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Pee-Wee Seahawks claim AFC crown
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The Ceres Seahawks pee-wee youth football team won the Cen-Cal AFC regular season championship last week.

Ceres improved to 10-0 after edging out the previously-unbeaten Modesto Broncos 20-18 in triple overtime in the Huff Bowl on Saturday at Modesto Christian High School.

The Seahawks were awarded the No. 1 overall seed for the playoffs.

The Broncos dropped to 9-1 on the year.

"It's a dream come true for the kids," Ceres head coach Randy Scacutto said. "It's one of the greatest games I've ever been a part of. I could barely talk after the game. Everyone was drained. It was emotional."

Neither team scored in regulation.

The Seahawks had six drives stall in the red zone.

"It was a war," Scacutto said. "Our defense played really good. I got to give the other team credit too."

The Broncos grabbed an 18-12 lead in the third overtime.

Ceres' Caleb Aungst tied the game with a 9-yard TD run.

Angel Porras booted the game-winning 2-point kick. His first two 2-point conversions were blocked. He also just missed nailing a 23-yard field goal in the opening half.

"I have confidence in him," Scacutto said. "He's been kicking all year. He has a pretty good percentage."

Porras scored on a 4-yard run in the second overtime.

Miguel Jimenez tossed a 12-yard TD pass to Jake Partida in the first overtime.

Ceres will take on the Merced Cougars in the opening round of the playoffs on Saturday at Golden Valley High School. The game will begin at 1 p.m.

JV Seahawks take first too

The Ceres Seahawks junior-varsity youth football team beat the Modesto Broncos for the first time in program history last week.

The Seahawks ended a three-game winless streak versus the Broncos with an 8-0 victory on Saturday at Modesto Christian High School.

Ceres captured the Huff Bowl perpetual trophy.

"This is a big win," Seahawks head coach Randy Flanagan said. "Both teams were 8-1. It was a battle."

Ceres improved to 9-1 overall and placed first in the Cen-Cal Jr. Football League AFC Division with a perfect 6-0 record.

Modesto, a member of the NFC, dropped to 8-2. The Broncos collected wins against the Seahawks in 2010, 2009 and 2008.

Ceres earned the No. 1 seed for the 2011 playoffs.

"They've surprised the heck out of me," Flanagan said. "They've played really good as a team. They complement each other."

Ceres all-purpose player Jared Rice had 135 rushing yards and one touchdown.

He scored on a 15-yard sweep play to the right during the Seahawks' first possession of the second half.

Ryan Hendrix converted the 2-point kick.

The winning drive covered 60 yards.

"That team was no slouch," said Flanagan, who has a 1-1 career record against the Broncos. "They were tough. They were big. I think we were too fast for them."

Defensive end Paul Mondragon, linebacker Coleby Garrett and safety Estavan Barrigan helped shut down Modesto's offense. Barrigan had an interception.

"Different kids step up every week," Flanagan said.

Top-seeded Ceres will face the No. 4 Oakdale Stampede in the opening round of the playoffs on Saturday at Oakdale High School. The Seahawks have high expectations.

"It's going to take a good team to beat us," Flanagan said. "They're going to have to hit on all cylinders."