We are the champions

For the first time since 2014, the Mariposa County High School varsity Grizzlies football team are Southern League champs.

With only one loss (Stone Ridge Christian) in league play this year, the Grizzlies wrapped up the regular season with a 56-34 win over rival Le Grand on Oct. 31.

“Offensively, that was one of the greatest performances I’ve ever seen in a high school game,” said coach Chase Pometta.

“They had no answer for our run game.”

The JV squad set the tone for the night as they won over the Bulldogs 20-6.

At the conclusion of the JV game, MCHS honored the seniors from band and cheer.

Band seniors this year are Madison Quiggins, Josiah Hayes, Kaden Yanez and Shiloh Gonzalez.

Seniors from the cheer team include Brittany Vargas-Alvarado, Bryanna Jacobs, Clementine DiMorente, Kaia Ramirez, Kaylee McAndrews, Makayah Gann, Marilyn Dugdale and Miabella Gutierrez.

After honoring the cheer and band seniors, the varsity game began with a bang as Rusty Bull scored a touchdown on the second play of the game.

Jhovany Marquez kicked for the extra point and the Grizzlies held an early lead of 7-0.

Le Grand answered with a touchdown and the extra point a short time later to tie the game.

Laten Butler got into the endzone and Marquez had yet another good kick for the extra point.

The score was 14-7 for MCHS at the end of the first quarter.

Bull came out blazing in the second quarter and ran a 70-yard touchdown for the Grizzlies.

The extra point was good from Marquez and the MCHS increased the lead to 21-7.

Connor Filgas was the next player to get into the endzone for the Grizzlies.

Marquez was in the zone and had another good extra point.

The score was 28-7 for MCHS.

Le Grand was able to get a touchdown and the extra point was good.

With just seconds left in the first half, Butler had a huge one-handed catch in the endzone to bring the score to 34-14 for MCHS at halftime.

“Laten (Butler) made the catch of the year. At the end of the half we had about eight seconds remaining. We were in field goal range with no timeouts, we wanted to be aggressive and take a shot, knowing an incomplete pass still gave us a shot at a field goal,” Pometta said.

“Austin Battles found Butler on a fade route and he went up with one hand and brought it in. That fired up our sideline and the whole crowd. Laten is a big time player and that was an unbelievable play.”

The Bulldogs may have been behind but they continued to fight and scored the first touchdown of the second half.

Bull scored his third touchdown of the night and the Grizzlies capitalized on the two-point conversion increasing their lead to 42-21 at the end of the third quarter.

Le Grand scored right out of the gate at the start of the fourth quarter but the Grizzlies quickly responded with another touchdown and extra point, bringing the score to 49-28.

After another Le Grand touchdown, Bull scored his fourth touchdown of the night and the extra point was good.

Hayden Hill had a big interception for the Grizzlies with just over three minutes left in the game.

In an absolute battle of a game, MCHS came out on top 56-34 to become Southern League champs.

“We ran 24 offensive plays and scored eight touchdowns and racked up 551 total yards,” Pometta said.

“The boys were making the correct reads, the correct checks at the line of scrimmage, it was unbelievable how efficient they were.”

Bull broke the school record for single game rushing — he had 10 rushes for 330 yards and four touchdowns.

Filgas had three carries for 89 yards and two touchdowns.

Alex Janitz also came up with another big play to get a drive started.

“He’s been huge the last couple games,” Pometta said.

“Also having Brady Arebalo back from injury was a huge spark for our team. He played very well on both sides of the ball.”

Eamon Fluharty continues to stand out on defense.

“His ability to control every matchup he is in gives our defense a lot of options,” continued Pometta.

“He’s had a great season on defense.”

At the conclusion of the varsity game, MCHS honored the 20 football seniors who have been the foundation to the success of this team.

Seniors on the varsity team this year are James Fields, Colton Wilha, Mason Sinclair, Carmine Sandoval, Alexander Janitz, Drew Canter, Allen Wilson, Wyatt Lockett, Eamon Fluharty, Connor Filgas, Hayden Hill, Laten Butler, Mason Bissmeyer, Brandon Marquez, Logan Hein, Timothy Roberts-McDougal, Brady Arebalo, Edward Williamson, Wilde Ketron and Liam Davis.

“This is a special group. Many of them were there in 2023 when we first got here,” said Pometta.

“To see their growth, both on and off the field, has been such a rewarding experience.”

This is a tight knit group and a team full of leaders.

“These guys have trusted the process, prioritized culture and the results have shown on the field. Their resiliency and dedication to the sport, the program and to each other led them to a championship season,” continued Pometta.

“Winning the Southern League is no small feat, it’s something that this group will remember forever. When we first got here, we told these boys they would be champions. They’ve done everything the right way, and they are the 2025 Southern League champs. The best part is, we aren’t done yet.”

The Grizzlies will host the Coyotes from Denair at the Gold Bowl on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. for the first round of playoffs.