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Nichols will be a major contributor
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Senior David Nichols will be a valuable addition to Ceres Highs varsity football team this season. Nichols transferred back to Ceres after spending his junior year at Waterford. - photo by DALE BUTLER/Courier file photo

Senior David Nichols has been cleared by the CIF-Sac-Joaquin Section to play football for Ceres High School this fall.

The 6-foot-tall, 200-pound all-purpose standout returned to CHS after spending his junior year at Waterford.

"I'm excited to be back," Nichols said. "It's like I never left. I kept in touch with a lot of my friends when I moved."

"He's going to bring a lot to the table," Bulldogs head coach Bret Durossette said. "When he's out there, we're going to try to get him the ball as much as possible."

David attended Ceres High his sophomore and freshman years.

Nichols and Bulldogs senior running back Andrew Gibson played football together for two seasons at the lower-levels.

They competed against each other at the youth level.

"He's a great player," David said. "I wouldn't want anyone else running the ball. I trust him."

David will contribute at multiple positions in 2017, including receiver, running back, defensive back and linebacker.

"I've been taking reps everywhere," Nichols said. "Wherever they need me to play, I'm not going to complain. I'm going to do whatever coach wants me to do and give my best effort. I'm not going to let him (Durossette) down."

Added Durossette: "He's going to do a combination of a lot of things."

Nichols racked up 717 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns during his lone season with the Wildcats. He passed for 611 yards and four touchdowns with seven interceptions.

He rushed for 191 yards and three TDs on 87 carries.

He hauled in 13 passes for 406 yards and two scores.

David tallied 49 tackles, one sack, one interception and two pass deflections at defensive back.

Waterford compiled a 5-5 overall record and finished in fourth place in the Southern League (3-4).

Nichols helped lead Ceres High's junior-varsity football team to a 5-4-1 record and third-place finish in the Western Athletic Conference in 2015.

David filled the stat sheet.

He threw for 805 yards with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions.

He ran for 338 yards and six scores.

He caught three passes for 47 yards.

He also had three interceptions, returning one for a TD.
Nichols turned in a career-best performance during Ceres High's 41-20 win over crosstown-rival Central Valley.

David completed 7 of 9 passes for 221 yards with four touchdowns and no picks.

Nichols contributed at running back as a key member of Ceres High's freshman team (5-5-1, 3-2-1) in 2014.

David will be a valuable addition to a program moving forward with a revamped lineup on offense.

The Bulldog lost their starting quarterback (Chris Lubinsky) and top two pass catchers (Marcellus Boykins and Conner Johnson) to graduation.

Sophomore Dalton Durossette will replace Lubinsky, a two-year starter.

"He has a lot of potential," Nichols said. "I know he's going to reach it. He's going to do great."

David could emerge as Ceres High's go-to receiver.

"I don't feel any pressure at all," he said. "Every time the ball is thrown to me, I expect to come down with it. I think I can be very effective."

Nichols and Ceres High will kick off the 2017 campaign this Friday at Weston Ranch.

The game will get underway at 7 p.m.

"I'm very excited to finish my high-school football career where I started it," Nichols said. "I'm looking forward to have a good season. I'm trying to be a positive role model and team leader. A successful season to me is having a winning record and making the playoffs."

The Bulldogs compiled a 4-6 overall record and placed fourth in the WAC (2-3) last fall.

Ceres High has endured 12 straight losing seasons.

"It's shocking the season is already here," Nichols said. "We're going to go into the game with a lot of energy and fired up. We're going to try our hardest to get a win."