Ceres High School’s football team opened the 2022 campaign with a 54-21 blowout win at West of Tracy Friday evening.

Interim head coach Brett Johnson was quick to praise his players and staff following the non-conference victory.

“A lot of credit to the kids and coaches,” Johnson said. “You want to see effort, consistency and learning from mistakes. There’s still room for improvement.”

Assistant coaches Tim Giannosa and Brandon Moring shared offensive-coordinator duties versus the Wolf Pack.

The Bulldogs piled up 373 yards as linemen Thomas Lopez (center), Daniel Baker (right guard), Elias Carrera (right tackle), Jaylin Jackson (left guard) and Faiva Tuakalau (left tackle) paved the way.

“Everything they (Giannosa and Moring) called worked,” Ceres High quarterback Landyn Hudson said. “This is what we expected to do. We know what we’re capable of.”

The Bulldogs had 236 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.

Ceres High averaged 10.7 yards per carry.

Tarrell Lee-Gill rushed for 161 yards and four touchdowns on 11 carries.

He caught one pass for 15 yards.

Lee-Gill set a career-high mark for touchdowns scored in a single game.

Ernesto Miranda carried the ball six times for 40 yards and two TDs.

Josh Prestridge totaled 20 yards and one score on two carries.

“Our offensive line did a great job,” Lee-Gill said. “We scored almost every time.”

Hudson completed 6 of 14 passes for 137 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.

He gained 11 yards and scored one TD on two carries.

Ricky Stanley had 74 yards on two catches.

Lebron Stallworth caught one pass for 42 yards.

Nicholas Vieyra converted four of six point-after kicks.

“Our offensive line played amazing,” Hudson said. “I only got pressured twice. I didn’t get sacked one time. They couldn’t stop Tarrell. Our run game, we’re not going to fool you. There’s no misdirection. Physically and mentally, it does something to you.”

Donavan Osuna tallied four tackles, one interception and one pass deflection on defense.

Kahmi Smith had seven tackles and one pass deflection.

Tuakalau and Baker both collected four tackles.

Reis Smith chipped in with three pass deflections and one tackle.

The Bulldogs led 35-14 at the break. 

Ceres High scored the first 20 points of the game.

“We played with high energy all game,” Hudson said. “That’s a big reason why we were able to dominate.”

Johnson replaced third-year leader Clinton Goblirsch nine days before the start of the season.

Goblirsch led Ceres High to its first playoff appearance in 16 years last fall.

“To transition this late in the season, I’m proud of how the kids responded,” Johnson said.

“It’s something we had to put behind us quickly,” Hudson said. “We can’t dwell on a situation that isn’t in our hands.”

“We weren’t worried about having a letdown,” Lee-Gill said. “We weren’t going to let a coaching change bother us. We were focused.”

Ceres High will travel to Sutter Creek this Friday to face Amador. The non-league contest will get underway at 7:30 p.m.

The Buffaloes dropped their opener, 27-13, to the El Dorado Cougars.