Season over: American River advances by again beating MJC

The Modesto Junior College Pirates, mud caked to their cleats and jerseys stained and wet, exchanged consolation hugs and heard from their coach.

“You made Modesto special,” Rusty Stivers told his team. “This team put Modesto on the map.”

It did, but the Pirates’ final destination turned out to be American River, where they were beaten 27-21 Saturday night in the North State Bowl. Modesto (8-3) bowed out in the Northern California semifinals, making it the most accomplished MJC football team in recent school history.

American River (9-2), which travels to Butte next Saturday for the NorCal title game, handed Modesto two of its three losses. The rematch, though closer than the 47-33 ARC win in September, contained one painful parallel for the men in blue – a special teams breakdown.

Modesto, which built its Valley Conference championship in part by dominating all events post-halftime, gave up a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Damen Wheeler to open the second half. His clean trip through the MJC coverage gave the Beavers, who trailed 14-0 early in the game, their first lead.

More important, it presented the home team with easy points on a field softened by steady rain until the fourth quarter. Modesto answered with a game-tying 26-yard pass from Wyatt Clapper to Lovell Collins, but ARC responded with a drive capped by Griffin Dahn’s 2-yard run for the decisive touchdown.

“We knew how tough Modesto would be this time. September was a long time ago,” American River coach Jon Osterhout said. “I thought the kickoff return was the biggest play in the game.”

Dahn, American River’s tall and productive quarterback, missed the fourth quarter due to injury. By then, however, the Beavers owned the night’s most important commodity – the lead. That the Beavers missed the conversion kick only teased Modesto until game’s end.

The Pirates reached the American River 10 for a 4th-and-4 early in the fourth quarter and opted not to kick a field goal. Clapper’s pass fell incomplete in the end zone.

“I was concerned about the conditions. We struggled in pregame and fell on a previous PAT,” Stivers said. “I felt we had a better chance to go for it on fourth down.”

In the final minute, Jay Green churned through the muck for 37 yards to the American River 43. The Pirates would get no closer.

Green, named the game’s MVP on offense, rushed for a season-high 210 yards and a touchdown – his state-leading 20th – on 19 carries. Add “mudder” to his long list of superlatives this season. The slick turf denied his sharp cuts on a few occasions.

“His instincts and vision kicked in,” Stivers praised.

Modesto couldn’t have scripted a better start. DaShawn Holcombe’s interception in the end zone erased ARC’s first threat, and Modesto soon led on Clapper’s 78-yard catch-and-run touchdown to Fotios Jordanglou. Clapper baited the ARC secondary with a pump-fake and found Jordanglou alone.

Late in the first quarter, Green spun away from a defender and raced 53 yards to the end zone. From that point on, events conspired against MJC.

“It was tough because we couldn’t display what we wanted to do on offense,” Stivers said. “They (American River) were having the same issues. We couldn’t battle that wet ball.”

The Pirates complicated matters by failing to complete a pass to deep threat Michael Thompson. American River, remembering Thompson’s seven receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown during the first game, adjusted.

“They played a lot of off-coverage (on Thompson),” Clapper said. “They were definitely ready for him this time.”

Clapper, who connected on 16 of 34 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns, struggled at times in the difficult conditions. Granted, even gripping the ball wasn’t easy.

American River dug out of its early hole. Namani Parker beat tight coverage to catch a 25-yard touchdown pass from Dahn. The Beavers drew even when, on 4th-and-2, Dahn option-pitched to Dante Davis, who outflanked the MJC defense and sped 25 yards for the TD late in the half. Modesto did not lead again.

“I’m proud of our team. We fought hard tonight,” Clapper said. “Our (sophomores) went down swinging. This one stings, but it was a great year.”

Notes – Earlier Saturday, Butte eliminated San Mateo 30-12. ... Modesto outgained ARC 464-368, but the Beavers built a 14-minute possession advantage. ... The loss snapped a six-game MJC winning streak.

This story was originally published November 20, 2016 at 12:57 AM with the headline "Season over: American River advances by again beating MJC."