Central Valley High School varsity boys soccer coach Omar Leon back peddled as fast as he could.
Surrounded by Hawk players, Leon couldn't escape a cooler full of ice water. In the blink of an eye, he was soaked.
"They're faster than me," Omar said. "You can't get away from them."
Central Valley finished the regular season undefeated after holding on for a 2-1 win over crosstown rival Ceres High last Wednesday.
The Hawks (14-0-2, 8-0-2) clinched the Western Athletic Conference championship earlier in the week. Central Valley won Valley Oak League titles in 2009 and 2008.
"We showed our dominance throughout the league," Hawks senior midfielder Larry Hernandez said. "Not a lot of teams can do that. We're making history at our school. We feel pretty proud."
Central Valley shut out Ceres High 2-0 in the opening half.
Hernandez collected a pass from Jose Ramirez, dribbled past several Bulldog defenders and fired an 18-yard shot into the lower-right corner of the goal less than four minutes into the game.
Daniel Ochoa added an unassisted goal, his 22nd of the season, in the 33rd minute. The junior striker scored from 15 yards away with his left foot.
"It was very impressive how they opened up the field," Ceres High coach Koeurn Phe said. "I haven't seen them play that well all year."
Ahead comfortably, coach Leon made multiple substitutions.
The Hawks were forced to put several starters back into the game midway through the second half following Bulldog co-captain Edgar Campos' jaw-dropping goal.
Campos rocketed a 30-yard shot into the left side of the net.
Central Valley goalkeeper Andres Cazarez tried to make a diving stop.
"It's always a challenge playing Ceres," Leon said. "Regardless of your place, players are going to go 100 percent."
Ceres High posted a 7-7-3 overall record and finished third in the WAC standings (6-3-1) during the regular season. The Bulldogs qualified for the playoffs but have to embark on a longer road trip next week when they travel to Folsom to face Sierra Valley Conference champion Vista del Lago (13-1-2, 10-0-2) in the first round.
Ceres High would have earned the right to play Sierra (14-3-2, 10-1-2), the VOL's top seed, with a win over Central Valley.
"More pressure was on them," Larry said. "They needed to win so they could get second place. We just wanted to have fun."
After the game, Hernandez and his teammates lined up near midfield, held hands and raised their arms in unison. They received a loud ovation from their home fans.
"It never gets old," Leon said. "The kids deserve it. They've made so many sacrifices."
Central Valley will play host to the winner of the out-bracket game (Oakdale or Union Mine) in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 3 p.m.
The Hawks lost 2-0 to the Bulldogs in the finals a season ago.
"It would be nice for all the seniors to win it (a section title) because we were so close last year," Hernandez said. "Everybody wants it."
Surrounded by Hawk players, Leon couldn't escape a cooler full of ice water. In the blink of an eye, he was soaked.
"They're faster than me," Omar said. "You can't get away from them."
Central Valley finished the regular season undefeated after holding on for a 2-1 win over crosstown rival Ceres High last Wednesday.
The Hawks (14-0-2, 8-0-2) clinched the Western Athletic Conference championship earlier in the week. Central Valley won Valley Oak League titles in 2009 and 2008.
"We showed our dominance throughout the league," Hawks senior midfielder Larry Hernandez said. "Not a lot of teams can do that. We're making history at our school. We feel pretty proud."
Central Valley shut out Ceres High 2-0 in the opening half.
Hernandez collected a pass from Jose Ramirez, dribbled past several Bulldog defenders and fired an 18-yard shot into the lower-right corner of the goal less than four minutes into the game.
Daniel Ochoa added an unassisted goal, his 22nd of the season, in the 33rd minute. The junior striker scored from 15 yards away with his left foot.
"It was very impressive how they opened up the field," Ceres High coach Koeurn Phe said. "I haven't seen them play that well all year."
Ahead comfortably, coach Leon made multiple substitutions.
The Hawks were forced to put several starters back into the game midway through the second half following Bulldog co-captain Edgar Campos' jaw-dropping goal.
Campos rocketed a 30-yard shot into the left side of the net.
Central Valley goalkeeper Andres Cazarez tried to make a diving stop.
"It's always a challenge playing Ceres," Leon said. "Regardless of your place, players are going to go 100 percent."
Ceres High posted a 7-7-3 overall record and finished third in the WAC standings (6-3-1) during the regular season. The Bulldogs qualified for the playoffs but have to embark on a longer road trip next week when they travel to Folsom to face Sierra Valley Conference champion Vista del Lago (13-1-2, 10-0-2) in the first round.
Ceres High would have earned the right to play Sierra (14-3-2, 10-1-2), the VOL's top seed, with a win over Central Valley.
"More pressure was on them," Larry said. "They needed to win so they could get second place. We just wanted to have fun."
After the game, Hernandez and his teammates lined up near midfield, held hands and raised their arms in unison. They received a loud ovation from their home fans.
"It never gets old," Leon said. "The kids deserve it. They've made so many sacrifices."
Central Valley will play host to the winner of the out-bracket game (Oakdale or Union Mine) in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 3 p.m.
The Hawks lost 2-0 to the Bulldogs in the finals a season ago.
"It would be nice for all the seniors to win it (a section title) because we were so close last year," Hernandez said. "Everybody wants it."
