By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
CV, Ceres High football teams to battle for the 11th time
Hawks won 2015 crosstown clash, 48-14
ebarragan3.tiff
Estevan Barragan and Central Valleys 8-1 varsity football team will face 4-5 Ceres High this Friday at Bulldog Stadium. The crosstown game will begin at 7 p.m. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

Central Valley's and Ceres High's varsity football teams will face off for the 11th time this Friday at Bulldog Stadium.

The playoff-bound Hawks (8-1, 4-0) made program history last week by claiming their first-ever conference title.

The Bulldogs (4-5, 2-2) had their postseason and league title hopes dashed by Pacheco.

"It's still an important game," Central Valley senior lineman Oso Fregoso said. "We want to finish the regular season 9-1. We're trying to get a better seed for playoffs."

"We all know it's our last game," Ceres High senior quarterback Chris Lubinsky said. "We want to make it one to remember. It's definitely going to be a tough task. We understand what we're up against and how great of a team they are. We're looking forward to the challenge. It should be a fun game."

Central Valley has one of the top defenses in the Sac-Joaquin Section.

The Hawks are allowing just 10.2 points per contest.

Fregoso tallied 58 tackles, nine sacks, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery through Central Valley's first nine games.

Fellow lineman Gabriel Quezada had 42 tackles, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Strong safety Estevan Barragan had 77 tackles, six pass deflections and one fumble recovery.

Cornerback Chase Winchester had one interception and 13 pass deflections.

"Their defense is no joke," Lubinsky said. "Offensively, we're going to have to execute. We're definitely going to have to be sharp to beat them."

Approximately 401 of Central Valley's 472 offensive plays have been runs.

Tailback Jonathan Barragan totaled 902 yards and 11 touchdowns through the Hawks' first nine games.

Fullback Gerardo Solorzano gained 484 yards and scored seven TDs.

Quarterback Willie Soriano rushed for 265 yards and six touchdowns.

Hawk kicker Angel Lopez has booted field goals of 47, 46, 43, 41, 39 and 28 yards this season.

Ceres High has one of the top offenses in the Stanislaus District.

Led by Lubinsky, Marcellus Boykins, Conner Johnson and Andrew Gibson, the Bulldogs are averaging 30.6 points per contest.

Lubinsky racked up 2,730 yards with 27 touchdowns and just four interceptions through Ceres High's first nine games.

Boykins caught 74 passes for 1,118 yards and nine TDs.

Johnson hauled in 51 passes for 723 yards and seven TDs.

Gibson gained 549 yards and scored eight TDs on 111 carries.

Andrew totaled 227 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 27 receptions.

"There are a lot of guys on their roster I'd like to have on mine," Hawks head coach Scott Edwards said.

Central Valley and Ceres High have faced off 10 times since 2006.

The Hawks have won all but two of the meetings, including seven in a row from 2007-13.

Central Valley overcame a slow start and defeated Ceres High 48-14 last fall.

The 2016 crosstown contest will get underway at 7 p.m.

"We'll treat them like any other opponent," Fregoso said. "We'll just play football and execute the game plan. I expect it to be very competitive. It will be a physical game."

"Right now, we feel like the hunted," Edwards added.