Blake Hurst feared the worst when he was lying on the turf at Bulldog Stadium.

The Ceres High senior quarterback injured his left knee five plays into Saturday morning's scrimmage with Escalon.

"It doesn't look good," Bulldogs leader Bret Durossette said while talking with his assistant coaches minutes after Hurst was transported by his parents to Doctor's Medical Center in Modesto. "He's done."

Durossette received good news later in the day.

Hurst suffered a left knee sprain according to physicians.

"I'm just happy it didn't turn out to be serious," Blake said. "I was thinking worse-case scenario. I thought everything I worked for was lost."

Hurst was hurt when an Escalon defender rolled into his left leg. The pain was excruciating.

Blake experienced major swelling in his knee.

"I've known him since we were little kids," Bulldog lineman Lucas Silva said. "I've never heard him scream like that. That freaked me out."

Durossette and Hurst are second cousins.

They live across the street from each other.

Bret thought Blake was lost for the season.

"I got pretty emotional," Durossette said. "He's been playing catch with me for nine years. He's a tough kid. God willing, he'll be able to bounce back from this. He's one of the best quarterbacks in the area."

Senior Devon Ruger will start in place of Hurst during Friday's season-opening game versus visiting Modesto High.

Ruger completed three passes to Caden Johnson, and one to Dylan Canatsy, David Page and Dominick Durossette on Saturday.

"Devon's an athlete," Bret said. "He's smart. He understands the offense."