Ceres High’s frosh-soph football team earned crosstown bragging rights with a 17-0 season-opening victory over Central Valley Thursday evening at Bulldog Stadium.
"We played a well-coached team. We were very fortunate to win.”Bulldogs’ head coach Darrell Long
“I didn’t expect to win by shutout,” Bulldogs’ head coach Darrell Long said. “I thought Central Valley was competitive. We played a well-coached team. We were very fortunate to win.”
Ceres High quarterback Roberto Tiscareno completed 8 of 10 passes for 80 yards with one touchdown.
He had an 8-yard rushing TD.
Tiscareno also made a 27-yard field goal and two point-after kicks.
Bulldog running back Eli Beltran gained a team-high 52 yards on 15 carries.
Beltran suffered a season-ending ankle injury with just over two minutes remaining in the game.
“It’s painful as a coach to have to see a player go through that,” Long said. “I feel for him and his parents.”
Ceres High’s Izzy Ramirez ran for 50 yards on eight carries.
Bulldog Bryan Piatt had a 25-yard TD reception.
“Offensively, our execution was better than I thought it would be,” Long said. “Defensively, we were able to keep them in check.”
The Bulldogs led 14-0 at the break.
Ceres High’s opening drive chewed up eight-plus minutes off the clock and resulted in a touchdown. Tiscareno scored on an 8-yard run and converted the PAT at the 1:36 mark of the first quarter.
“We called the right plays,” Long said.
Roberto and Bryan accounted for the Bulldogs’ second TD. Tiscareno tossed a 25-yard TD pass to Piatt and added the PAT.
Roberto’s 27-yard field put the Bulldogs ahead 17-0 with 4:40 left in the game.
The Hawks challenged the Bulldogs in the second half.
“Whenever you play a crosstown rival, the kids put more effort into the game,” Long said.
Ceres High Improved to 1-0 on the year.
Central Valley dropped to 0-1 overall.
The Bulldogs had a combined record of 0-20 under Long’s guidance the past two years.
Ceres High also lost twice to Central Valley.
“We’re 100 percent better,” Long said. “I like the enthusiasm of this group. Almost every player at every position has some football experience.”
