Daniel Munoz delivered the hit. And Daniel Smith returned the fumble 28 yards for a score.
Munoz and Smith's timely play on special teams and Zack Wiedenbeck's safety lifted the Ceres High football team to a 16-6 victory over Atwater in Ceres Friday night.
The win ended Ceres' two-game losing streak.
"The kids were really dialed in," said Ceres defensive coordinator Brett Johnson.
"They played very spirited, intense football."
Ceres' defense was dominant.
The Bulldogs allowed just eight first downs and limited the Falcons to just 80 yards, including 30 rushing.
Wiedenbeck had 31/2 sacks, Nick Eudy had six tackles and 11/2 sacks and Jesus Cadenas had five tackles and one sack for the Bulldogs, who improved to 2-3 overall. Linebacker Luis Malagon and safety Brian Borges each had eight tackles.
Atwater quarterback Eric Wunder was ineffective for the Falcons, who fell to 3-2 overall. He completed just 8 of 20 passes for 50 yards.
Wunder filled in for Carl Perry, who was relegated to the bench with a sprained ankle, which was suffered at practice. Wunder was sacked six times and flagged for intentional grounding twice, including once in the end zone, which resulted in the safety.
"We had a good defensive week in practice and brought it to the field tonight," Wiedenbeck said.
Smith's score came 10 seconds after Ceres quarterback Derrick Goblirsch threw a 5-yard TD pass to Rafael Valencia, and Brandon Gresham converted the point-after-attempt kick, to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead with 6 minutes, 31 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Atwater cut Ceres' lead to 14-6 on Dirk Nelson's touchdown with 7:47 remaining. He returned Ryan Leazer's fumble 28 yards for a score.
Neither team scored in the first half.
Atwater failed to capitalize on three Ceres turnovers.
Ray Robles fumbled at the Ceres 45.
Goblirsch fumbled a snap at the Ceres 40.
Dingko Luangchai fumbled a pass from Goblirsch at the Atwater 27.
Ceres finished with 231 total yards.
Goblirsch completed 13 of 21 passes for 141 yards.
Robles ran for 46 yards on 20 carries.
Valencia caught six passes for 30 yards.
Cruz Flores caught four passes for 45 yards.
The Bulldogs play host to the Modesto High Panthers on Friday at 7:30 p.m. - By DALE BUTLER / Staff Reporter of The Ceres (Calif.) Courier
Munoz and Smith's timely play on special teams and Zack Wiedenbeck's safety lifted the Ceres High football team to a 16-6 victory over Atwater in Ceres Friday night.
The win ended Ceres' two-game losing streak.
"The kids were really dialed in," said Ceres defensive coordinator Brett Johnson.
"They played very spirited, intense football."
Ceres' defense was dominant.
The Bulldogs allowed just eight first downs and limited the Falcons to just 80 yards, including 30 rushing.
Wiedenbeck had 31/2 sacks, Nick Eudy had six tackles and 11/2 sacks and Jesus Cadenas had five tackles and one sack for the Bulldogs, who improved to 2-3 overall. Linebacker Luis Malagon and safety Brian Borges each had eight tackles.
Atwater quarterback Eric Wunder was ineffective for the Falcons, who fell to 3-2 overall. He completed just 8 of 20 passes for 50 yards.
Wunder filled in for Carl Perry, who was relegated to the bench with a sprained ankle, which was suffered at practice. Wunder was sacked six times and flagged for intentional grounding twice, including once in the end zone, which resulted in the safety.
"We had a good defensive week in practice and brought it to the field tonight," Wiedenbeck said.
Smith's score came 10 seconds after Ceres quarterback Derrick Goblirsch threw a 5-yard TD pass to Rafael Valencia, and Brandon Gresham converted the point-after-attempt kick, to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead with 6 minutes, 31 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Atwater cut Ceres' lead to 14-6 on Dirk Nelson's touchdown with 7:47 remaining. He returned Ryan Leazer's fumble 28 yards for a score.
Neither team scored in the first half.
Atwater failed to capitalize on three Ceres turnovers.
Ray Robles fumbled at the Ceres 45.
Goblirsch fumbled a snap at the Ceres 40.
Dingko Luangchai fumbled a pass from Goblirsch at the Atwater 27.
Ceres finished with 231 total yards.
Goblirsch completed 13 of 21 passes for 141 yards.
Robles ran for 46 yards on 20 carries.
Valencia caught six passes for 30 yards.
Cruz Flores caught four passes for 45 yards.
The Bulldogs play host to the Modesto High Panthers on Friday at 7:30 p.m. - By DALE BUTLER / Staff Reporter of The Ceres (Calif.) Courier
