Mariposa ready for a tough challenge in NorCal Bowl Game against defending state champ
The Mariposa High football team won its first Sac-Joaquin Section championship in 24 years with an overtime 17-14 win over Denair two weeks ago.
The Grizzlies on Friday will do something no other Mariposa football team has had the opportunity to do.
The Grizzlies (8-4) will play in their first Northern California Regional Bowl Game when it faces Lincoln of San Francisco in the Division 7-AA at Veterans Stadium on the campus of Golden Valley High School.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
“It’s crazy,” said Mariposa assistant coach Ryan Oliphant. “It’s been nuts. It’s only the second section title in school history and to win it like that.”
The Grizzlies had lost their first matchup against Denair on a missed field goal. Mariposa won it with a field goal in overtime in the section championship game.
“I snapped the ball, closed my eyes and hoped for the best,” said senior J.C. Davies. “I was so excited I just fell backwards.”
The Grizzlies know they’re in for a test on Friday night against a Lincoln team that comes in with a 10-1 record and looking for its second straight state championship.
The Mustangs went 13-0 last season, including a 24-13 win over Orange Glen in the 6-A state championship game.
Lincoln is led by its offensive line and running back Luis Contreras, who has rushed for 2,111 yards and 25 touchdowns this season.
“He had 40 carries in their last game,” Davies said. “Defensively he’s going to be the key for us. We have to keep outside containment.”
The Grizzlies defense has been the driving force behind Mariposa’s success this season. The Grizzlies are giving up just 17.6 points per game. Mariposa has posted three shutouts this year and held teams to seven points or less in five games this season.
The Grizzlies are led by Davies (126 tackles) and Bodie Rodriguez (116 tackles) at inside linebacker.
“Our defense has just clicked this year,” Rodriguez said. “Everyone that plays defense on our team loves playing defense. Our defense is like a puzzle, everybody is like a piece of that puzzle. If everyone is not doing their job, we’re not going to come together.”
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Offensively Mariposa is led by sophomore quarterback Wyatt Green, who has passed for 1,572 yards and 16 touchdowns in 10 games. Running back Logan Donati has rushed for 928 yards and nine touchdowns.
“It feels good to be playing a 13th game,” Rodriguez said. “It’s been a long time since anybody at our high school has played more than 10 games. It feels weird to still be playing football but it’s a good weird.”
