impromptu plays like a Russell Wilson or Patrick Mahomes, Pometta said.

“He will be tough to replace, but they have a good group of young guys — sophomores and juniors — who are a talented group,” Pometta said.

Meanwhile, Waterford shared a junior varsity championship with Mariposa last year and is bringing those players who stood out at the JV level up to varsity.

“They have a lot of good athletes and will present a tough challenge. The Southern League from top to bottom is going to be strong,” Pometta said.

2027 MCHS football schedule

Sept. 3 @ Sierra, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 11 @ Bret Harte, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 18 @ Amador, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 vs. Gustine, 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 2 @ Modesto Christian, 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 9 vs. Delhi, 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 16 @ Denair, 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 23 vs. Stone Ridge Christian, 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 30 vs. Waterford, 7:15 p.m.
Nov. 6 @ Le Grand, 7 p.m.