MJC now eligible to win a state title

For the first time since 2003, Modesto Junior College football will re-enter the brave new world of the Valley Conference.

And coach Sam Young thinks it's about time.

"It's going to be a great challenge for us. We welcome it," Young said. "I think the program has matured to a point where we can compete at this level."

MJC, a member of the Golden Gate Conference the last six years, earned its two-year promotion to the North Division (or the so-called Tier 1) of the Northern California Football Association. The Pirates won 14 straight GGC games between 2007 and '09 and captured GGC titles in '07 and '08. They went 7-4 last fall and won their Graffiti Bowl game for the second straight year.

The realignment was announced last November, but the Pirates' 2010 schedule — announced last week — revealed the newness of it all. They'll even break in new lights and a new scoreboard at MJC Stadium.

San Joaquin Delta, MJC's season-opening opponent the last eight seasons, will finish the Pirates' regular season Nov. 13. Merced, a league foe in recent years, becomes Modesto's final non-league tuneup Oct. 9.

MJC will rekindle old rivalries against Fresno, Reedley and Sequoias in the Valley Conference. The upgrading to a Tier 1 conference also brings two scenarios into play: The Pirates are eligible to win a state title, and the Graffiti Bowl also could welcome the Northern California title game.

Recent history shows Modesto is competitive in Tier 1. It went 1-2 against Tier 1 opponents in 2009. The question is whether the Pirates will be competitive week-to-week.

"Every league game will be like a playoff game," Young said. "No breathers. Top-flight competition."

MJC will open the season at Sacramento, marking the Pirates' fourth matchup against the Panthers since 2008. Modesto will play 10 straight weeks without a bye, including four day games at Gavilan, Gilroy, Reedley and Delta.

Bee staff writer Ron Agostini can be reached at ragostini@modbee.com or 578-2302.