GRIZZLY JUSTIN KINALELE (RIGHT) BREAKS AWAY FOR GOOD YARDAGE AGAINST GUSTINE IN LAST SATURDAY’ SCRIMMAGE IN DENAIR. MARIPOSA’S VARSITY MOVED THE BALL WELL AGAINST TURLOCK CHRISTIAN, GUSTINE, AND DENAIR’S COYOTES. THE GRIZZLIES OPEN THE SEASON THURSDAY NIGHT IN THE RENOVATED PIONEER MARKET GRIZZLY STADIUM AT 7:30 P.M. GAZETTE PHOTO BY DAN TUCKER In their first home game ever inside Pioneer Market Grizzly Stadium on the MCHS campus, Mariposa’s Grizzlies will tangle with Summerville’s Bears at 7:30 p.m. tonight in a non-league clash that kicks off the 2010 gridiron season at 7:30 p.m.

The Bears will take the field as heavy favorites with threeyear starting quarterback senior Zach Roberson (6-3, 195) at the helm. He is backed up by senior standout running back Taylor Gold (5-9, 185), and his favorite target is tight end senior Tige Wingo (6-4, 220).

Mariposa head coach Bob Kelly said his squad had a solid week of practice and performed well at last Saturday’s scrimmage in Denair.

“Defensively, we’re farther ahead than we were last year at this time, and the offense is beginning to click,” Kelly said.”We’ll be ready.”

Senior Jared Guenthart (5-11, 160) will start under center for the Grizzlies. He will be flanked by a double running threat in seniors Justin (5-9, 180) and Brandon (6-0, 170) Kinalele. Both backs are fast and shifty in the open field. Junior Cody Stitt (6-0, 170) is slated to start at wing back. Speedy and sure-handed junior Wyatt Ellis (5-11, 16) will start at wide receiver.

The Grizzlies will be running their traditional “fly” offense, but Kelly said, “We’re going to spread things out a bit.”

Junior Derek Nady (5-8, 170) will start at tight end. Across the line, Mariposa isn’t big, but is capable. At left tackle is senior Austin Garibay (6-1, 220). Veteran senior Bruce Contreras (6-1, 215) anchors the left guard slot, and sophomore Chase Gibson (6-1, 215) has taken command of the snapper’s role. Either junior Bryce Williams (6-2, 190) or senior Keenan Johnson (6-0, 180) will begin at starting left guard. Junior J.R. Chenot (6-0, 180) gets the nod to start at left tackle.

“We’re still looking at every position,” Kelly said. “These guys have to earn that spot with their performance, so nothing is set in stone.”

Mariposa’s defense stood out at the scrimmage against three other teams in Denair. The Grizzlies’ tradition of smash-mouth defense remains.

Brandon Kinalele anchors the defensive line at nose guard. His speed off the snap frustrated a lot of offensive linemen last season. Contreras holds down the right tackle slot and Gibson and Johnson will share duties at left tackle. Stitt is the scheduled right defensive end, and junior Yussef Sulaiman (5-10, 180) is on the opposite side.

Garibay and Nady will hold the middle ground at linebacker. Senior Jeremiah Baca (5-11, 170) will prowl the right flat at cornerback and junior Eric Pope (5-8, 140) is at left cornerback. Ellis is set to start at free safety, and experienced senior Joe Grabowski (5-8, 160) will handle the strong safety chores. Stitt has been tagged for both kick-off and punting assignments.

Mariposa finished at 6-6 (4-1 in league) last year, took second place in the Southern Athletic League and advanced to the second round of the playoffs before being banished by Capitol Christian.

CalPreps has forecast the Grizzlies to finish third in the expanded SAL behind frontrunner and defending champ Le Grand and second place Denair.