Cocio closing in on Blue Devils’ season touchdown record as Gavilan comes to town.

The Merced College football team is back in action on Saturday night as the Blue Devils host Gavilan College at Stadium ’76.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

The Blue Devils (6-1 overall, 3-1 Golden Coast Conference) moved up to No. 20 in the state in the JC Athletic Bureau Poll of California Community College Football Coaches after last week’s 28-21 win over Reedley College last week.

Merced College is also ranked No. 1 in the Northern California American Division in the California Community College Athletic Association/California Community College Football Coaches Association Coaches Regional rankings.

Blue Devils Frank Cocio is putting together a strong season. His four touchdowns last week brought his season total to 21. The school record for touchdown passes in a season is 26 held by Chris Schaefer, who set the record in 1976.

Cocio has thrown for 1,631 yards this season.

Nick Cook is also accumulating some impressive numbers. The Blue Devils top receiver is tied for the state lead in touchdown catches with 13, including three more last week. The MC touchdown reception record for a season isn’t listed in the Blue Devils’ program, but Cook is putting up the best season for a receiver since Imani Percoats caught 87 passes for 1,686 yards in 1998.

Cook has caught 35 receptions for 653 yards this season.

Gavilan comes in winless this season at 0-7 overall and 0-3 in the GCC.

The Rams are led by receiver PJ Reichert, who has hauled in 40 catches for 478 yards and two touchdowns. The Gavilan offense has produced just 14.9 points per game.

This story was originally published October 27, 2017 at 1:40 PM with the headline "Cocio closing in on Blue Devils’ season touchdown record as Gavilan comes to town.."