Dalton Durossette is enjoying being a part of something bigger than himself.

Durossette and the second-seeded Central Catholic varsity football will begin their quest for playoff glory at home this Friday in Modesto.

“It’s an honor to play for one of the best programs in the area,” said Durossette, a junior quarterback who spent his sophomore and freshman years at Ceres High School. “I’m having a lot of fun.”

Durossette filled a major role as the Raiders compiled a 9-1 overall record and finished in first place in the Valley Oak League with a perfect 6-0 mark during the regular season.

Central Catholic claimed the league title outright with a 54-14 win over Oakdale at the Corral.

The reigning VOL-champion Mustangs (7-3, 4-2) won 13 conference championships the previous 16 years.

“I’m sure they were expecting to beat us,” Dalton said. “They hadn’t lost a league game at home since 2013. It came down to who wanted it more and made fewer mistakes. They’re a well-coached team. I give their players a lot of credit. They didn’t quit.” 

Durossette threw for 219 yards with three touchdowns versus Oakdale.

“Coach Canepa wanted revenge,” he said. “The team wanted revenge. I just wanted to help the team get revenge. I wasn’t nervous at all. I was excited as well as the whole team. We’ve been preparing for that game all season. I was able to have success because my offensive line, receivers and running backs had success.”

Durossette tossed three TD passes in helping the Raiders build a commanding 47-7 lead in the opening half.

“The first half shocked everybody,” he said. “We executed our plays like we were supposed to. Our offensive line was unbelievable. I got hit just one time. Our defense was great. We came out ready to play.”

Durossette has 16 touchdown passes and just two interceptions this season.

He’s completed 64.5 percent of his passes and totaled 1,165 yards.

Dalton has a QB rating of 136.5.

 “It’s not just me,” he said. “Everybody has contributed. Football is taken very serious at Central Catholic. We push ourselves to be the best we can be. It’s a grind.” 

Central Catholic will play host to No. 10 Elk Grove in the quarterfinal round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-II playoffs this Friday at 7 p.m.

If Central Catholic and top-seeded Del Oro take care of business, they could meet in the finals.

Del Oro defeated Central Catholic 23-12 in the semifinals last fall.

“That’s our team goal we’ve had since the beginning of the season,” Durossette said. “We just got to execute our plays and we should have no problem making it there.”