Modesto JC defensive switch leads to 3 interceptions, rout of visiting Gavilan

The karma gods must have honored the Modesto Junior College Pirates and their cornerback from Gilroy who pilfered the Gavilan Rams ... from Gilroy.

His name is Kris Dipko, a freshman safety forced to man a new position. From there, he intercepted three passes before halftime Saturday night when the moon was in the seventh house and Jupiter aligned with Mars.

While Dipko's teammates pounded his back in celebration, the Pirates raced to a 47-0 lead at the half and moonwalked to a 60-20 victory at MJC Stadium. Anyone who could have predicted this scenario gets two tickets to an Amazing Kreskin show.

"I just filled in and helped my team," Dipko shrugged. "I am excited to be here in Modesto."

So is MJC, which secured its first 4-0 start in 10 years. Modesto alternately pounded and threw for 583 yards and 29 first downs, quickly rendering the outcome a moot point for about 1,500. The Pirates were expected to rout the 0-4 Rams — the visitors dressed only 31 players — and Modesto did just that.

As for Dipko, well, he requires more background. Dipko played for the brother of MJC defensive coordinator Drew Brown at Wilcox High of Gilroy, so that's the hook to Modesto.

He then annexed his first starting assignment due to injuries to MJC's starting corners Laron Thompson and Efren Sifuentes.

The Pirates soon were riding Dipko's coattails:

• His interception inches above the turf at the Gavilan 16 yard line set up Quinton McCown's slant to David Gianesin for a touchdown on the next play. 20-0.

• His diving interception near the sideline put the Pirates in business at the 21. Seven plays later, Markus Sanders bulled over from the 1. 27-0.

• He pulled down a deflected pass less than a minute later at the Gavilan 31. That led to Aaron Fields' second touchdown. 33-0, all before the game was 20 minutes old.

MJC coach Sam Young quickly noted the harmonic convergence of the episode. There was no plan to show up an in-transition Gavilan program with a product of its own neighborhood.

"He (Dipko) is a nifty player. They were trying to work their receiver against him," MJC coach Sam Young said. "We had to put him at corner out of necessity."

Modesto, two weeks before its Valley Conference opener, put down its own marker. The week before, Sequoias set a school record by pushing back Gavilan for a net of minus 87 yards during a 56-0 romp.

The Pirates answered with their high-acceleration offense guided by Quinton McCown. Before his night ended at halftime, he completed 19 of 22 passes — he clicked on his first 12 — for 249 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for 51 yards and a touchdown.

Simply, the game lacked a turning point. The Pirates dented the scoreboard in the game's first minute when Fields, displaying his speed and cutting ability for the third straight week, stepped to his right 47 yards for the first TD.

In the second half, reserves such as quarterback Jackson Meyer, running back Rodney Daniels and receiver Javon Kelly contributed.

"I was pleased that our guys kept their focus," Young said. "It allowed our other players to get in the game."

No one seized his opportunity, however, better than Dipko.

Bee staff writer Ron Agostini can be reached at (209) 578-2300.