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Prep/youth connection important
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Ceres High's and Central Valley's varsity football teams posted a combined record of 36-104 and secured zero playoffs berths from 2006-2012.

"We haven't been very good," Bulldogs head coach/City Councilman Bret Durossette said. "Neither have they. How do we get good? What are other places doing that could help us?"

Durossette talked about the importance of making connections with Ceres' youth football programs.

"It's always been my dream and desire to have a feeder program," Bret said. "That's an important thing to have. If the kids have a connection to the high school, they're going to be really excited to play for us. Oakdale's a good example."

"They should have done this for the last 20 years," Seahawks Youth Football & Cheer President Javier Fregoso said. "It will make an immediate impact at the freshman level. All of the terminology is the same, so when you get there you're a duck in the water. It's a win-win situation for both programs. Only positives can come out of it."

"We're all for being a feeder program for Ceres High," Cowboys President Madeline Patterson said. "We want to make the transition as easy as possible. It will be beneficial for everyone."

Jason McCloskey, Central Valley's new head coach, and his staff made a surprise appearance at the Sixth Annual Seahawks Skills Camp on July 14 at Blaker-Kinser Jr. High School.

More than 90 players attended the four-hour long clinic, which got underway at 8 a.m. and ended at noon. Emphasis was placed on conditioning and offense and defensive skills. Hot dogs, chips and drinks were served at the conclusion of the camp.


"He was out there instructing and encouraging the kids," Fregoso said. "Everybody was fired up."

Ceres High and Central Valley held a joint clinic for Ceres Youth Baseball earlier this year.

That action prompted Ceres Unified to provide similar opportunities to the Bulldogs' and Hawks' football programs.

"If we find out somebody is recruiting, we'll look into it, and take the appropriate action," Ceres Unified Supt. Scott Siegel said.

Added Durossette: "We know what we can and can't do."