Central Valley's and Ceres High's football teams had identical 3-0 records before meeting at the Modesto Junior College Passing Tournament.
The Hawks emerged with an 18-6 victory and earned the right to play for the championship.
Central Valley placed first in Group B and second overall at the 12-team event, staged from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Saturday, July 9.
The Hawks lost 22-6 to undefeated Turlock in the finals.
"I'm still pretty proud of how we did," Central Valley senior receiver/defensive back Greg Tripp said. "We got this far. This was a good experience for us."
Led by junior quarterback Abraham Navarro, the Hawks averaged 21.6 points through their first five games.
Navarro and Central Valley struggled against Turlock.
Abraham completed 4 of 11 passes with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Navarro's TD pass to Anthony Centeno cut the deficit to 8-6.
Turlock responded with 14 straight points off a pair of Hawk turnovers.
"They deserved to win," Central Valley head coach Tim Garcia said.
Added Navarro: "Their intensity went up and ours stayed the same. They wanted it more."
The Hawks advanced to the title game after edging out their crosstown rival.
Navarro finished 12-for-16 and delivered TD strikes to Centeno, Cody Melton and Ja'Quan Gardner.
Ceres High quarterback Blake Hurst completed 6 of 13 passes and threw a game-tying TD pass to Caden Johnson.
Central Valley reeled off 12 unanswered points to dash the Bulldogs' comeback bid.
The Hawks also beat Orestimba, Patterson, Bret Harte and Ripon Christian at Modesto JC.
Ceres High compiled a 3-2 record.
The Bulldogs lost their final game to Patterson.
Ceres High beat Ripon Christian, Buhach Colony and Orestimba.
"The kids had a good time," Bulldogs coach Bret Durossette said. "The objective was to learn what they're going to be doing throughout the season."
When asked to assess his team's performance versus Central Valley, Durossette said: "It was like playing a pickup game in the street. I don't think the kids really cared we lost. We don't play them (for real) until Nov. 4."
The Hawks emerged with an 18-6 victory and earned the right to play for the championship.
Central Valley placed first in Group B and second overall at the 12-team event, staged from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Saturday, July 9.
The Hawks lost 22-6 to undefeated Turlock in the finals.
"I'm still pretty proud of how we did," Central Valley senior receiver/defensive back Greg Tripp said. "We got this far. This was a good experience for us."
Led by junior quarterback Abraham Navarro, the Hawks averaged 21.6 points through their first five games.
Navarro and Central Valley struggled against Turlock.
Abraham completed 4 of 11 passes with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Navarro's TD pass to Anthony Centeno cut the deficit to 8-6.
Turlock responded with 14 straight points off a pair of Hawk turnovers.
"They deserved to win," Central Valley head coach Tim Garcia said.
Added Navarro: "Their intensity went up and ours stayed the same. They wanted it more."
The Hawks advanced to the title game after edging out their crosstown rival.
Navarro finished 12-for-16 and delivered TD strikes to Centeno, Cody Melton and Ja'Quan Gardner.
Ceres High quarterback Blake Hurst completed 6 of 13 passes and threw a game-tying TD pass to Caden Johnson.
Central Valley reeled off 12 unanswered points to dash the Bulldogs' comeback bid.
The Hawks also beat Orestimba, Patterson, Bret Harte and Ripon Christian at Modesto JC.
Ceres High compiled a 3-2 record.
The Bulldogs lost their final game to Patterson.
Ceres High beat Ripon Christian, Buhach Colony and Orestimba.
"The kids had a good time," Bulldogs coach Bret Durossette said. "The objective was to learn what they're going to be doing throughout the season."
When asked to assess his team's performance versus Central Valley, Durossette said: "It was like playing a pickup game in the street. I don't think the kids really cared we lost. We don't play them (for real) until Nov. 4."
