The Ceres Seahawks Youth Football & Cheer Organization will face new competition during its 13th year of existence.
“We plan on making a statement the first week,” said Willie Solorio, seventh-year president.
Approximately 100 football players and 55 cheerleaders, ages 6-14, signed up for the 2019 season.
“We do what’s best for the kids,” Solorio said while talking about the Seahawks’ ingredients to success. “We keep the same coaches year after year. We’re competitive. We’ve won four Super Bowls and six Division titles, not to mention three National titles and one Regional title. That’s huge.”
Ceres has continued to build on its tradition of excellence despite experiencing a significant decline in enrollment annually.
Youth football participation levels have dropped due to concussion fears according to Solorio.
“That makes parents leery about letting their kids play tackle football,” he said. “We have a duty to make sure our coaches teach our kids how to tackle properly. That prevents concussions.”
Ceres’ head coaches for football are Jonovan Solorio (varsity), Jr. Schaefer (junior varsity), Jose Ortiz (novice) and Marcus Camargo (junior novice).
Nikki Solorio (varsity/junior varsity), Vanessa Hair (novice) and Monica Lopez (junior novice/mascots) will lead the cheer squads.
Formerly of the Central Valley Gridiron Youth Football & Cheer League, Ceres will compete in the Trans Valley Youth Football League (TVYFL) in 2019.
The Seahawks were members of the CenCal Jr. Football League during their first 11 years of existence.
Ceres will play 10 games during the regular season.
The Seahawks will face the Central Saints (8/17), Patterson Ravens (8/24), Merced Blue Devils (8/31), Modesto Rams (9/7), Hilmar Packers (9/14), Mariposa Bears (9/21), Ripon Knights (9/28), Tri-City Bulldogs (10/5), Modesto Kingsmen (10/12) and Turlock Hornets (10/19).
“There are competitive teams in the TVYFL,” Willie Solorio said. “It’s going to be fun. We should fare very well.”
Willie Solorio plans to serve as president of the Seahawks for several more years.
He was named Javier Fregoso’s successor in 2013.
“I’m here for the kids, solely,” he said. “It takes a lot of time. It’s a 12-month-out-of-the-year job. The biggest part I enjoy the most is having a football family.”
