RSS Electronic Edition | Newsletters Subscribe | Customer Service/Contact Us | Community Buy Photos Modmomsclub

Sports

Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

Bowl is a big deal for MJC

E-Mail Print reprint or license

Will the 2009 Modesto Junior College Pirates be remembered fondly?

The answer will depend in part on the outcome of Saturday afternoon's 17th annual Graffiti Bowl matchup against San Jose City.

It's a bit unfair to pin a pass-fail on one three-hour exercise, but Modesto (6-4) has alternated between promising and disappointing all season. The Pirates, like all football teams, are gauged by the final score, which makes theirs a bottom-line world. Their last shot to make an impression is Saturday.

Or, as head coach Sam Young said, "Everybody would say that 7-4 sounds a lot better than 6-5."

How much energy a team carries into a bowl game often decides the outcome. Last fall, the Golden Gate Conference champion Pirates had not finished their season with a Graffiti win in six years. With that, they stung Sacramento City 31-6.

This year, the template differs. Modesto fell short for a third straight GGC title. Is an 11th game in front of a home crowd enough for a team that tied for second place?

"They understand that there's some prestige in winning a bowl game," Young said. "Our goal was to win the championship. Every team is different. We're not afraid to set our goals high. Part of our goal structure is to go to the post-season, so that's somewhat satisfying."

Modesto also realizes its opponent will be motivated. San Jose (7-3), which finished third in the Coast Conference, was not entered in the original list of bowl qualifiers. But after a confusing Sunday that saw bowl organizers twice shift the bowl lineup, San Jose found its way to Modesto.

The Jaguars, bowl-bound for the first time in 12 years, lost 45-17 last week to Coast champion De Anza.

"They came up short in their league. They're 7-3, we're 6-4," Young said. "We're in the same boat."

The Pirates rely on the arm of quarterback Greg Panelli and receivers Vince Andrews, Carlos Acosta and Mike Ward. They'll collide with a defense that has generated many turnovers. The MJC defense, keyed by GGC Most Valuable Player Keith Yamamoto at inside linebacker, will cope with an explosive San Jose offense.

• NOTES — MJC and San Jose will be served breakfast in separate shifts Saturday morning at the Hungry Hunter. ... Saturday will mark Modesto's fourth straight appearance in the Graffiti Bowl. The Pirates are 8-3 in their signature game. ... MJC will do all the legwork for the game, which has not enjoyed a title sponsor in two years. ... The Pirates were notified that their 45-27 loss last year to Santa Rosa was flipflopped into a forfeit victory. Young said the Bear Cubs used an ineligible player and gave up all 2008 wins. The Pirates' official 2008 record is 9-2.

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