Denair boys soccer repeats as section champions, looks for first NorCal win Tuesday
Last year’s Denair boys soccer team made history.
The Coyotes beat Gustine to secure the program’s first section championship in its second 10-plus win season since 2016-17.
This season, they returned a number of starters from last year’s team, but repeating is not easy.
“There was a little pressure because they did so good last year,” said head coach Antonio Padilla. “But I knew it was possible.”
The Coyotes finished third in the Southern League and earned the first overall seed in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V playoffs.
They dominated for the second straight postseason, outscoring opponents 13-1 en route to back-to-back blue banners.
The Coyotes advanced to their second consecutive Northern California Regional Championships as the Division V No. 7 seed. They travel to No. 2 Bakersfield Christian on Tuesday, Feb. 28, for a first-round matchup. Kickoff is at 5 p.m.
Senior Angel Sanchez wasted no time in the Feb. 18 final, knifing through defenders to score the first of Denair’s two goals in the sixth minute. It was his 49th goal of the season.
It has been a breakout year for the newly converted striker who just last season played on the Coyotes’ back line.
After watching the Coyotes play last season, Padilla, who took over the program this year, made the decision to move him from defense to offense.
“I noticed Sanchez was a really good defender,” Padilla said, “but also to me, he could be a very good striker.”
He made the transition slowly, moving Sanchez from defense to defensive midfielder in the season opener and then to the top of the formation.
“He felt comfortable,” said Padilla of Sanchez’s role at midfield. “But I talked to him and said I wanted to give him the opportunity to try striker. … He started going up top and striking goals left and right, right away. It was amazing.”
Sanchez has had 10 hat tricks this season and scored at least four goals three times. He netted a career high six goals in Denair’s 9-0 win over Le Grand on Dec. 15.
His 15 assists are also a team high.
“Everyone sees him as a leader,” Padilla said. “He wants more. He scores one goal and he wants two or three more. He’s an amazing player.”
Sanchez has scored more goals this season than every Denair opponent combined.
The Coyotes’ defense has been spectacular, allowing just 36 goals this season, with 11 shutouts. They had two shutouts in three section playoff games. Their back line is led by upperclassmen Emanuel Renteria, Justin Hernandez and Tim Hernandez, who have meshed well together and take on the defensive mindset of their coach.
“Defense, to me, is the most important part.” said Padilla.
Last season, the Coyotes were upset as the No. 4 seed by No. 5 Wheatland, 1-0.
Though they do not have a home game this year, they are embracing the challenge of advancing further than any Denair boys soccer team in school history with a road win.
