Modesto Junior College to end football season with bowl game at Santa Rosa

The Modesto Junior College Pirates roll into Saturday’s North State Bowl game with one of California’s most lethal offenses.

Santa Rosa, defending its home turf, will answer with one of the state’s most stingy defenses. Such is the matchup for MJC’s season finale.

The Pirates (5-5) are ranked among the state leaders in three offensive categories: Fourth in yards per game (473), fourth in first downs (25.2) and seventh in points (40.2). Santa Rosa (6-4) is ranked eighth in the state in points allowed (20.3).

“They’ve played a lot of the same teams we’ve played, and they’ve played a lot of close games in their league, just like us,” MJC coach Rusty Stivers said.

MJC was beaten by City College of San Francisco 41-27, though Santa Rosa fell to the Rams 26-16. The Bear Cubs upset San Mateo 17-14, the same team that upended the Pirates 51-41. Santa Rosa was defeated by Delta 27-17 in its opener. Eleven weeks later, Delta stopped Modesto 42-35.

The numbers lay out a theory: Modesto should expect a close game, one that lacks the fireworks the Pirates often feature.

MJC quarterback Trey Cooper (2,415 yards, 17 touchdowns, eight interceptions) will test Santa Rosa’s freshman corners Keilan Benjamin and brother Keith Maurice Benjamin. The 230-pound Cooper also has rushed for 684 yards and 11 touchdowns, but he’s been slowed in recent games by injuries.

“We committed to him (Cooper) being our primary rushing threat before the season,” Stivers said. “He played a championship-type game at Chabot (Oct. 31). He hasn’t been the same since that game, but he keeps competing.”

The 60-53 overtime loss to Chabot triggered a three-game losing streak that dropped Modesto to fourth place in the Valley Conference. Santa Rosa owned its own disappointment with a 35-32 loss to Diablo Valley last week.

In the Northern California power rankings at season’s end, Modesto is eighth and Santa Rosa is ninth. Again, a tight game decided by a play or a bounce is anticipated.

Modesto wasn’t hit hard by injuries this season, but one position – running back – was hurt. Aden Ruiz’s recent playing time has been limited by an ankle injury, and the Pirates already have lost Andre Edwards and Ike Arvie.

In fact, the Pirates converted defensive back Javonte Norman to a running back last week. Norman scored a touchdown but also lost two fumbles against the Mustangs.

“We are banged up a little bit,” Stivers said. “But we are very excited to play this game. There are 69 teams in California, and (43) aren’t playing this week. It’s an honor that we’re one of the 10 in Northern California still playing.”

Notes – Kickoff is 5 p.m. Saturday at SRJC’s Bailey Field. ... Only a few MJC players, among them Cooper and receiver Justice Jordan, were on the active 2013 roster when the Pirates defeated Santa Rosa 48-39 in the Golden Valley Bowl. Cooper did not take a snap all season as Teejay Gordon’s backup. Jordan caught a pass for a 10-yard gain vs. the Bear Cubs. ... Stivers confirmed that Spencer Thomas, MJC’s starting quarterback for portions of the 2014 season, is recovering at home after he suffered a heart attack two weeks ago. Thomas, a starting outfielder for the MJC baseball team last spring, opted out of football and was preparing for the upcoming baseball season.

This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Modesto Junior College to end football season with bowl game at Santa Rosa."