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Bulldogs unbeaten in league
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The Ceres High Bulldogs have a stingy defense.

They forced three turnovers and allowed just 176 yards of total offense en route to a 12-6 victory over Johansen in Ceres Friday night.

Dingko Luangchai sealed the win for Ceres when he intercepted Casey Koester's pass at the Johansen 46 with 1:28 left in regulation.

"This was payback," said Ceres safety Brian Borges, who had seven tackles and one interception in the game. "They beat us on our field last year. They took the CCC (championship) from us."

Ceres improved to 3-0 in the Modesto Metro Conference, 5-3 overall. Johansen fell to 0-3 in the MMC, 2-6 overall.

The first-place Bulldogs have a one-game lead over Downey, Davis and Modesto High in the league standings.

"This is a big win for us," Borges said. "We want to go 5-0. We want to be the first team to take the MMC."

The Bulldogs might accomplish that feat if they continue to execute on offense, defense and special teams.

Ceres' league opponents are averaging just 6.7 points and 182.3 yards per game.

Luis Malagon registered eight tackles against Johansen. Zack Wiedenbeck, Nick Eudy, Taleni Uti and Ryan Leazer each had five tackles.

"Coach (Brett) Johnson is the heart of our defense," Borges said. "He watches so much film and gets us prepared."

Ceres outscored Johansen 5-0 in the second half.

Wiedenbeck sacked Johansen's quarterback in the end zone for a safety in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Brandon Gresham booted a 32-yard field goal with 1:38 remaining. His clutch kick capped a nine-play, 55-yard drive, which lasted 4 minutes, 17 seconds.

Johansen threatened to score at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

The Vikings moved the ball to the Ceres 24 on six plays. Their seventh play resulted in an interception.

Borges picked off Koester's pass at the Ceres 9 and returned it to the Ceres 34. The pass was intended for Jamie January, who's ranked second in the Stanislaus District in receiving.

"I saw him do the inside route and waited for the quarterback to throw it," Borges said.

The Bulldogs led 7-6 at halftime.

The Vikings built a 6-0 lead in the first quarter as January hauled in a 20-yard pass from Koester in the left corner of the end zone.

Ceres responded with a score on its subsequent possession.

Derrick Goblirsch and Cruz Flores hooked up on a 20-yard pass play and Gresham made the point-after kick to give Ceres a 1-point lead at the beginning of the second quarter.

Ceres had an opportunity to extend its lead after recovering a muffed punt at the Johansen 30 with three seconds remaining in the first half. Gresham's 33-yard, field-goal attempt was blocked.

The Bulldogs had 286 yards of total offense in the game.

Goblirsch completed 20 of 42 passes for 205 yards with one touchdown and an interception.

Ray Robles rushed for 73 yards on 16 carries.

Flores hauled in eight passes for 88 yards and a score. Rafael Valencia caught seven passes for 83 yards.

The Bulldogs will play against the Davis Spartans at Downey High School on Friday at 7:30 p.m. - By DALE BUTLER / Reporter of the Ceres (Calif.) Courier