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An impressive debut
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The Ceres Raptors had a memorable debut against the Modesto Titans in varsity youth football action on Saturday at Blaker-Kinser Jr. High School.

Donning red-and-white jerseys, the first-year program cruised to a 20-0 victory during the NYFL opener.

"I'm very proud of what we accomplished," coach Spencer Sumter said. "We set the tone for the rest of the season. We're letting everybody in the league know we're ready to play this year. We're not backing down from anyone."

Tailback Juan Reyes rushed for 112 yards and one touchdown.

Quarterback Deontae King scrambled for 45 yards and two scores.

The Raptors limited Modesto to 86 yards of total offense on 33 plays.

"I'm very surprised our defense did that because we didn't show our potential during the (preseason) jamboree," Sumter said. "We played with tenacity for all four quarters today. We keyed on their quarterback as much as possible. We contained him the whole game."

Ceres built a 14-0 lead in the first half.

King scored on a 5-yard bootleg to his left. Brandon Romo added the PAT.

Reyes set up the TD by returning the opening kickoff 42 yards to the Modesto 18.

"We weren't expecting that to happen," Sumter said.

King accounted for the Raptors' second touchdown midway through the first half when he raced 33 yards on a broken play. Ceres' center snapped the ball over Deontae's head. King paused for a moment before scooping up the ball and sprinting toward the end zone.

Reyes added a 98-yard rushing TD in the fourth quarter. The Raptors scored off a turnover, courtesy of Oscar Guerrero's fumble recovery.

Ceres will play host to the Weston Ranch Ravens this Saturday at Blaker-Kinser Jr. High. The NYFL contest will get underway at 4 p.m.