Pirates trot out fourth starting QB against Chabot

Modesto Junior College’s latest starting quarterback wasn’t even listed on the Pirates’ season-opening roster.

His name is Trey Cooper, the fourth Pirate to receive his chance as a starter, and he’s eager to show his talent Saturday night at home against Chabot.

“I’m very excited,” he said. “I’ve already learned that everything is a lot faster (at the community college level). I don’t have the time to juke. I have to get up the field. Fast.”

Cooper, a graduate of Enochs High, will try to stabilize a most unstable position for MJC.

Three have started ahead of him: Spencer Thomas, Joseph Legerrette-Luke and Embry Allen Jr. Thomas has bounced in and out of the lineup due to injuries, the latest one during the fourth quarter of last week’s 29-28 loss to Laney.

Allen, the Pirates’ starting wide receiver, was forced to take the snaps against City College of San Francisco. Legerrette-Luke, the starter against Diablo Valley, left the team due to a personal medical matter.

Modesto had grown accustomed to smooth sailing at quarterback. Since 2006, the Pirates had transitioned seamlessly from Chad Draper to Greg Panelli to Devin Combs to Quinton McCown to TeeJay Gordon.

“We tempted the fates for sure. There’s no way to explain it. You get a rash of bad luck,” MJC coach Sam Young said. “I think Trey is ready to do this. He’s played a lot already. He is a strong runner and adequate passer. We can tailor the offense to match his skills.”

Cooper, who didn’t see action last year as Gordon’s backup, didn’t officially join the team until an academic issue was cleared a month ago. Young hoped to redshirt him but the Pirates’ 911 bells were ringing at quarterback. Cooper has rushed for touchdowns in the last three games, in fact, and hopes to stamp his imprint on the offense.

“I want to bring a second threat,” he said, in reference to sophomore Anthony Cota, one of California’s top tailbacks. “Now they’ll have to watch for me, too.”

Modesto (2-5, 1-1) needs a strong game from Cooper to salve the wounds from last week’s loss. Laney kicked a field goal for the winning points with 3:38 left, which was set up by Austin Conway’s acrobatic one-handed interception near the Pirates’ bench. Many on the sideline insisted Conway didn’t complete the catch, but Young said the video was inconclusive. The nearest official told Young he was blocked out and didn’t have the right angle.

“You couldn’t tell,” he said. “He grasped the ball in the air and you don’t know if he controlled the ball when he hit the ground.”

Chabot (3-4, 1-1), stung 49-21 last week at Fresno, hooks up with Modesto for the first time since the teams met in the Golden Gate Conference a decade ago. Laney and Chabot rejoined the Valley Conference this season.

“Chabot is a run-heavy team with a super athletic QB. We’re similar in style,” Young said. “They throw well enough to keep you honest.”

Notes – Kickoff is at 6 p.m. at MJC Stadium for the Pirates’ final night game of the season. Their remaining games, at Fresno next week and at home vs. Delta on Nov. 15, both begin at 1 p.m. ... Cota has moved to the top of the state list with his 119.9-yard per game rushing average. He’s ranked second in total yardage with his 839, behind only Kendrick Dorn of San Bernardino Valley (888), and is tied for second with 12 touchdowns.

This story was originally published October 30, 2014 at 8:30 PM with the headline "Pirates trot out fourth starting QB against Chabot."