Dalton Durossette's first season with Ceres High's varsity football team will be filled with ups and downs.
"With any young quarterback, it's a process," Bulldogs second-year offensive coordinator Brandon Moring said. "He has a lot of potential."
Durossette, a 6-foot-3, 213-pound sophomore, passed his first test while making his debut with the Bulldogs last week.
"He did exactly what we needed him to do," Moring said. "He was a general out there. He was calm, cool and collective. He's only going to get better."
Dalton completed 13 of 19 passes for 245 yards with two TDs and no interceptions as Ceres High held on for a 48-42 win over Weston Ranch on Friday in Stockton.
"I'm extremely happy for him," said second-year running back Andrew Gibson, who along with first-year receiver David Nichols, hauled in touchdown strikes from Durossette. "He performed like he had played varsity before. He was calm. He didn't mess up on any play calls. He even took a couple hits for the team."
Dalton used his arm and legs in helping the Bulldogs secure the victory late in the game.
Durossette completed a 16-yard pass to Nichols on 3rd-and-15 and gained 7 yards on 3rd-and-5 as Ceres High dashed Weston Ranch's bid for a comeback by running the final two-plus minutes off the clock.
"He made some huge, clutch plays when the game was on the line," Moring said. "I'm not surprised at all. He's a good leader. He's a great teammate. He understands the goal is to win games. He has a bright future ahead of him."
Durossette was promoted to varsity following a success-filled season at the junior-varsity level in 2016.
Dalton threw for 1,390 yards with 16 touchdowns and 12 picks while leading the JV Bulldogs to a 7-3 overall record.
Durossette earned first-team all-Western Athletic Conference honors as a key member of Ceres High's varsity baseball team this past spring. He batted .410 from the plate with one homer, three doubles, 22 RBIs, 34 runs and 11 stolen bases for the Bulldogs, who went 23-7, qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs and finished second in the WAC standings (12-3). Dalton posted a 7-4 record at pitcher with a 2.53 ERA, one no-hitter, three complete games, and 56 strikeouts.
Durossette and Ceres High's freshman boys basketball team (9-1) won a share of the conference title in the winter. He poured in a career-high 46 points against Livingston during the WAC season.
"He brings a sense of calmness to our team," Moring said. "He gives us the best chance to win."
Added Gibson: "Everybody I know has complete confidence in Dalton."
