Central Valley’s junior-varsity football team turned in a dominant performance against crosstown-rival Ceres High during the final week of the season.
The Hawks bested the Bulldogs 28-0 in Western Athletic Conference play on Oct. 30 at CUSD Stadium.
“It was good to finish the season on a positive note,” Central Valley head coach Javier Fregoso said. “It’s bragging rights for the year.”
The Hawks posted a 7-2-1 overall record and finished second overall in the Western Athletic Conference with a 5-2-0 mark.
The Bulldogs went 5-5 and placed fifth in the WAC standings (3-4).
“We had a great season,” Fregoso said.
The core of Central Valley’s JV team won all 10 of their games and claimed the WAC title at the freshman level last fall.
“It’s a special group,” Fregoso said.
“We had a good group of leaders that kept us on the right track,” Ceres High head coach Junior Schaefer said. “The kids were coachable. They played hard. They were resilient. We dealt with a lot of injuries. We had six, two-way starters go down throughout the year. Almost every week, we lost one. It allowed other kids to step up.”
Hawk quarterback Julian Perez totaled two passing touchdowns against the Bulldogs.
Pedro Santabanez had two receiving touchdowns.
Edgar Rivera scored two rushing touchdowns.
The Bulldogs could have used Kobe Stallworth’s help on offense last week. The 6-foot-3 freshman receiver and his family moved to Los Angeles. He missed Ceres High’s final two games.
“If we got in trouble, we could throw the ball up and he’d usually come down with it,” Schaefer said. “He’d bail us out.”
Central Valley led 15-0 at intermission.
The Hawks outscored the Bulldogs 13-0 during the second half.
Central Valley notched its fourth shutout win of the season.
“They overwhelmed us with their defense,” Schaefer said. “We couldn’t move the ball at all on offense.”
Fregoso praised his coaching staff following the conclusion of the game, including defensive coordinator Anthony Harrison and offensive coordinator Junior Johnson.
“Our defense has been the cornerstone of our team,” he said. “Coach Harrison had the guys locked in. Coach Johnson ignited our run game all season long with his outstanding play-calling.”
Longtime friends Fregoso and Schaefer coached against each other for the second year in a row.
Fregoso and the Hawks defeated Schaefer and the Bulldogs 34-0 at the frosh level in 2024. Fregoso and Schaefer served as head and line coaches, respectively.
They’ve coached football together at the youth level for 20-plus years, starting with the Ceres Falcons.
“It’s always fun to coach against Schaefer,” Fregoso said. “It’s extra special. We’re still friends. We wish each other the best with our teams.”
“I have a lot of respect for Central Valley’s coaches,” Schaefer stated. “They’re respectful to us. Javy is one of my best friends. We’re actually coaching the Ceres Seahawks together in Las Vegas Thanksgiving week.”
