Ceres High’s and Central Valley’s football teams will open the 2025 season this Friday.

The Bulldogs will play host to the Hughson Huskies on Senior Night.

The Hawks will battle the Pitman Pride on the road at Turlock High.

Both games will get underway at 7 p.m.

“You always want to test yourself early and see what you’re made of,” said Ceres High head coach Brett Johnson.

“I’m very excited to get the season underway and see how our kids handle a new challenge,” Central Valley leader Derrick Goblirsch said. “This is an opportunity to showcase where we’re at.”

The Bulldogs will face a tall task versus the Huskies, who won their third straight section title this past fall.

Ceres High has compiled an 0-2 record against Hughson since 2023.

The Huskies pulled away for a 35-7 win over the Bulldogs during last year’s meeting.

“They’ve had a lot of success,” Johnson said. “They got a good program.”

The Hawks will look to improve their head-to-record versus the Pride to 3-2 since 2021.

Central Valley rolled to a 27-0 victory over Pitman last year.

“It’s been a back-and-forth battle over the years,” noted Goblirsch. “That’s what you look for, especially for your first game. Our styles match up well.”

Ceres High and Central Valley will compete with new-look rosters this fall.

The Bulldogs graduated 10 defensive and seven offensive starters from a season ago.

The Hawks lost eight defensive and five offensive starters.

“One of our strengths is up front,” said Goblirsch. “We return three starters on the offensive line (Alvarado, Delgadillo and Montez). We want to lean on them pretty heavily.”

“We have the ability to do great things and surprise a lot of people,” Johnson stated.

Ceres High’s top returners are Alex Alvarez (Sr., RB/LB), Joseluis Arreola (Sr., RB/DL), Parker Borges (Sr., QB), Adrian Carrillo (Sr./WR/DB), Eric De Lozada (Sr., WR/DB), Elijah Herrera (Sr., OL/DL), Adrian Huesca (Sr., RB/LB), David Rodriguez (Sr., WR/DB/K), Nathaniel St. Macias (Sr., DB/RB/WR) and Angelo Estrada (Jr., OL/DL).

The Bulldogs’ top newcomers are Julian Barrera (Jr., WR/DB), Caelen Eskridge (Jr., TE/LB), Malachi German (Jr., TE/LB), Isaiah German (Jr., OL/DL) and Malachi Johnson (So., OL/DL).

“The kids are hungry,” Johnson said.

Central Valley’s top newcomers are David Alvarado (Sr., OL/DL), Jacob Casias (Sr., DB), Dominick Delgadillo (Sr., OL/DL), Caden Mendonca (Sr., WR), Erick Mendoza (Sr. RB/DB), William Montez (Sr., OL/DL), Matthew Ontiveroz (Sr., QB/RB/WR/LB) and Dominic Delatorre (Jr., QB).

The Hawks’ top newcomers are Elizjha Casteel (Jr., RB/LB), Damian Jackson (Jr., RB/LB), Adrian Vega (Jr., OL/DL), Terrance Wethington (Jr., WR/DB) and Roberto Gomez (So., QB).

“We’re very talented this year,” Goblirsch said. “But a lot of our guys are young. If we can stay healthy, I think we can be pretty darn good.”

Ceres High’s coaching staff features Johnson (head coach/defensive coordinator/linebackers), Debin Cowell (offensive coordinator), Dalton Durossette (quarterbacks), Conner Johnson (wide receivers/long snapper), Tim Giannosa (running backs), Cameron Moscozo (offensive line), Justin Unruh (defensive line) and Paul Smith (defensive backs/special teams).

Goblirsch, Chris Lubinsky (offensive coordinator), Brian Borges (defensive coordinator), Ramon Coral (offensive line), Olivia Campos (defensive line), Jason Casias (wide receivers), Anthony Harrison (linebackers), Matt Steenburgh (defensive backs) and Edgar Garcia (kicking) make up Central Valley’s coaching staff.

Ceres High will look to continue its recent tradition of excellence under Johnson’s guidance.

The 2024 Bulldogs compiled a 7-3 overall record and finished in second place in the Western Athletic Conference with a 5-2 mark.

Ceres High capped off last season with a 36-7 win over Central Valley.

Surprisingly, the Bulldogs were not awarded a Sac-Joaquin Section playoff berth despite winning seven games and having the second-best team in the WAC.

Del Campo (5-5, 1-5 Foothill Valley League) and Fairfield (5-5, 4-1 Greater Sacramento League) received the Division-IV postseason bracket’s 11th and final playoff bids. The Cougars and Falcons took sixth and third, respectively, in their conferences.

“We were playing our best football at the end of the season,” Johnson said. “We did what we thought we had to do to make playoffs. We earned it.”

“It’s disappointing the section didn’t divulge the exact reason we didn’t get into playoffs,” he added.

Central Valley will look to bounce back in 2025. 

The Hawks struggled to a 1-9 overall record and last-place finish in the WAC standings (0-7).

Central Valley made its last playoff appearance in 2016.

“We’re going to have a lot of young guys contributing this year,” Goblirsch said. “We should be competitive. The guys are hungry.”