The Ceres Seahawks varsity youth football team secured rivalry bragging rights with a 17-14 win over the Ceres Cowboys on Nov. 29 at Ceres High School.

The Seahawks defeated the Cowboys 51-8 last year and 64-16 in 2012.

"For the majority of these kids, it's the last game they'll play at the youth level," Seahawks head coach Joe Borba said. "This is a stepping stone. They'll be competing in high school next year."

The Seahawks compiled a 6-5 overall record this year.

The Seahawks fell one win shy of qualifying for the playoffs as the Manteca Jr. Buffaloes secured the CenCal League's fourth and final berth with a 26-24 win.
"We underachieved," Borba said.

The Cowboys posted a 4-7 record and lost a coin flip for the Delta Youth Football League's final postseason berth.

"We had a very successful season," Cowboys head coach John Thompson said. "We look to improve next year."

Seahawk Andrew Alcala rushed for 57 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries versus the Cowboys. He collected six tackles on defense.

Darin Andrews returned a punt 64 yards for a TD.

Safety Elliott Lewis picked off three Cowboy passes.

Orlando Leon had seven tackles, two sacks and one safety.

David Velasquez chipped in with 10 tackles and one sack.

Josiah Orozco contributed one interception.

Ryan Palecek totaled five tackles.

Short on numbers, the Cowboys used five players from the Modesto Vikings' organization during the Ceres rivalry contest.

"I knew it was going to be a close game," Borba said. "With our offense, we throw the ball a lot. The condition of the field took us out of our element. We were limited. Fortunately, we were able to do enough to win. Our defense did a lot for us."

"The kids had fun," Thompson stated
The Seahawks led 10-6 at halftime.

Andrews had a 64-yard punt-return TD and Leon registered a safety in the second period. Angel Porras booted the 2-point kick following Darin's score.

The Cowboys' John Sagapolu returned a kickoff 50 yards for a TD in the second quarter and Xavier Vera ran back an interception 60 yards in the third period.

Down 14-10 early in the fourth quarter, Velasquez scored on a 6-yard run and Alcala added the 1-point conversion to give the Seahawks a 17-14 lead.

"Honestly, there wasn't much offense," Borba said. "The field was a mess because of the rain from the first three games. It was muddy. The kids loved it."