Modesto Junior College rallies to beat Sequoias in regular-season finale
Running back Anthony Frias scored three touchdowns in the final 21 minutes to help Modesto Junior College overcome a nine-point third-quarter deficit en route to a 51-37 victory Saturday over College of the Sequoias.
The Turlock High product ran for 141 yards and five touchdowns as MJC completed the regular season 7-3 overall and 4-1 in the Valley Conference.
The Pirates now await a potential postseason bowl berth.
Jaedyn Pineda scored on a 2-yard run midway through the third quarter to give Sequoias (4-5, 2-3) a 30-21 lead over the host Pirates.
However, with 6 minutes, 13 seconds left in the third, Frias scored on a 4-yard run. About three minutes later, Frias scored again from 6 yards out and added a 34-yard touchdown run with 13:51 left in the game to give MJC a 48-37 lead.
Frias finished the regular season with 765 yards rushing and a team-high 15 rushing touchdowns.
MJC quarterback Gino Campiotti (Manteca High) rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns and completed 10 of 13 passes for 131 yards.
Campiotti leads the team in rushing with 802 yards.
The Pirates finished with 294 yards rushing and scored all seven touchdowns on the ground.
The Pirates forced three turnovers, including two fourth-quarter interceptions by defensive back Tyler Rathjen, a Linden High graduate.
Sequoias quarterback Natan Lamb completed 37 of 55 passes for 455 yards and two touchdowns.
There are five Northern California bowl games – one on Nov. 27 and four on Dec. 4 – scheduled. Teams and sites have yet to be announced.
