{"id":15,"date":"2018-11-21T17:26:05","date_gmt":"2018-11-21T17:26:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/azjucofootballhome.wordpress.com\/?page_id=15"},"modified":"2018-12-01T16:10:31","modified_gmt":"2018-12-01T23:10:31","slug":"mesa-cc","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/mesa-cc\/","title":{"rendered":"Mesa"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>JUCO Fight Still Just &#8216;2nd-and-10&#8217;<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><em>Click below to view scenes from Mesa&#8217;s final two games of the 2018 season.<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- Final Tiles Grid Gallery for WordPress v3.6.8 free --><style>#ftg-33 .tile .icon { color:#ffffff; }#ftg-33 .ftg-items .loading-bar i { background:#666; }#ftg-33 .ftg-items .loading-bar { background:#fff; }#ftg-33 .tile .icon { font-size:12px; }#ftg-33 .tile .icon { margin: -6px 0 0 -6px; }#ftg-33 .tile .caption-block .text-wrapper span.text { font-size:12px; }#ftg-33 .tile .caption-outside .text-wrapper span.text { font-size:12px; }#ftg-33 .tile .caption-block .text-wrapper span.title { font-size:14px; }#ftg-33 .tile .caption-outside .text-wrapper span.title { font-size:14px; }#ftg-33 .tile { background-color: transparent; }#ftg-33 .tile .caption-block .text-wrapper span.text { color: #ffffff; }#ftg-33 .tile .caption-block .text-wrapper span.title { color: #ffffff; }#ftg-33 .tile .caption-outside .text-wrapper span.text { color: #ffffff; }#ftg-33 .tile .caption-outside .text-wrapper span.title { color: #ffffff; }#ftg-33 .tile .ftg-social a { color: #ffffff; }#ftg-33 .tile .caption-block { transition-timing-function:ease; }#ftg-33 .tile .caption-block { transition-duration:0.25s; }#ftg-33 .tile .tile-inner:before { background-color: #000000; }#ftg-33 .tile .tile-inner:before { background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); }#ftg-33 .tile:hover img {-moz-transform: ;-webkit-transform: ;-o-transform: ;-ms-transform: ;transform: ;}<\/style><a name=\"3\"><\/a><div class=\"final-tiles-gallery  ftg-hover-enabled caption-inside  caption-none caption-middle caption-center\" id=\"ftg-33\" style=\"width: 100%\"><div class='ftg-items'><div class='loading-bar'><i><\/i><\/div><div  class='tile ftg-preload  '><a title=\"Sophomore quarterback Tyler Worrell rolls out to pass against Scottsdale. Worrell is just one of the Mesa players looking to move on to a four year university next season. (Photo by Sarah Farrell)\" data-lightbox='ftg-33' rel='ftg-33'  class=' tile-inner  ftg-lightbox' href='https:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ENTERPRISE_FINAL-62-1024x688.jpg' ><img alt='Sophomore quarterback Tyler Worrell rolls out to pass against Scottsdale. Worrell is just one of the Mesa players looking to move on to a four year university next season. (Photo by Sarah Farrell)' class='item skip-lazy' data-class='item' data-ftg-source='http:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ENTERPRISE_FINAL-62-2000x1200.jpg' src='http:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ENTERPRISE_FINAL-62-2000x1200.jpg' width='2000' height='1344' \/><div class='caption-block'><div class='text-wrapper'><span class='text'>Sophomore quarterback Tyler Worrell rolls out to pass against Scottsdale. Worrell is just one of the Mesa players looking to move on to a four year university next season. (Photo by Sarah Farrell)<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/a><div class='ftg-social'><\/div><\/div><div  class='tile ftg-preload  '><a title=\"Freshman wide receiver Trevor Russell runs through the Scottsdale defense. The Thunderbirds dropped a close game in Scottsdale 22-38. (Photo by Sarah Farrell)\" data-lightbox='ftg-33' rel='ftg-33'  class=' tile-inner  ftg-lightbox' href='https:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ENTERPRISE_FINAL-49-1024x682.jpg' ><img alt='Freshman wide receiver Trevor Russell runs through the Scottsdale defense. The Thunderbirds dropped a close game in Scottsdale 22-38. (Photo by Sarah Farrell)' class='item skip-lazy' data-class='item' data-ftg-source='http:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ENTERPRISE_FINAL-49-2000x1200.jpg' src='http:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ENTERPRISE_FINAL-49-2000x1200.jpg' width='2000' height='1333' \/><div class='caption-block'><div class='text-wrapper'><span class='text'>Freshman wide receiver Trevor Russell runs through the Scottsdale defense. The Thunderbirds dropped a close game in Scottsdale 22-38. (Photo by Sarah Farrell)<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/a><div class='ftg-social'><\/div><\/div><div  class='tile ftg-preload  '><a title=\"The Mesa defense was stout during the first half of their game with Scottsdale. Sophomore defensive lineman Ronathon Elmore gets the hit on  the quarterback. (Photo by Sarah Farrell)\" data-lightbox='ftg-33' rel='ftg-33'  class=' tile-inner  ftg-lightbox' href='https:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ENTERPRISE_FINAL-50-1024x683.jpg' ><img alt='The Mesa defense was stout during the first half of their game with Scottsdale. Sophomore defensive lineman Ronathon Elmore gets the hit on  the quarterback. (Photo by Sarah Farrell)' class='item skip-lazy' data-class='item' data-ftg-source='http:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ENTERPRISE_FINAL-50-2000x1200.jpg' src='http:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ENTERPRISE_FINAL-50-2000x1200.jpg' width='2000' height='1334' \/><div class='caption-block'><div class='text-wrapper'><span class='text'>The Mesa defense was stout during the first half of their game with Scottsdale. Sophomore defensive lineman Ronathon Elmore gets the hit on  the quarterback. (Photo by Sarah Farrell)<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/a><div class='ftg-social'><\/div><\/div><div  class='tile ftg-preload  '><a title=\"The Mesa offensive line gets some coaching during their final home game Nov. 10. The Thunderbirds got the 37-12 win over Phoenix College. (Photo by Matthew Roy)\" data-lightbox='ftg-33' rel='ftg-33'  class=' tile-inner  ftg-lightbox' href='https:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ENTERPRISE_FINAL-76-1024x684.jpg' ><img alt='The Mesa offensive line gets some coaching during their final home game Nov. 10. The Thunderbirds got the 37-12 win over Phoenix College. (Photo by Matthew Roy)' class='item skip-lazy' data-class='item' data-ftg-source='http:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ENTERPRISE_FINAL-76-2000x1200.jpg' src='http:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ENTERPRISE_FINAL-76-2000x1200.jpg' width='2000' height='1335' \/><div class='caption-block'><div class='text-wrapper'><span class='text'>The Mesa offensive line gets some coaching during their final home game Nov. 10. The Thunderbirds got the 37-12 win over Phoenix College. (Photo by Matthew Roy)<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/a><div class='ftg-social'><\/div><\/div><div  class='tile ftg-preload  '><a title=\"Freshman linebacker Jaquan Beaver makes the open field tackle on the Bears\u2019 running back. He is one of 45 freshman on the Thunderbird\u2019s roster this season. (Photo by Matthew Roy)\" data-lightbox='ftg-33' rel='ftg-33'  class=' tile-inner  ftg-lightbox' href='https:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ENTERPRISE_FINAL-80-1024x682.jpg' ><img alt='Freshman linebacker Jaquan Beaver makes the open field tackle on the Bears\u2019 running back. He is one of 45 freshman on the Thunderbird\u2019s roster this season. (Photo by Matthew Roy)' class='item skip-lazy' data-class='item' data-ftg-source='http:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ENTERPRISE_FINAL-80-2000x1200.jpg' src='http:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ENTERPRISE_FINAL-80-2000x1200.jpg' width='2000' height='1333' \/><div class='caption-block'><div class='text-wrapper'><span class='text'>Freshman linebacker Jaquan Beaver makes the open field tackle on the Bears\u2019 running back. He is one of 45 freshman on the Thunderbird\u2019s roster this season. (Photo by Matthew Roy)<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/a><div class='ftg-social'><\/div><\/div><div  class='tile ftg-preload  '><a title=\"Mesa players warm up before their final home game of the 2018 season. They finished the season with a 4-5 overall record. (Photo by Matthew Roy)\" data-lightbox='ftg-33' rel='ftg-33'  class=' tile-inner  ftg-lightbox' href='https:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ENTERPRISE_FINAL-81-1024x682.jpg' ><img alt='Mesa players warm up before their final home game of the 2018 season. They finished the season with a 4-5 overall record. (Photo by Matthew Roy)' class='item skip-lazy' data-class='item' data-ftg-source='http:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ENTERPRISE_FINAL-81-2000x1200.jpg' src='http:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ENTERPRISE_FINAL-81-2000x1200.jpg' width='2000' height='1333' \/><div class='caption-block'><div class='text-wrapper'><span class='text'>Mesa players warm up before their final home game of the 2018 season. They finished the season with a 4-5 overall record. (Photo by Matthew Roy)<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/a><div class='ftg-social'><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mesa Community College head coach Ryan Felker, former Glendale Community College head coach Joe Kersting and former MCC football player, Dr. Louis Casillas, have been leading the fight to save junior college (JUCO) football in Maricopa County for nine months. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cDon\u2019t screw with football coaches,\u201d Felker said. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When the decision came down, Felker said he was pulled into former MCC President <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sasan Poureetezadi\u2019s office. Poureetezadi told him that all media inquiries were to be directed to the district. When Felker asked why, he was told that everything will be handled by Matt Hasson, director of communications and public relations for the district. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coach Mark Mejia of Phoenix College said that a similar \u00a0thing happened to him after the announcement came down. Some coaches referred to the instructions as a \u201cgag order.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hasson denied that there was a \u201cgag order,\u201d but instead said the instructions were an attempt for the district to field media questions, because their officials were more knowledgeable about the decision to cut football. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The directions that the district office passed down had some coaches fearful of their jobs, Kersting said. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI got involved because of the gag order that came down,\u201d Kersting said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, with football now over, the coaches were more willing to speak out about the situation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI don\u2019t care about my job anymore, it\u2019s about the kids,\u201d Felker said. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Casillas said the decision to cut football was a travesty. When he was growing up, he didn\u2019t have the ability or maturity to play football at a big Division I college, so Casillas turned to MCC to further his development. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHow do you put a value on a life?\u201d Casillas said with a long pause. \u201cI always hear that it\u2019s [the decision] is finances. But, you can\u2019t put a value or a number on the life of a kid.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Casillas had a successful playing career and even won a national championship. After graduation, he became a successful dentist in the Valley, but he still kept his finger on the pulse of the program that gave him his life&#8217;s chance. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhen this situation arose, I had to jump in and try to fight for these kids and their futures and their passion,\u201d Casillas said. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Felker said there is still a chance to save football and they will not stop fighting until there is no hope left, not matter what it takes. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThis might get ugly,\u201d Kersting said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u201cBut I don\u2019t even think we\u2019ve gotten to third down yet,\u201d Kersting said with a laugh. \u201cI think on first down we threw an incomplete pass and now it\u2019s second and long, second and 10.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Together, Felker, Casillas and Kersting said they believe they have been making progress toward their goal. Felker alluded to big changes coming down the line, but would not be specific as to what he was referring to. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When pressed, Felker said, \u201cYou\u2019ll see soon. Everyone will.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MCC finished their final season 4-5 overall and just 2-4 in conference. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>JUCO Fight Still Just &#8216;2nd-and-10&#8217; Click below to view scenes from Mesa&#8217;s final two games of the 2018 season. Mesa Community College head coach Ryan Felker, former Glendale Community College head coach Joe Kersting and former MCC football player, Dr. Louis Casillas, have been leading the fight to save junior college (JUCO) football in Maricopa &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/mesa-cc\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Mesa<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":59,"parent":0,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-15","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":199,"href":"https:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15\/revisions\/199"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/59"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/onestepdeeper.com\/jucofootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}