The much-anticipated battle between Central Valley’s and Ceres High’s crosstown-rival football programs will take place this week.
The 21st installment of the Ceres Classic will be staged at Bulldog Stadium on Friday at 7 p.m.
“Obviously, there’s a lot of pressure because of how big the game is,” Hawks’ senior lineman Santiago Garcia said. “We want to win. They want to win. If we play for ourselves, it will be our downfall. We got to play for each other.”
“We have confidence going into every game,” Bulldogs’ senior lineman Gelo Estrada said. “Records aside, it’s going to be a battle. The goal is to try to spoil their season and come out with a victory. We need to be locked in the whole game.”
Garcia, Jeremiah Moreno (running back/safety), Elizjha Casteel (running back/linebacker), Ivan Quezada (running back), Junior Gomez (quarterback), Julian Gonzalez (receiver/defensive back), Santiago Garcia (tackle/center), James Hartley (guard/defensive end), Victor Altamirano (defensive back), Damian Jackson (defensive end/fullback) and Kaleb Mendoza (linebacker/running back) will lead the Hawks, who enter the contest with a 7-2 overall record and currently sit in a three-way tie for first place in the WAC standings (5-1) with the Lathrop Spartans and Johansen Vikings.
Estrada, Anthony Santillan (quarterback/defensive back), Caelen Eskridge (running back/linebacker), Leo Ayala (receiver/defensive back), Malachi Johnson (offensive line/defensive line), Angel Bravo (linebacker/running back), Alex Ramirez (linebacker/running back) and Dakota Pickett (linebacker/tight end) will lead the sixth-place Bulldogs (3-6, 2-4).
Central Valley and Ceres High both rely heavily on their running games on offense.
The Hawks average 240 yards per game on the ground.
Ceres High ran for over 200 yards in five of its first nine games.
“Both teams have some of the best offensive lines in the league,” Estrada said.
Central Valley’s defense has allowed just 17.2 points per game in WAC play.
Ceres High’s conference opponents have averaged 36.2 points per game.
“Whoever can stop the run is going to win,” Santillan said.
The Hawks will look to continue their run of success against the Bulldogs.
Central Valley has an all-time record of 16-4 versus Ceres High.
The Hawks won last year’s game, 38-21.
Ceres High will try to eliminate Central Valley from the race for the WAC title and Sac-Joaquin Section playoff consideration.
The Bulldogs’ last win against the Hawks came in 2024 (36-7).
“There hasn’t been a (league) championship team here at CV since 2016,” Garcia said. “If we win, we can hang up a banner in the rafters of our gym.”
“We have an opportunity to spoil their season,” Eskridge said. “If we play to our full potential, I know we can hang with any team around here.”
“We worked hard to be in this position,” Moreno said. “It’s going to be a good game. The better team (that day) is going to come out on top.”
“It’s a must-win game for them,” Santillan said. “It would be pretty special to win. If we spoil their season, it will set a tone in the rivalry.”
Members of Central Valley’s and Ceres High’s football, cheer and dance teams participated in the Fifth Annual Crosstown Showdown Parade on 3rd Street at Whitmore Park this past Saturday.
The parade started at 10 a.m.
Fans were dressed in school colors and Halloween costumes.
Athletic directors Greg Magni (Central Valley) and Julio Madrigal (Ceres High) both addressed the large crowd.
“It’s so cool being able to see everybody come out to support us,” Garcia said. “It’s really amazing.”
“The attendance was a lot better this year,” Estrada stated. “It was pretty special seeing everybody from the community unite as one.”
“It’s an awesome experience,” Moreno said. “The whole city is there watching you.”
“The most enjoyable part is seeing the town come together for all of the athletes,” Eskridge said. “We’ve been working hard.”
