By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Bulldogs hosting first-round playoff game
Placeholder Image
The last time the Ceres High football team hosted a playoff game was in 1994.

Led by coach Drew Brown, quarterback Oscar Ruiz, receiver Chris Pombo and tailback Antone Lopez, the Bulldogs beat Folsom 27-12 in the opening of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoffs.

On Friday, Ceres, the Modesto Metro Conference's No. 1 seed, will face Franklin, the San Joaquin Athletic Association's No. 3 seed, in the first round of the Division I playoffs. The game starts at 7:30 p.m.

"Playing at home definitely gives us a lot of confidence," said Ceres running back Ray Robles.

Added Ceres safety Brian Borges: "At home, we're undefeated. We're 5-0."

The Bulldogs (6-4, 4-1) won five of their final six games. They claimed a share of the MMC title and secured a berth in the postseason with a 26-24 win over Downey in Ceres on Friday.

The Yellow Jackets (7-3, 7-2) won their final seven games, outscoring their opponents 308-41. They finished third in the SJAA behind St. Mary's High and Lincoln.

"We went up and watched them on Saturday against Edison," said Ceres defensive coordinator Brett Johnson. "They've got some good athletes."

Franklin is led by quarterback Caleb Midura, tailback/linebacker Traye'von Harrell and receiver/defensive back Kevin Brown.

Midura threw 28 touchdown passes during the regular season. Harrell rushed for 1,425 yards and 16 touchdowns. Brown had 20 touchdown receptions.

Offensively, Ceres is led by Derrick Goblirsch, Cruz Flores, Rafael Valencia and Robles.

Goblirsch passed for 1,664 yards and 12 touchdowns during the regular season.

Flores hauled in 54 passes for 605 yards and scored three touchdowns. Valencia hauled in 28 passes for 244 yards and scored three touchdowns.

In seven games, Robles ran for 537 yards and seven scores. He also caught two touchdown passes from Goblirsch.

Defensively, the Bulldogs are led by Luis Malagon, Brian Borges, Nick Eudy, Taleni Uti and Zack Wiedenbeck.

Malagon registered 98 tackles, three sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery in 10 games.

Borges made 79 tackles, intercepted six passes and recovered one fumble.

Eudy had 68 tackles and five sacks.

Uti had 65 tackles, one sack, one interception, one fumble recovery and one blocked field goal.

Wiedenbeck had 44 tackles, seven sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery.

"We don't have one superstar," Johnson said. "We just have 11 kids that go out and play as one week in and week out."

Ceres made its first playoff appearance in eight years in 2003. The Bulldogs lost in the first round to the Edison Vikings. - By DALE BUTLER / Staff Reporter of The Ceres (Calif.) Courier