Ceres High’s football team challenged first-place Johansen for two-plus quarters last week.

The Bulldogs had their upset bid dashed as they committed six turnovers and allowed 588 yards of total offense in losing 49-24 to the Vikings on Friday in Modesto.

“Obviously, we wanted to beat them,” Ceres High all-purpose player Leo Ayala said. “We knew they were a good team. We knew we could compete with them. We were confident. We weren’t scared. Everyone gave their all. Mistakes cost us.”

Ceres High dropped to 2-4 overall and sixth place in the Western Athletic Conference standings with a 1-2 record.

Johansen improved to 5-1 and 3-0.

“Our record doesn’t show the type of team we are,” Ayala said. “People don’t see all the effort we put in. We just need to keep the same energy all four quarters.”

Ayala had a breakout game for the Bulldogs.

He caught a career-high nine passes for 140 yards and one touchdown.

Ayala also contributed at defensive back, kicker and punter.

He collected four tackles.

He booted a 30-yard field goal.

He made all three of his point-after kicks.

He also totaled 74 yards on two punts.

“I know my team is depending on me,” Ayala said. “I don’t want to let them down.”

Bulldog receiver Julian Barrera had 30 yards and one touchdown on two catches.

Ceres High quarterback Anthony Santillan threw for 171 yards with two touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 12 of 27 passes.

Bulldog backup quarterback Tyler Phongsa Chhoeum rushed for 100 yards and one touchdown on five carries.

“I think we shocked them a little bit,” Ayala said. “They probably expected us to run the ball. Watching film, we saw they would stack the line of scrimmage. And we saw gaps to throw into.”

Ceres High’s defense allowed a season-high 588 yards of offense, including 341 through the air and 247 on the ground, along with seven touchdowns.

The Bulldogs forced two turnovers.

Angel Bravo led Ceres High with nine tackles and one fumble recovery.

Phongsa Chhoeum tallied five tackles and one sack at defensive back.

Jonathan Marquez had three tackles, one interception and one forced fumble.

Gelo Estrada had two tackles and one sack.

Johansen and Ceres High combined for 35 points in the first quarter.

The Vikings outscored the Bulldogs, 21-14.

Ceres High totaled two touchdowns.

Santillan tossed TD passes to Ayala (56 yards) and Barrera (21 yards) in the first quarter.

“We showed we have what it takes to keep up with one of the top teams in our league,” said Ayala, whose team trailed 28-14 at the break.

Ayala booted a 30-yard field goal to pull the Bulldogs within 11 points (28-17) in the third quarter.

“We weren’t out of the game,” Ayala said. “We kept fighting.”

Johansen extended its lead to 35-17 heading into the fourth quarter.

Trailing 42-17, Phongsa Chhoeum raced 91 yards for a touchdown and Ayala added his third PAT to cut the deficit to 18 points.

“ If we kept the same energy the whole time, it would have been a closer game,” Ayala said.

Ceres High will play host to last-place Livingston (1-5, 0-3) this Friday at 7 p.m.