MODESTO – The Modesto Junior College Pirates have entered their bye week with preparations to make and goals to be achieved.
MJC (6-2, 3-0), ranked seventh in California according to the JC Athletic Bureau, own the inside track toward a fourth straight Valley Conference title. The Pirates earned that position by holding on to beat rival Fresno 31-27 at Ratcliffe Stadium last month. For perspective, the Rams and the Pirates have dominated the Valley since 2018.
While MJC is on the sidelines this weekend, College of the Sequoias (6-2, 2-0) squares off at home against Fresno. If victorious, COS will come to MJC a week from Saturday for a championship showdown. The Pirates will finish with a non-league game Nov. 16 at Foothill, a late addition after league affiliate Contra Costa could not field a team.
“It will come down to the last two weeks,” MJC coach Rusty Stivers told members of the Modesto Quarterback Club during its final lunch meeting of the season Monday.
The Pirates stayed on top with a convincing 35-7 victory last weekend over Sacramento City. For now, MJC is seeded No. 3 among the four potential qualifiers for the Northern California playoffs. MJC’s plan is simple – keep winning.
Ten team leaders, five from the offense and five from the defense, joined Stivers at the QB club. So far, they have no complaints.
“A brotherhood, a great bond,” safety Jaelen Nichols said.
“We have no quit, ”running back J.T. Foreman said. “We have each other’s backs.”
“Our team is led by our players. They were selected as our board of trustees,” Stivers said. "They make more decisions on this team than the coaches.”
Once again, the roster comprises almost entirely of players from the 209.
“It’s exciting to compete at a high level with our guys,” Stivers said.
NOTES – Downey (9-1),the runner-up behind Turlock in the Central California Athletic League, will welcome Edison of Stockton for a rematch Friday night to open the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs. The September meeting was tight, a 35-20 Knights win decided by Daley Holmes’ 99-yard pick-6. “We were fortunate to get a win,” Downey coach Jeremy Plaa said. The Knights finished the regular season with a 61-35 victory over Gregori (4-6, 3-2 CCAL). A 30-yard scoop-and-score by senior lineman Ryne Moore keyed Downey’s pull-away. … The game was called with about two minutes left, following a neck injury incurred by Jaguars junior Bryce Simonds. Gregori coach Lamar Wallace said Simonds is doing well. …
Johansen (5-5) lost to Grace Davis 35-22 but still earned its first playoff berth since 2008. Coach Rod Smith sympathized with Davis, especially after Johansen missed the postseason last year. The Vikings defeated Mountain House in 2023 to leave both teams at 6-4, but Mountain House advanced. “I still don’t know how power ratings work. It’s a frustrating thing,” Smith said. Johansen will visit Vista del Lago of Folsom on Friday night. … Davis coach Trevor Mew said the Spartans (5-5) put together a complete game against Johansen but did not make excuses about missing the playoffs. “We didn’t take care of businesses in the weeks prior,” Mew said. …
Modesto (3-7) finished with a difficult 31-27 loss to Pitman. Coach Dylan Miller praised senior Vantheesouk Dam for a good season capped by a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Pride. “We didn’t see improvement on the record, but we put a lot of good things on tape,” Miller said. … Big Valley Christian (5-5) accepted a non-league trip to Elite Academy of Vallejo only five days before the game. Despite the 34-14 loss, the Lions advance in Division VII for a home game against Valley Christian. BVC has promoted 10 sophomores for the game. The winner will travel to No. 4 seed Waterford. Big Valley has not won a post-season game since 2015. ….
Enochs (2-8) avoided a shutout on its final snap, which resulted in a touchdown pass from Johnny Staggs to Davian Garcia. The Eagles were beaten by Turlock 51-7. … Beyer coach Mike Young will return about a dozen seniors next fall, and he hopes the experience will produce improvement from this season’s 2-8. The Patriots were beaten by Western Athletic Conference champion Lathrop 56-6. …
Central Catholic (7-3) rested its starters in the second half of its 47-14 victory over Sierra. The Raiders, seeded third in Division I, earned a bye and will await the Laguna Creek-Turlock winner. …
Modesto Christian, weakened by insufficient numbers, was deemed an independent during the season by Trans-Valley League officials. The Crusaders went 0-7 and did not score. … Quarterback club president Steve Finch said each Modesto school will receive $600 from the club. The QB club, which has existed since 1930, closed its annual run of meetings at the Denny’s on McHenry Avenue not far from Doctors Medical Center. “We want to make it to 100 years,” Finch said.
Division I: Central Catholic (3),bye; Edison (9) at Downey (8); Laguna Creek (11) at Turlock (6).
Division II: Manteca(4), bye; Kimball (9) at Elk Grove (8); Atwater (10) at Vacaville (7).
Division III: Oakdale(1), bye; Johansen (11) at Vista del Lago (56); Rio Americano (10) at Merced (7).
Division IV: Patterson (2), bye; Fairfield (12) at Escalon (5); Sierra (9) at Yuba City (8); East Union (10) at Nevada Union (7).
Division V: Hughson(1), bye; Lathrop (3), bye; Livingston (11) at Hilmar (6).
Division VI: Sonora (3), bye; Linden (4), bye. Delhi (12) at Orestimba (5); Bear River (9) at Ripon Christian (8); Calaveras (11) at Wheatland (6); Ripon (10) at Liberty Ranch (7).
Division VII: Summerville (1), bye; Stone Ridge Christian(2), bye; Waterford (4), bye; Golden Sierra (9) at Gustine (8); Valley Christian (12) at Big Valley Christian (5); Delta (10) at Denair (7).
For complete bracket pairings, visit cifsjs.org.
