MJC football overcomes slow start, injuries to earn spot in state playoffs
After a 1-4 start, the Modesto Junior College football team wasn’t supposed to make it to the State Playoffs.
A bowl game? Maybe, but even that wasn’t a guarantee.
The Pirates (5-5) came together to turn their season around and secure a spot in the Northern California Playoffs as the fourth seed. They are one of eight teams in California that qualify for the state playoffs. Four advance from the north and four from the south. The two regional champions meet for the state championship.
They will play No. 1 College of San Mateo (9-1) Saturday at noon in the first round. The game will be streamed live on BAOSN TV.
“The exciting thing about this is there’s almost 70 JCs in California,” Pirates coach Rusty Stivers said. “There’s only eight teams that are in the state playoffs and we’re one of the four teams from the north. Everything everybody tries to do is ... get into the state playoff bracket because that gives you a chance to win or play for a state championship.”
With two Valley Conference games remaining and a 4-4 record, the Pirates needed wins. They needed a total of five victories to earn a bowl game appearance and if they couldn’t get to five, they had to win their conference.
They dropped a home game to College of the Sequoias, 28-24, meaning their final game against Fresno City College would either send them into the playoffs or send them home.
After squeaking by with a narrow 28-20 win Nov. 12, the Pirates secured a share of the conference title for the second straight season. Unlike last year, however, they advanced to the state playoffs because by beating the Rams, they owned the tiebreaker.
The last time the Pirates played San Mateo, the trajectory of their season changed.
Starting quarterback Luke Weaver (East Union) and backup Marcus Ordunez (Pacheco) were injured. Cruz Marines (Gregori) filled in for a short time before Keith Orona (Enochs), who was originally supposed to grayshirt to save this year of eligibility, earned the job.
Stivers said he left the decision to play this year up to Orona but told him if he did suit up, he would see at least some playing time as the second healthy quarterback on the roster.
While the Pirates figured things out on offense, the defense proved to be the team’s backbone.
During conference play, the Pirates have given up almost 13 points a game and have recovered six fumbles, forced five interceptions and have a pick-6 and scored just over 28.
“We’re playing high level football on defense,” Stivers said. “We’re very active and to be honest, (that is) the reason we’re in this position.”
Through the highs and lows of the season, Stivers credits his players’ experience for keeping the team moving forward. With a large number of sophomores remaining who received an extra season of eligibility due to the pandemic, the veterans played a large role.
On offense, Valley Conference Most Valuable Offensive Player and team captain Jacob DeJesus (Manteca) became Orona’s go-to guy. Defensively, linebackers Payton Bradford (Oakdale) and Cam Snow (Oakdale) led the defense and the young secondary made plays when necessary.
“Our captains steered us in the right direction,” Stivers said. “It was very even-keeled and businesslike, and that’s how our captains are. They’re very matter of fact and were like, ‘Let’s go to work.’”
Including DeJesus’s player of the year award, the Pirates finished the regular season with 12 All-Conference nominees. Running backs Kimoni Stanley (Sierra) and Aiden Taylor (Central Catholic, tight end Holden Baldwin (Turlock), offensive linemen Tyler McCahan (Amador) and Alex Ramirez (Beyer), defensive end Josh Valdez (Sierra), defensive back Jalon Jackson (Buhach Colony) and Snow earned All-Conference. Defensive end Ethan Day (Ripon), defensive back Tyler Rathjen (Linden) and Bradford earned Honorable Mention honors. Stivers was also named Coach of the Year.
This story was originally published November 23, 2022 at 3:39 PM.
