Ceres High's varsity football team squandered an opportunity to improve its overall record to 4-1 and boost its playoff hopes last week.
The Bulldogs wrapped up their non-conference schedule with a disappointing 38-20 upset loss to the previously-winless Falcons Thursday night in Atwater.
"We didn't perform well," Ceres High head coach Bret Durossette said. "It's a team loss. There's not one specific reason why we lost."
The Bulldogs dropped to 3-2 on the year.
Atwater improved to 1-3.
The Falcons snapped a 13-game losing streak dating back to the 2015 season.
"Once we got behind, we couldn't find an answer for what they were doing," Durossette said. "They were better than us."
Bulldog sophomore quarterback Dalton Durossette tossed eight touchdown passes and just one interception through Ceres High's first four games.
He completed just 8 of 17 passes for 70 yards with no TDs and three picks against the Falcons.
Receivers David Nichols and Jorge Tiscareno were sidelined with injuries.
Bulldog running back Andrew Gibson totaled 151 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries.
Ceres High fullback Felipe Martinez rushed for 57 yards and one TD on 13 carries and grabbed five passes for 42 yards. He tossed a 20-yard touchdown pass to Brock DeWitt on a trick play.
"Offensively, we just weren't clicking," Brett Durossette said. "Dalton made some bad reads. We had some dropped passes. We were our own worst enemy."
The Bulldogs allowed TD runs of 77, 75 and 80 yards on their way to falling behind 24-7 midway through the opening half.
"We struggled, defensively, to contain the big plays that they had," coach Durossette said.
Ceres High won its previous two games versus Johansen and Hughson.
Atwater compiled an 0-10 record in 2016.
Ceres High finished 4-6.
The Bulldogs haven't had a winning record or qualified for the playoffs since 2004.
Ceres High will open Western Athletic Conference play at home on Oct. 6.
The Bulldogs will face the Tigers of Los Banos (4-0).
Kickoff slated for 7 p.m.
"Hopefully, we have a good showing," Bret Durossette said.
