The Modesto Christian Crusaders’ 13-year football tenure in the Trans-Valley League probably has finished.
MC, the school that produced a CIF state football championship in 2009, has become an independent in football for the duration of this year and in 2025.
The decision was made by TVL principals and athletic directors – with Sac-Joaquin Section Associate Commissioner Jason Feuerbach and TVL Commissioner Bob Lee in attendance – during a meeting Tuesday morning in Hughson.
The action was taken as the TVL begins its conference schedule. Modesto Christian will play its homecoming game Friday night against Orestimba, according to officials from both schools.
After this week, however, the TVL plans for a future without MC.
The decision frees up the TVL teams to fill their Modesto Christian date. The Crusaders can reschedule only if the TVL foe on its date has rescheduled.
Another important stipulation is that Modesto Christian will not forfeit any games nor will it drop the program. The Modesto Bee reported that the Crusaders will play their Oct. 4 home game against Ripon Christian. Hilmar has covered its Oct. 18 date with a trip to Summerville.
Athletic Director Brice Fantazia reportedly was the only MC representative at the meeting. He could not be reached for comment.
Declining enrollment has forced Modesto Christian into a painful corner in football. The Crusaders(0-3) reportedly had only 14 players on the field, six of them freshmen, during a 73-0 loss to Stone Ridge Christian last week. MC is scoreless thus far this season.
Simply, Modesto Christian recognized it could not compete against rugged TVL powers Escalon, Hughson, Hilmar, and Sonora. The safety of its players no doubt also was a factor.
First-year coach Michael McFadden, speaking at the Modesto Quarterback Club lunch-meeting Monday, praised his team for maxing out despite the hardship. One local team is honored each week at the club, and it was MC’s turn on Monday. Four Crusaders were introduced.
“They don’t cry about it and play for the future of Modesto Christian football,” McFadden said. “I’m here for growing these young men. When Modesto Christian gets back to winning, I want these kids to be there.”
McFadden insisted at quarterback club meetings, including Monday's, that the Crusaders will play out their TVL schedule. That will not happen.
TVL coaches feared this scenario all year. Some schools made contingency plans that were not realized due to MC uncertainty.
“When you lose a game in football, you’ve lost 10 per cent of your season,” Escalon coach Andrew Beam said. “It’s an opportunity lost by everyone.”
Modesto Christian enjoyed great success in the TVL. The Crusaders, coached by Mike Parsons and led on the field by Isaiah Burse, went 15-0 and won the state D-IV championship in 2009. They were promoted to the TVL the following year.
The Crusaders won three TVL titles – an outright in 2014, a tie for first with Escalon and Ripon in 2017 and a tie with Ripon in 2018. They reached the section D-VI final in 2017, losing to Hilmar.
Parsons stepped down after the ’18 campaign, however, and MC could not overcome declining numbers and constant coaching changes.
Since 2018, the Crusaders tumbled to 4-19 in the TVL. Last fall, they went winless in league play for the first time (0-5) as their enrollment tumbled to 77 students. Their total record in the TVL was 37-36.
