Excitement Builds in Madera as Coyotes Prepare for DIII Championship
Madera, Calif. – As Thanksgiving festivities unfolded, the Madera Coyotes were hard at work preparing for a momentous occasion. Under the morning fog on Thanksgiving Day, the Coyotes had their final practice before heading into the DIII championship game, marking their first trip to the finals since 2014.
Head coach Kenny Paolinelli expressed how significant this moment is for both him and the team. “It means a lot,” he said. “This is something I always dreamed of as a high school player. We’ve always talked about trying to win a Valley title here.” Despite making it to six section finals in the past, Madera has yet to secure a victory, holding a record of 0-5 in championship games.
Quarterback Joel Arellano, who was recently named Player of the Week by Cal-Hi Sports, shared his excitement about the upcoming challenge. “Honestly, it’s surreal, I don’t even know,” he remarked, adding that he has never experienced a situation like this before. Arellano had a standout performance in an overtime win over Kennedy of Delano, throwing for eight touchdowns and accumulating 606 total yards of offense, the second most in a single game in Central section history.
Seventeen miles south, the Kerman Lions are also looking to break their championship drought. After coming close last year, head coach Damon Jenkins is steering his team back to the finals after a significant victory over #1 seed Porterville. Jenkins emphasized the importance of the little things, stating, “It’s just those little things that I’m harping on that the kids didn’t understand when I first got here.” Jenkins, a graduate from De La Salle with three national championship titles, believes that the understanding between him and his players is crucial for their success.
This Friday, Madera will face off against Kerman in what promises to be an electrifying match-up. The Coyotes, with an 8-4 record, boast an explosive offense, while the Lions, sporting an 11-2 record, are known for their stingy defense. It will be an exciting showdown as both teams aim for their first title.
