Mariposa Bears Football and Cheer programs are making positive changes

Contributed by
Travis Blagg

Change can be defined as “the act or instance of making or becoming different.” Even though Mariposa Bears Youth Football and Cheer have been a fixture within the community of Mariposa, the past few years have brought about change and development. A change that has made a great program even better.

Kaene Soto, now serving in his second year as president of the organization, has endeavored to bring about positive growth and healthy change for the programs. As this new football season draws near, the changes to the program are tangible ones.

Even with relatively new entries such as soccer and other youth sports to the Mariposa youth sports community, Mariposa Bears Youth Football continues to grow with over 90 boys participating last year. The cheer portion of the program saw the most growth with the number of participating youngsters growing from 20 to nearly 40 over the past year. “We are so excited to see so many young ladies coming out to be a part of this great program,” exclaimed Soto.

Along with this growth, Soto has wanted to ensure that Mariposa’s youth football program is a true “feeder” program for Mariposa County High School. “I have spoken to the new varsity football coach at the high school, Chase Pometta. We are excited to be introducing offensive and defensive concepts that Coach Pometta will be using at the high school level. Our boys will be ready for the next level upon entering high school,” Soto explained. The desires of both men are expected to propel both Bears and Grizzly football to the next level.

Soto has continued to bring about even more change by sponsoring flag football within the community. Flag football is a sport growing in popularity all across the United States and Soto sees the need for Mariposa to be in the forefront of that movement.

“This last year Mariposa County High School fielded its first flag football team. In 2028, flag football will be an Olympic event. We want to continue to develop and grow flag football here in Mariposa, and we are doing just that with RISE Flag Football Sierra Mountain, powered by Under Armour,” Soto explained. According to Soto, so far local parents have been overjoyed to have another option for sports for their children within the community.

While Soto’s first year as president was focused on organization and restructuring, this year has been focused on player safety. Soto, and the Board approved unanimously the purchase of new helmets that will drastically improve safety for all players, league wide. “Player safety is a number one priority for us,” extolled Soto.

Online registration is now open and future walk-in registration dates will be announced soon. Soto wanted to mention that the board is working on providing scholarships to deserving children within the community, opening up opportunities for those families that find the registration cost-prohibitive.

“Any businesses within the community that would like to financially assist Mariposa Bears youth football and cheer can contact me,” Soto said. Soto can be reached by email at [email protected]

Also, Soto wanted to thank all of the volunteers that help run this organization. “There is no way we would be able to do anything without the faithful volunteers that make up our coaches and Board. They have allowed us to grow and change and develop into what we are today,” said Soto.