Monday, December 01, 2008

By KELLY JONES
kjones@modbee.com

last updated: September 07, 2008 03:11:52 AM

STOCKTON -- Football season started with a hiccup for Modesto Junior College.

An attack of hiccups, actually, as turnovers and stalled drives led to a 39-20 victory for host San Joaquin Delta on Saturday.

Four interceptions, two lost fumbles and two empty possessions within the 5-yard line overshadowed the bright spots for the Pirates on the renovated Lawrence DeRicco Field.

"In two intra-squad games and a three-way scrimmage we had one turnover the whole time," head coach Sam Young said. "We really haven't been that careless with the ball all through camp. We have some pieces to play with, we just have to execute better."

Quarterback Greg Panelli had a rough start, throwing a touchdown pass and three interceptions in the first half.

He didn't play in the second half due to a sore shoulder that made it difficult to lift his right throwing arm.

Panelli said he landed hard on the shoulder trying to evade a tackle, but doesn't think the injury is serious. He finished with eight completions on 16 attempts for 151 yards.

Watching Jideofo Okwudiri return one of the Delta sophomore's four interceptions for a 99-yard touchdown to end the first half and give Delta a 26-14 lead was more painful.

Former East Union High receiver Teddy Anderson handled punting duties and took over at quarterback in the second half.

He dove for a 4-yard touchdown and completed six passes on 13 attempts with one interception. Both quarterbacks said the Pirates can fix what ailed them in the opener.

"We have a lot of corrections we need to make and we'll be right back at it Monday," Anderson said. "I thought our run did well. Our O-line did an awesome job. Our defense was outstanding."

Young said the defense was a victim of poor field position. Four of Delta's five scoring drives began inside the Modesto 47-yard line.

Modesto started strong with former Orestimba High teammates Marcus Allen and Panelli teaming up to score on the Pirates' second possession. Allen caught a 15-yard pass, broke away from defenders and sprinted for a 77-yard touchdown.

But minutes later, Delta extended its first scoring drive when Modesto fumbled a punt, resulting in a Kevin Breaker 1-yard touchdown run.

The Pirates answered quickly as leading rusher Willie Munford spun out of a tackle and dashed to a 29-yard touchdown. Kevin Burkett's point-after kick put Modesto up 14-6.

"That play was only designed for two or three yards," Munford said. "I saw one guy coming on the outside. I only had one guy to beat."

Munford carried the ball 25 times for 124 yards and caught an 18-yard pass from Panelli. He was optimistic Modesto would turn things around. The Pirates gained 336 yards to Delta's 296.

"Overall we did pretty good," Munford said. "The errors are very correctable."

Bee staff writer Kelly Jones can be reached at kjones@modbee.com or 578-2300. For more, visit Jones' blog at thehive.modbee.com/pointafter.

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