Ceres High’s varsity football team struggled mightily against Lodi.

The Bulldogs had just 14 yards of total offense in their 51-0 loss to the Flames on Aug. 30 at the Grape Bowl.

“It’s not fun when you see the scoreboard and you’re down 50-plus points,” Ceres High third-year lineman Elias Saldana said. “The only way to not have a game like this again is to put in more effort. We need to work harder at practice.”

The Bulldogs dropped to 0-2 on the year.

“You can’t change your record,” Saldana said. “You learn from what you did wrong. I still see a lot of potential in the team. I’m expecting wins this season.”

Ceres High sophomore quarterback Bryce Piatt finished 8-for-17 with 19 yards and one interception against Lodi (2-0).

Sophomore Verlis Smith caught two passes for 12 yards.

The Bulldogs had minus-5 yards rushing on 19 carries.

“Our team was doing well in the first quarter,” Saldana said. “Everyone was doing their job. The level of energy and fun slowly faded away.”

Saldana and Smith were both presented the Turnover Chain for their play on defense during the course of the game.

“Every time someone picks up a fumble recovery, they get to hold it,” Saldana said. “Coach (Luis) Magana started doing it last year with the JV team. It’s a side thing that pumps you up.”

Ceres High has been outscored 106-13 this year.

The Bulldogs opened the 2019 season with a 42-point loss to the crosstown-rival Central Valley Hawks.

 “You can’t worry about the past,” Saldana said. “We just need to evolve from the past two games.”

 Ceres High will host West (0-2) this Friday at 7 p.m.

“The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time,” Saldana said. “We got to fix things for the next game. We need to communicate better. We all have to be on the same page.”