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Cereans help Central Catholic
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The Central Catholic football team did the expected in Modesto on Saturday.

Led by Ceres' Austin Sanford, Blake Trinkler, Jarod Lomeli, James Patterson and Jacob Orth, the Raiders beat Brookside Christian, 77-12, in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V semifinal playoff game.

Sanford passed for 185 yards and four touchdowns, including three to Trinkler.

"We were focused," Sanford said.

With the win, Central (12-0) extended its unbeaten streak to 48 games.

"We don't think about the streak, honestly," Sanford said. "That's something we'll think about years from now."

Central also advanced to the section finals. The Raiders will play host to Le Grand, a team it defeated 34-7 in the regular season, on Friday night at 7:30.

Asked if he felt any added pressure, Sanford said: "No. We've been here before."

Central, which has claimed three straight section championships, isn't underestimating Le Grand, which trailed 14-7 heading into the fourth quarter during the first meeting.

"They're a tough team," Sanford said. "They're very strong and physical. They'll come out ready."

Central racked up 453 yards of total offense against the Knights, the Sacramento Valley Christian League champion. Lomeli, Patterson, Nick Foster, Giano Pecchenino and Grant Hogan provided the blocking.

The Raiders rushed for 268 yards on 40 carries.

Daniel Stall ran for 132 yards on 16 carries and scored one touchdown. Louis Bland ran for 66 yards on seven carries and scored a touchdown. Dustin Bridgewater ran for 23 yards on four carries and scored two touchdowns.

Sanford completed 13 of 17 passes.

Trinkler caught three passes for 91 yards.

Central led 35-12 at intermission.

Bridgewater scored on a 1-yard dive, Stall scored on an 8-yard run around the right end and Trinkler caught a 7-yard pass from Sanford on third down in the second quarter.

The Raiders led 14-6 at the end of the first quarter.

Sanford threw a 10-yard TD pass to T.J. Schiltz in the right corner of the end zone and Gio Podesto converted the point-after kick for a 7-0 lead.

Brookside's Levelle Shoals hauled in a 51-yard pass from David Lampkins to cut Central's lead to 7-6.

The Raiders took an eight-point lead on Bridgewater's 17-yard run and Podesto's PAT.

The Raiders outscored the Knights 42-0 in the second half.

They scored 35 points in the third quarter.

Sanford scored on a 12-yard run and threw TD passes of 65 and 17 yards to Trinkler.

Bland scored on a 29-yard run.

Stall intercepted a pass and returned it 60 yards for a score.

Ryan Victorino accounted for Central's final score, a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Central's defense allowed 273 yards of total offense, registered six sacks and intercepted six passes. The Raiders allowed minus-18 yards rushing.

Trinkler had four tackles and one sack. Patterson had three tackles. Lomeli and Orth each had two tackles. - By DALE BUTLER / Staff Reporter of The Ceres (Calif.) Courier