MJC seeks bounceback victory over Fresno

Two games remain – the basic truth that has kept the Modesto Junior College Pirates moving forward this week.

The bus ride home from Hayward last weekend must have seemed like forever after Modesto’s 60-53 loss in overtime to Chabot. The Pirates (5-3, 2-1) sought hope after that heartbreaker, and they found it with one glance at the remaining schedule.

Or, as sophomore quarterback Trey Cooper put it, “We still have intentions.”

MJC’s intentions will be displayed during its final regular-season home game, an important Valley Conference meeting Saturday afternoon against Fresno. There’s still time to recover for the Pirates.

They trail Chabot (6-2, 3-0), the only remaining unbeaten league team, after the pivotal result last week. As the Pirates know too well, how they bounce back will define their season.

“Good team leadership has helped us turn the page,” coach Rusty Stivers said. “There is a lot at stake.”

Thirty-one sophomores will be recognized before Saturday’s kickoff, and each one seeks more football after the finale Nov. 14 at San Joaquin Delta. But first things first. All league-title and playoff possibilities hinge on a victory over Fresno.

The Rams (4-4, 1-2) have dropped two straight, 52-17 to Chabot and 47-40 last week to improving Delta. A year ago, Modesto earned its first win over Fresno in 16 years with a satisfying 49-42 victory.

Cooper accounted for 498 total yards and five touchdowns last year, a performance he no doubt would like to repeat.

“We have new people. They have new people,” Cooper cautioned. “I’m pretty sure it will be a dogfight again.”

Expect another shootout. Cooper and Fresno sophomore quarterback Christian Rossi lead productive offenses. Rossi is tied for sixth in California with his 22 touchdown passes, while Cooper anchors an offense that averages 473.9 yards per game, seventh-best in the state.

Fresno mixes a power running game with Rossi’s throws deep downfield to receiver Kailon Carter. James Whitfield caught three TD passes against Delta. Meanwhile, Cooper was named the state’s passing Player of the Week after he threw for 313 yards and four touchdowns (plus 132 rushing yards and two TDs) at Chabot. He gladly would have traded that recognition for a win.

Thomas Langley’s short field goal with 35 seconds left in regulation gave Modesto a 53-50 lead, which held up until Ivan Flores’ 44-yard field goal as time expired.

The Gladiators opened the overtime with a touchdown, followed by Cooper’s game-ending interception to Kareem Dabney. The teams combined for 1,150 yards of offense, 606 by the fast-breaking Pirates.

“Everything fell into place for them (Chabot). They’re on a roll,” Stivers said. “They have the whole package and they’re very good at home.”

The champions of the Valley, Bay 6 and NorCal Leagues, plus a wild-card qualifier from those leagues, will form the bracket that will produce the NorCal champion. Modesto is ranked fourth in regional power ratings, a potential plus. More important, however, are wins in its final two games.

“If we win out, we could be in the playoffs,” Stivers said.

Notes: Kickoff is 1 p.m. Saturday at MJC Stadium. ... Modesto is fourth in the state with its 25.3 first downs per game and is ninth in rushing at 219.6 yards per game. ... The Pirates start only one true freshman, defensive end Andy Jennings.

This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 4:52 PM with the headline "MJC seeks bounceback victory over Fresno."