The Ceres High JV football team lost its final game of the season even though it allowed no first downs and minus-eight yards of total offense in the second half.
"That's been a microcosm of our season," said Ceres coach Mike Corsaut. "We'll do poor in the first half, make adjustments and do well in the second half."
Downey scored on three of its four possessions in the first half in a 26-8 rout of the Bulldogs in Ceres on Thursday.
Ceres finished last in the Modesto Metro Conference with a 0-5 record and went 2-8 overall.
"We're not pleased with the record," Corsaut said. "But we're pleased with how the boys persevered. They battled every single game.
"I think we prepared them for next year."
Robert Jordan scored three touchdowns, including two rushing and one on special teams, and Robert Hammond scored once for the Knights, who compiled a 3-2 record in the league standings.
Downey shutout Ceres 20-0 in the opening half.
The Knights took an 8-0 lead in the first quarter on Hammond's 13-yard run and Brad Harden's 2-point conversion pass to Erik Fidalgo.
Downey scored twice in the second quarter.
Jordan's 44-yard touchdown run around the left end put Downey ahead 14-0.
His second score came at the end of the first half. He spun past a defender and stumbled into the end zone with 25 seconds remaining. Jordan's 6-yard run capped an eight-play, 75-yard drive.
Ceres outscored Downey 8-6 in the second half. The Knights punted four times.
Jake Keidel's 38-yard punt return help set up the Bulldogs' lone score in the fourth quarter.
Tony Marquez's 6-yard rushing touchdown and 2-point conversion run cut Downey's lead to 12, 20-8, with 27 seconds remaining.
Jordan returned the ensuing kickoff 65 yards for a score.
Ceres' offense had plenty of opportunities in the game.
The Bulldogs stalled four times inside the Downey 35.
"We just couldn't finish drives," Corsaut said.
Two of Ceres' defensive starters did not play in the second half.
Defensive back Ross Tate suffered a stinger while making a tackle and was carted off the field on a stretcher. Defensive tackle Viliami Namomo suffered a knee injury when he was clipped from behind.
"They got hurt on the same play," Corsaut said. - By DALE BUTLER / Staff Reporter of The Ceres (Calif.) Courier
"That's been a microcosm of our season," said Ceres coach Mike Corsaut. "We'll do poor in the first half, make adjustments and do well in the second half."
Downey scored on three of its four possessions in the first half in a 26-8 rout of the Bulldogs in Ceres on Thursday.
Ceres finished last in the Modesto Metro Conference with a 0-5 record and went 2-8 overall.
"We're not pleased with the record," Corsaut said. "But we're pleased with how the boys persevered. They battled every single game.
"I think we prepared them for next year."
Robert Jordan scored three touchdowns, including two rushing and one on special teams, and Robert Hammond scored once for the Knights, who compiled a 3-2 record in the league standings.
Downey shutout Ceres 20-0 in the opening half.
The Knights took an 8-0 lead in the first quarter on Hammond's 13-yard run and Brad Harden's 2-point conversion pass to Erik Fidalgo.
Downey scored twice in the second quarter.
Jordan's 44-yard touchdown run around the left end put Downey ahead 14-0.
His second score came at the end of the first half. He spun past a defender and stumbled into the end zone with 25 seconds remaining. Jordan's 6-yard run capped an eight-play, 75-yard drive.
Ceres outscored Downey 8-6 in the second half. The Knights punted four times.
Jake Keidel's 38-yard punt return help set up the Bulldogs' lone score in the fourth quarter.
Tony Marquez's 6-yard rushing touchdown and 2-point conversion run cut Downey's lead to 12, 20-8, with 27 seconds remaining.
Jordan returned the ensuing kickoff 65 yards for a score.
Ceres' offense had plenty of opportunities in the game.
The Bulldogs stalled four times inside the Downey 35.
"We just couldn't finish drives," Corsaut said.
Two of Ceres' defensive starters did not play in the second half.
Defensive back Ross Tate suffered a stinger while making a tackle and was carted off the field on a stretcher. Defensive tackle Viliami Namomo suffered a knee injury when he was clipped from behind.
"They got hurt on the same play," Corsaut said. - By DALE BUTLER / Staff Reporter of The Ceres (Calif.) Courier
