JUNIOR VARSITY QUARTERBACK JIMMY NERI (NO. 13) DROPS BACK TO PASS AS CODY STITT (NO. 7) WATCHES OUT FOR THE PASS RUSH. THE JV SQUAD LOST TO THE LE GRAND BULLDOGS, 21-0, AND IS LOOKING FOR A HOMECOMING WIN AGAINST WATERFORD THIS FRIDAY. GAZETTE PHOTO BY JILL BALLINGER After last Friday night’s Southern Athletic League defeat at the hands of Le Grand, 21-0, Mariposa’s junior varsity football team is searching for any sort of competitive edge and a touch of respectability.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve had a team with this many losses,” said head coach Danny Ellis.” I’ve tried everything I know. We’ve made the execution simpler, but every time we take two steps forward we take two back.”

Mariposa only trailed 6-0 at the intermission, and stayed within striking distance as the third quarter ended with the same score.

In the fourth quarter, Le Grand would march for one touchdown and a 2-point conversion, and with about 5 minutes left in the game the Bulldogs’ grabbed an interception and turned it into a pick-6.

“The whole team needs to raise its level of play. Two or three players can’t carry a team, and right now, that’s what we’re facing. If they can just learn to compete, maybe we can be the spoiler in league play.” Ellis added.

The Grizzlies (0-2 SAL) will face Waterford in their homecoming game on Friday night in the Gold Bowl at the fairgrounds. Kick-off for the league contest is slated for 5:30 p.m.