Merced College’s new football coach wants to compete with ‘guys in our own yard’
In his first season as the Merced College head football coach, Justin Pinasco didn’t recruit one out-of-state player.
The Blue Devils will definitely have a local feel with 63 of the 69 players coming from Merced County or neighboring Stanislaus, Fresno or Madera counties.
“We can compete with guys in our own yard,” Pinasco said. “Being from here, it’s important to me to get guys from our area. I think we also see more support from our community with more local guys. I remember the bowl game at the end of last year there were times I couldn’t hear on the headset because the crowd was so loud.”
Saturday’s game against College of the Redwoods at Merced College’s Don Odishoo Field at Stadium ‘76 will mark Pinasco’s debut as the Blue Devils head coach. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
Pinasco takes over for Bob Casey, who coached the Blue Devils from 2010 through 2021, leading Merced College to a 53-59 record during his tenure.
Pinasco, 48, becomes just the sixth Merced College football coach in the program’s history. Pinasco played at Merced College under former Blue Devils head coach Tony Lewis and then served as an assistant coach for 27 years.
Pinasco says he has seen an uptick in his daily phone calls, text messages and e-mails with the transition to head coach.
“I’ve been here so long it hasn’t been a dramatic change with everything else,” Pinasco said. “A lot of the other stuff hasn’t changed except that I have the last say.”
One thing you’ll hear Pinasco say often is, “Do better.” Those two words have become the program’s motto with the coaches wearing “Do better” on the back of their shirts during last week’s scrimmage against Fresno City.
“I probably hear him say it 20 times an hour,” said freshman defensive linemen Samari Russo. “Coach Pinasco definitely keeps you to a high standard. He’s going to make sure you’re getting stuff done. He doesn’t just want you to do better in football, but life in general.”
Players to watch
Russo will play a key part in the Blue Devils defense at defensive end and will also see time as an interior defensive lineman.
Russo teams up with sophomore Joshua Hickman and freshman Jaylen Thao-Booth to give the Blue Devils some talented edge rushers.
Players like Nate Ruiz, Johnny Bravo, Blake Westmoreland, Youlas Dickson and Michael Dinkins will all be counted on heavily on defense.
“Our defense is going to be pretty nice this year,” Russo said.
The offense should feature a strong ground game with one of the top running backs in the state last year, Justin Incaprera, returning. The former Los Banos star finished second in the state with 15 touchdowns and was third in yards per game at 102.3.
He’ll be joined in the backfield by Malachy Harts, Peyton Johnson, Isaiah Hidalgo and Luke Anderson.
Pinasco expects big things from his offensive line which will be led by Aristeo Prado, Jayden Ramos, Hector Velasquez, Damian Saenz and Ethan Sandoval.
“We have some physically strong guys in our backfield and a big offensive line returning,” Pinasco said. “I’m excited to see how that plays out.”
Sophomore Jacob Bettencourt appears to be the starting quarterback to open up this season and he’ll have some weapons in receivers Ronnie Harris, Evahn Perez, Jayden Vargas and tight end Tony Woolsey.
Pinasco says he’s really liked the commitment this group has shown since January and feels this team has benefited from having a full offseason.
“These guys have been working since January,” Pinasco said. “I feel like these guys are in the best shape at this time of year than any group we’ve had since I’ve been here.”
The players are ready to see if that work will pay off.
“I’ve been excited to get out there since this summer,” Russo said. “We’re ready to go.”
Blue Devils 2022 schedule
Sept. 3 vs. Redwoods, noon
Sept. 10 at Foothill, 7 p.m.
Sept. 17 vs. Los Medanos, 7 p.m.
Oct. 1 vs. Hartnell, 7 p.m.
Oct. 8 at Cabrillo, 7 p.m.
Oct. 15 at San Jose, 1 p.m.
Oct. 22 at De Anza, 1 p.m.
Nov. 5 at Gavilan, 1 p.m.
Nov. 12 vs. West Hills, 1 p.m.
Nov. 19 vs. Monterey Peninsula 1 p.m.
