Central Valley High School's varsity football team paid the ultimate price for overlooking crosstown-rival Ceres High.

The Bulldogs snapped a seven-year losing streak versus the Hawks with a 24-7 victory on Nov. 7.

Ceres High (3-7, 2-4 Western Athletic Conference) earned more than bragging rights as it ended Central Valley's season.

The Bulldogs prevented the Hawks (5-5, 2-4) from earning their second consecutive playoff berth.

"We underestimated them," Hawks all-purpose standout Moses Ghiorso said. "We messed up. They took everything away from us-the streak, trophy and playoffs. We shouldn't have ended our season like that. It's a big wake-up call for us."

Central Valley totaled just 172 yards and committed a season-high seven turnovers on offense against Ceres High.

Ghiorso ran for 44 yards on eight carries. Moses also hauled in a 13-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Alex Centeno.

Centeno completed 2 of 8 passes for 34 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Junior Jamarea Lumpkin rushed for a team-high 63 yards on four carries.

The Bulldogs piled up 354 yards of total offense.

Senior Brad Bussard completed 12 of 22 passes for 186 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions while making his final start at quarterback for Ceres High.

"His throws were on point and his receivers stepped up," Ghiorso said.

Senior Juan Anderson had a 57-yard touchdown reception. He also booted a 20-yard field goal and converted all three of his point-after kicks.

Sophomore Marcellus Boykins caught four passes for 35 yards and one TD.

Junior Austin Stiles totaled 89 yards on six catches.

Junior Johnn Smith-Willis rumbled for 129 yards and one touchdown on 31 carries.

Ceres High led 14-7 at intermission.

The Bulldogs outscored the Hawks 10-0 in the second half.

"We had big hopes," Ghiorso said. "Everyone was shocked we lost the game. We didn't win because we didn't play as a team. It was bad. We looked like the same team from the scrimmage. Our offense wasn't rolling. I give Ceres High a lot of credit."

Ghiorso had to make his way through a sea of red-and-white clad Bulldog supporters following the conclusion of the rivalry game.

"It felt liked someone punched me in the stomach and took the air out of me," he said.

The Ceres Classic trophy was a fixture on Central Valley's campus for the past seven years.

The perpetual award has since been placed inside Ceres High's front office.

"Everyone is heartbroken and disappointed," Ghiorso said. "I still think about that game. It's going to stay with me until we play them next year."

Ghiorso, Lumpkin and the Hawks will have to wait until next year to seek revenge against the Bulldogs.

Gabriel Quezada, Wilbert Soriano and Chase Winchester, standouts on the JV Hawks' 5-4-1 squad this season, will be key additions at the varsity level in 2015.

Quezada scored three times, Soriano tossed one touchdown pass and returned an interception for a score and Winchester ran back a punt for a TD during Central Valley's 39-26 win over Ceres High.

"We'll do better next year," Ghiorso said. "We're going to have a lot of talent. They're going to have talent, too. We just have to work harder and play together as a team. We want to bring the trophy back to Central Valley."