Bret Durossette has coached Ceres High's varsity football team for 12 years.

A former standout quarterback with the Bulldogs, Durossette praised two-year passer Chris Lubinsky.

Lubinsky wrapped up his prep-gridiron career in November.

"He threw for over 5,000 yards in two seasons," Durossette said. "That's pretty incredible."

Chris threw for 2,918 yards with 28 touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing 65 percent of his pass attempts for Ceres High this year. He had a QB rating of 105.7.

The much-improved Bulldogs went 4-6 and finished fourth in the Western Athletic Conference (2-3).

Ceres High fell two wins shy of returning to the playoffs.

The Bulldogs last participated in the postseason in 2004.

"I was really lucky to be a part of the program," Chris said. "There are a lot of things we can look back on and be proud of."

Lubinsky completed 413 of 682 passes for 5,595 yards with 54 touchdowns and just 16 interceptions in 20 career games.

Chris had a 7-13 record as Ceres High's starting quarterback.

"I don't think there was any added pressure because of the program's history," Chris said. "I just tried to go out there, have fun and help my team win games. I loved being in control of the offense. I wish I could have done more."

Lubinsky's main targets in 2016 were first-team all-conference selections Marcellus Boykins and Conner Johnson.

Boykins and Johnson combined for 137 receptions, 1,957 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Austin Stiles caught 64 passes for 1,015 yards and 14 TDs in 2015.

"I had great receivers," Lubinsky said. "They made me look good."

The 2016 Bulldogs had their WAC title and Sac-Joaquin Section playoff hopes dashed during the second-to-last week of the regular season.

Ceres High needed to beat Pacheco to remain in the hunt.

The Panthers edged the Bulldogs by the slimmest of margins, 42-41, in Los Banos.

Ceres High lost despite generating 506 yards and six touchdowns on offense.

Lubinsky passed for a career-high 466 yards, believed to be a program record, and three TDs.
He connected with Boykins on a 10-yard scoring play to cut the deficit to one with 10 seconds to play. Chris' potential, game-winning 2-point conversion pass to Andrew Gibson fell short in the end zone.

"That was such a fun game to be a part of even though we lost," he said.

Lubinksy was selected to the WAC First Team during his final season with the Bulldogs.

He led the conference in touchdowns (15), yards (1,400), yards per game (280), completions (114), attempts (172) and QB rating (108.2).

Chris was an honorable-mention WAC pick as a junior.

"When I found out I didn't make first or second team last year, it motivated me to work harder," Lubinsky said. "I knew I had to play well for us to be successful. I was fortunate to have a lot of talent around me. We worked well together."

Chris joined elite company as one of Ceres High's all-time greatest quarterbacks.

Derrick Goblirsch (class of 2005) led the Bulldogs to the Modesto Metro Conference title his senior year and back-to-back Sac-Joaquin Section playoff berths. Goblirsch ranked second in the Stanislaus District and first in the MMC in passing in 2004. He guided Ceres to its first league championship in 18 years. The Bulldogs also hosted a first-round playoff game for the first time since 1994.

Donnie Donaldson (class of 1989) propelled Ceres High to an appearance in the Division-II section championship game in 1988. Donaldson threw for 254 yards and scored once on the ground as the Bulldogs suffered a heart-breaking 14-12 loss to Los Banos.

Rex Holm (class of 1969) ranked among the top 10 quarterbacks in Northern California while guiding Ceres High to a perfect 10-0 record and the Mountain Valley League crown (4-0) in 1968. He passed for 21 touchdowns, helping the Bulldogs end a 17-year championship drought.

Brad Bussard (class of 2015) totaled 4,394 yards, 73 touchdowns and 27 interceptions in 20 games.

Ceres High compiled a 9-4 record, captured the Golden Valley League title (5-1) and lost 44-3 to El Camino in the Division-II section finals with Durossette directing the offense in 1985.

"Chris was a phenomenal quarterback," Durossette said. "Everything we asked him to do, he did. He exceeded all expectations. He was a fun kid to coach. I was very impressed with how he was able to battle."

"I don't regret anything," Lubinsky added. "We did a lot of good things. It's one of the better overall records we've had in a while."

Durossette believes Lubinsky can have success competing at the next level.

"The kid can throw a football," he said.

"Playing college football has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid," Chris said. "A lot of Division-II and NAIA schools start recruiting after their seasons end. I'm hoping someone takes a chance on me."