New Modesto Junior College football coach: Opener ‘will be relief to play’

The Modesto Junior College Pirates are closing in on the 2015 season opener while their new head coach can’t find enough time to do all his work.

Rusty Stivers, promoted after his work since 2006 as the offensive coordinator, is working at too fast a pace to get nervous. That might be a good thing with American River, a program accounting for 49 wins in the last five seasons, knocking on the home team’s door Saturday at 6 p.m.

“It will actually be a relief to play,” Stivers said this week. “I start in the morning and just go until practice. The days are flying by.”

Scouting community college football teams before a season opener is, if not impossible, almost useless. More than half the rosters turn over after each season, and the unknowns far outnumber the knowns.

All Modesto can count on from American River, the reigning NorCal Conference champion, is that the Beavers are ranked fourth in California – the Pirates are unranked – and Jon Osterhout returns for his second season as head coach.

Last year, Modesto frittered away a six-point, second-half lead via three turnovers and was beaten in the opener by ARC 27-17. Anthony Cota, who eventually became MJC’s career-leading rusher, was injured and sidelined during the game’s opening series.

American River finished 10-2, including victories over Butte and City College of San Francisco, but dropped the NorCal regional final to CCSF 17-14 in the final seconds. The Pirates rallied late in the season to go 4-6 and tie for third in the Valley Conference.

That said, Modesto figures to compete on equal terms against ARC, a former Valley Conference member. The last time the Beavers came to MJC Stadium, in 2013, they were unbeaten and ranked third in the state until they were stunned 43-42.

“We’re both scouting each other off film from recent years,” Stivers said.

To no one’s surprise, Trey Cooper will start at quarterback for Modesto. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound sophomore started the last three games in 2014 and accounted for 19 touchdowns.

“Trey looks good,” Stivers said. “It all depends on how the defense plays, but his number will be called.”

Emerging as the starting tailback is sophomore Andre Edwards, Cota’s backup last year. Like Cota, Edwards improved his strength for this season and it showed at last week’s Blue and White scrimmage. Protecting Cooper’s blind side is returning all-league selection Niles Graham (6-5, 370).

Safeties Herman Harris and Tyler Johnson patrol the MJC defense. Five defenders who were held out of the scrimmage – Harris, tackle Kody Day, end Kyle Dawson, linebacker Bryndon McAndrews and defensive back DeWayne Finney Jr. – all will play against American River.

“I’m most concerned about the things we can control – attitude, effort and execution,” Stivers said.

Notes – Coach Dick Loyd and former Atlanta Falcons linebacker John Rade are expected to attend the 35-year reunion of MJC’s 11-0 1980 team Saturday night. ... About 280 people attended the inaugural MJC Kickoff Dinner last weekend at the MJC (West) Ag Pavilion. Stivers said about $15,000 was raised, a good starting point for the event. ... The new coaches on Stivers’ staff are former MJC quarterback Zach Hollis (wide receivers) and Thomas Lanto (running backs). Kirk Peterson (recruiting coordinator) and Jeff Borden (placement coordinators) fill newly created positions. Former head coach Sam Young replaces Rob Cozart (now at Patterson High) as linebackers coach.

This story was originally published September 3, 2015 at 1:57 PM with the headline "New Modesto Junior College football coach: Opener ‘will be relief to play’."