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Bulldogs exact revenge with impressive win over Wolves
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Livingston High School's varsity football team drew the ire of Ceres High coaches and players when it attempted an onside kick late in the second half of last year's Western Athletic Conference showdown. The Wolves ended up spoiling the Bulldogs' homecoming with a 39-8 victory.

Ceres High put together its most complete performance of the season during last week's rematch. The visiting Bulldogs humbled Livingston 37-20 Friday night.

"The kids remember last year when they ran the score up on us," Bulldogs head coach Bret Durossette said. "They wanted revenge."

"We were motivated," Ceres High running back Zach Naylor said. "Coach telling us we were going to win changed our perspective. We're just trying to keep Livingston out of the playoffs. We have so much hate for that team."

The Bulldogs improved to 3-5 overall and 2-2 in the WAC standings.

The Wolves dropped to 5-3 and 2-2.

The Bulldogs matched their win total from the previous four seasons (3-37).

"I don't think anybody thought we'd win a game this year," Durossette said. "We have some talented kids."

Said Naylor: "We've progressed a lot since the first game."

Zach rushed for 85 yards and a career-high three touchdowns on 20 carries.

George Arroyo gained 62 yards on 12 attempts.

Ivan Raya tallied a rushing TD.

Bulldog quarterback Blake Hurst threw for 146 yards and one touchdown.

James Rice caught five passes for 104 yards and one score.

Adam Welsh contributed at defensive back and on special teams.

"He (Welsh) did a phenomenal job," Durossette said.

The Bulldogs shut out the Wolves 16-0 in the first half.

Devon Ruger booted a 27-yard field goal, Raya scored on a 4-yard run and Naylor barreled his way into the end zone from the Livingston 1 in the second quarter.

Ceres High withstood a gritty, second-half comeback by the Wolves.

Livingston trailed 22-20 at the end of the third quarter. Naylor's 1-yard TD run gave the Bulldogs a 16-point lead. The Wolves answered with two quick scores.

Ceres High finished strong.

Rice hauled in a 35-yard touchdown pass from Hurst in the final period.

Naylor's third TD, a 4-yard run, put the game out of reach.

"Nobody thought we'd win," Durossette said. "We had one of our best weeks of practice. We played the game like it was our Super Bowl. It was a really great effort by our kids."

"We showed a lot of heart," Naylor said. "It (losing) was in the back of my mind. I wasn't going to let it happen. Everybody did their job. Our pre game was different this week. Everybody was more focused on the bus ride. Everything before the game was positive. Our energy was really high. We just executed."

Ceres High will face heavily-favored Patterson (5-2, 2-1) on Oct. 28 at Patterson Community Stadium.

The Tigers edged the Wolves 24-13 earlier this season.

"On paper, Patterson might be better than us," Durossette said. "Our kids believe we're going to be successful."

Added Naylor: "We're confident. I think we'll give them a run for their money. Once we're clicking, it's hard to stop us."