Eric De Lozada enjoyed his best season to date with Ceres High’s football team this fall.

The 6-foot-tall 170-pound senior receiver was recognized for his outstanding play, along with Bulldog teammates Abijah Bratton, Dakota Pickett, Nathaniel St. Macias, Elijah Herrera and Jelo Estrada during the Western Athletic Conference’s year-end head coaches’ meeting last month in Los Banos.

Ceres High compiled a 2-5 record en route to a sixth-place finish in the WAC standings.

“It was exciting to see them get recognized,” Bulldogs’ leader Brett Johnson said.

De Lozada caught 49 passes for 562 yards and two touchdowns on the season.

He ranked first on the team in receptions and receiving yards, and second in receiving touchdowns.

“Eric was our go-to-guy in the air this year,” Johnson said. “He made some big plays for us. When he started relaxing and catching the ball consistently, he became a real threat.”

De Lozada was a two-year varsity player.

He totaled 109 yards and one touchdown on 12 receptions as Ceres High’s fourth-best receiver in 2024.

“He was far more physical this year. He was carrying and running people over.”

Bratton, a senior inside linebacker, was named to the WAC Second Team.

A backup linebacker and special teams player as a junior, Bratton developed into the Bulldogs’ top defensive player this season.

He collected a team-high 90 tackles.

He also had one forced fumble and one quarterback hurry.

“I expected him to do great things based on the potential I saw in him last year,” Johnson said. “He watched a ton of film and did a good job recognizing plays. He put himself in the right place a lot of times. He was always around the ball.”

Bratton totaled 14 tackles in 2024.

“He got comfortable this year. He gained confidence. He believed in himself. He led by example with his on-field play.”

Pickett, St. Macias, Herrera and Estrada were WAC honorable-mention selections.

Pickett, a senior, shined at outside linebacker despite being slowed by a calve injury.

He tallied 69 tackles, three sacks and one pass deflection.

He also blocked one field goal.

Pickett ranked first on the team in sacks and second in tackles.

“Dakota was a backup at the start of the year,” Johnson said. “I gave him a shot and he made the most of it. He’s a really tough kid.”

St. Macias, a senior co-captain, logged playing time at tailback, fullback, receiver, quarterback and safety. 

He also returned kickoffs and punts.

“He did well at all of the positions,” Johnson said. 

St. Macias had 897 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns.

He ran for 493 yards and five touchdowns on 63 carries.

He ranked first on the team in all three statistical categories.

He caught 17 passes for 218 yards.

He ranked second on the team in receptions and third in receiving yards.

St. Macias totaled 53 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and four pass deflections on defense.

He ranked second on the team in pass deflections and fourth in tackles.

“Nathaniel’s a talented kid. He’s a true athlete.”

Elijah Herrera, a senior co-captain, started at center on Ceres High’s offensive line.

He also contributed at defensive tackle.

Herrera had a productive year despite being hampered by hand, knee and ankle injuries.

“He was a fun kid to coach,” Johnson said.  “He held kids accountable. He was very consistent. He’s tougher than nails.”

Herrera anchored Ceres High’s offensive line.

The Bulldogs totaled 2,496 yards and 18 touchdowns on offense.

“Elijah shut down some defensive linemen that were all-league,” Johnson said. 

Estrada, a junior, contributed at tackle on the Bulldogs’ offensive and defensive lines.

He had 15 tackles and one pass deflection.

“There was some growth later in the season,” Johnson said. “He’s got a lot of potential.”