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Crosstown football showdown set
CV, CHS to battle on Friday
CVCHS
Jamarea Lumpkin, Moses Ghiorso and Central Valley will battle Marcellus Boykins, Johnni Smith-Willis and Ceres High this Friday at Bulldog Stadium. The 10th meeting between the two varsity football teams will get underway at 7 p.m. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

Ceres High School's varsity football team ended seven years of frustration when it beat Central Valley for the first time since 2006 last fall.

The 24-7 victory prevented the Hawks from securing their second consecutive playoff berth.

"Losing last year to Ceres High killed everything," Central Valley all-purpose standout Moses Ghiorso said.

Fourth-place Ceres High (3-6, 2-3) and second-place Central Valley (6-3, 4-1) will meet for the 10th time this Friday at Bulldog Stadium.

The WAC crosstown-showdown affair will get underway at 7 p.m.

"It could be one of the best games ever played between the two teams," Ceres High head coach Bret Durossette said. "It could come down to who has the ball last. We have some talented kids. Hopefully, we rise to the occasion."

Quarterback Chris Lubinsky, receiver Austin Stiles and running back Johnni Smith-Willis will lead Ceres High.

Lubinsky has had a productive first season at the varsity level.

The junior passed for 2,498 yards and 25 touchdowns with just eight interceptions during the Bulldogs' first nine games.

Stiles caught 59 passes for 952 yards and 13 TDs.

Smith-Willis rushed for 630 yards and nine scores on 84 carries.

"It's not going to be easy," Central Valley all-purpose player Moses Ghiorso said. "They have talent, too. We'll just have to wait and see what happens."

Ghiorso, running back Jamarea Lumpkin and linebacker Adrian Badillo will lead Central Valley.

Ghiorso totaled 1,205 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground through the Hawks' first nine games. He's averaged 11.2 yards per carry. Moses has also hauled in 22 passes for a team-leading 371 yards and one TD.

Lumpkin gained 796 yards and scored 11 TDs on 135 carries.

Badillo registered 80 tackles, two sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.

"Their coach (Scott Edwards) has done a good job," Durossette said. "They've gotten better each week. Their running game is their strength. We're going to have to find a way to stop both of their backs."