Question marks surround 2015 MJC football

The 2015 Modesto Junior College Pirates will wear helmets emblazoned with a new blue “M” over silver chrome. Their fast-break offense again will try to break land-speed records.

That much we know.

After that, the Pirates and first-year coach Rusty Stivers enter the season with more than a few question marks.

Only nine starters from last fall – only two on offense – return. It’s enough to make a young, new head coach, even one who’s called the plays on offense since 2006, blink.

“It’s hard to compare. This is my first go at it,” Stivers said. “We do have more leaders than we’ve had in the past. It’s made the practices fun.”

Such are the uncertainties for the Pirates as they prepare for the Blue and White scrimmage Thursday at 6 p.m. at MJC Stadium. All energy then will be directed toward the opener Sept. 5 at home against American River.

All discussion about MJC football this year must begin with those two lone returners on offense – All-Valley Conference left tackle Niles Graham and quarterback Trey Cooper.

MJC coaches call the 6-foot-4, 380-pound Graham the “dancing bear” for his agility. He’ll form the bedrock of the protection for Cooper, the late-season sensation of 2014.

Cooper emerged from virtual obscurity – and an injury and attrition-plagued situation at QB – to rush for 11 touchdowns and pass for eight more in the closing games. More important, he inspired his teammates by bowling over linebackers and leading with a swashbuckling style.

Modesto finished 4-6 in 2014 but not before a 49-42 upset win over Fresno, the Pirates’ first victory over the Rams in 16 years, and a record-setting 73-28 romp over Delta. MJC upgraded from nowhere to a tie for third in the conference with a 3-2 record and, in the end, missed a piece of the title by only eight points.

The Pirates will ask Cooper for more of that energy this fall. If he falters, former Modesto High star Tiki Tonga waits in reserve.

Replacing Anthony Cota, the school’s all-time leading rusher (2,457 yards, 30 touchdowns) and its first All-American since 2008, is impossible. The Pirates will lean on sophomore Andre Edwards, Cota’s backup a year ago, Ike Arvie and Aden Ruiz.

Stivers wasn’t formally announced as the successor to Sam Young until May, which complicated the transition. Stivers, Young and defensive coordinator Drew Brown managed the offseason chores.

That said, recruiting was limited, and the result is a lack of depth on the offensive line. The health of Graham, tackle Chris Romo, center Thomas Romero, and guards Brandon Perez and Gabe Lopez will be critical.

Cooper will throw to returning sophomore Ronnie Holley, Justice Jordan (played for MJC in 2013) and slots Ravon Alexander and David Martinez.

“We have guys on offense who’ve been in the program but not starters,” Stivers said. “A lot of these positions won’t be solidified until after the scrimmage.”

The defense seems to be on more stable ground with six returning starters – safeties Tyler Johnson and Herman Harris, corner Bryan Pascual, inside linebacker Justin VanFleet, end Kyle Dawson and lineman Kody Day. The top freshman is outside linebacker Andy Jennings of Turlock.

Expect the defense to be more aggressive, via a higher percentage of blitzes, than previous years.

“We want the defense to match that style (of our offense),” Stivers said. “Everyone on the defense has a chance to blitz.”

Sophomore returner Tommy Langley and Brenden Cremin vie for kicker, punter and placekicker. Langley’s kickoffs into the end zone, however, already have impressed Stivers.

MJC’s schedule is its usual nasty self. Four opponents are ranked in JC Gridwire’s preseason national top 25: San Mateo (fourth), City College of San Francisco (seventh), American River (11th) and Fresno (23rd). The state poll ranks San Francisco second, ARC fourth, San Mateo sixth and Diablo Valley ninth.

Modesto? Unranked and, for now, unknown.

“I can’t forecast. We’re just a big question mark,” Stivers said. “I’m concerned right now with eliminating mistakes and getting our guys in the right places.”

Notes: MJC will play four of its first six games at home, including its last nonleague game Oct. 3 against San Francisco. ... Young, the coach of the Pirates from 2000 to 2014, remains on the staff as coach of the outside linebackers. ... Tickets are still available for the inaugural MJC Football Kickoff Dinner to be held Saturday at 6 p.m. at the MJC Ag Pavilion (West Campus). Call 209-575-6619, email at stiversr@mjc.edu or visit modestojcfoundation.org. ... Mt. San Antonio is favored to defend its state football title, according to the preseason poll of the state football coaches conducted by JC Athletic Bureau.

This story was originally published August 26, 2015 at 5:59 PM with the headline "Question marks surround 2015 MJC football."