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Five turnovers doom Bulldogs in 56-12 loss
CHS varsity squad drops to 2-7 overall
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Ceres High freshman quarterback Eli Niblett makes sure his receivers are set before taking a snap from Bulldog center Alex Rios. Host Ceres High lost 56-0 to undefeated Central Catholic on Thursday. Ceres High dropped to 1-8 overall and 1-4 in the WAC. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

Ceres High School's varsity football team contributed to its own demise last week.

The Bulldogs had three fumbles and two interceptions on offense during Friday night's 56-12 loss at Central Catholic.

"They're not as good as they used to be," Ceres High junior quarterback Brad Bussard said. "But they know how to win."

The Bulldogs dropped to 2-7 on the year and 1-4 in the Western Athletic Conference.

The reigning Division-IV state-champion Raiders improved to 8-1 and 5-0.

Central Catholic limited Ceres High to 237 net yards of offense.

The Bulldogs had minus-11 rushing yards on 16 carries.

Brent Bussard, Ceres High's top running back, had minus-2 yards rushing on seven attempts.

Brad Bussard passed for 248 yards with two touchdowns and three picks.

Dylan Canatsy grabbed eight passes for 89 yards and one TD.

Harman Chung totaled 57 yards and one touchdown on eight receptions.

Juan Anderson added 68 yards on three catches.

Central Catholic's Matt Ringer rumbled for a game-high 168 yards and four TDs on seven carries. He also caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Raider sophomore quarterback Hunter Petlansky.

Petlansky, a transfer from St. Mary's, also rushed for 36 yards and one score on five attempts.

Donovin Townsend gained 83 yards and scored one touchdown.

Central Catholic racked up 349 yards of total offense with no turnovers.

Timmy Gutierrez picked off two passes, forced one fumble and recovered one fumble for the Raiders.

Galhiel Dillard had one interception.

Townsend and Patrick Bryan chipped in with one fumble recovery each.

Linebacker Anthony Duarte collected a team-high seven tackles for the Bulldogs.

"Central Catholic played solid," Brad Bussard said. "They executed their game plan. We moved the ball pretty well. We turned the ball over five times. That killed us."

The Bulldogs trailed 56-6 at the break, including 28-6 heading into the second period.

Central Catholic reeled off 42 straight points after Ceres High cut the deficit to eight points on Chung's 3-yard TD catch in the first quarter.

The eighth annual Paws vs. Claws crosstown classic game, which pits Ceres High against Central Valley, will be staged this Friday at Bulldog Stadium.

Kickoff slated for 7 p.m.

The Hawks (5-4, 2-3) have won the last six meetings. It's a must-win game for Central Valley to be playoff eligible.

"We have a good shot at winning," Brad Bussard said. "The pressure is on them."

Added Central Valley head coach Jason McCloskey: "We have to beat them."