The Ceres Jr. Bulldogs Youth Football & Cheer Organization kicked off its 14th season of competition this past weekend.
The Jr. Bulldogs played host to the Northwest Trojans on Saturday at Ceres High School.
“We’re very grateful the kids and families continue to come back,” said Joseph Estrada, president/varsity football head coach. “We don’t even pass out flyers. It’s word of mouth.”
Ceres’ membership consists of 120 players and 70 cheerleaders, aged 6-14.
“This is the largest enrollment we’ve had since COVID,” Estrada said. “We keep growing. We’re established. We’re not going anywhere. We know what it takes to run a program. It’s more than football. It’s family-oriented. We’re giving kids an outlet. Safety is No. 1. We’re trying to keep them out of the streets.”
Enrollment fee for football is $225 for a returning player and $250 for a newcomer.
Cost to cheer is $340 for a returner and $650 for a newcomer.
“We give out family discounts and sponsors,” Estrada said. “We don’t turn kids away.”
Practices are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at Smyrna Park.
The Jr. Bulldogs offer four levels of both football and cheer.
Ceres’ head football coaches are Joseph Estrada (varsity), Sebastian Ruiz (junior varsity), Umar Murisete-Duncan (rookies) and Adam Zuniga (starts).
The Jr. Bulldogs’ head cheer coaches are Janessa Estrada (varsity/junior varsity), Sara Sanchez (rookies) and Caroline Torres (starts).
“We’re not just coaches,” Joseph Estrada said. “We’re also role models. The reason we do this is for the kids. We try to give them the best of the best. We provide a lot of years of experience.”
Parents were required to sign code-of-conduct forms prior to the start of the season.
“We hold our parents to a high standard,” Joseph Estrada said. “We enforce it (rules).”
The Jr. Bulldogs are members of the Central Valley Youth Football & Cheer League. Ceres’ conference schedules includes games against the Northwest Trojans, Riverbank Outlaws (Aug. 29), Tracy Buccaneers (Sept. 5), Lathrop Jr. Spartans (Sept. 12), Tracy Rampage (Sept. 19), Manteca Cowboys (Sept. 26), Manteca Jr. Buffs (Oct. 3), Western Ranch (Oct. 10) and Lodi Flames (Oct. 17).
Playoffs will be staged on Oct. 31 (first round), Nov. 7 (second round) and Nov. 14 (championship) with locations and times to be determined.
Cheer competition will be held on Oct. 24 at Central Valley High School.
“It’s a great league,” Joseph Estrada said. “Every team has numbers and is very competitive. The farthest we travel (for road games) is Tracy and Lodi. Our bi-laws and rules are very strict. But it’s very fair.
The Jr. Bulldogs’ executive board consists of Joseph Estrada (president), Jimmy Crane (vice president), Ashley Shaw (treasurer), Kimberly Araquistain (secretary), Santiago Mendoza (equipment manager), Lisa Tijerino (cheer booster), Mariah Stanfield (team mom coordinator), Michael Faulkner (athletic director), Michelle Santana (social media manager) and Avery Jackson (announcer).
Joseph Estrada was named the Ceres Chamber of Commerce’s “Volunteer of the Year” in January.
In August of 2025, Joseph Estrada had to undergo emergency quadruple bypass heart surgery.
He was hospitalized for 13 days, including two in the intensive-care unit.
He attended football practice after he was discharged.
“God kept me here to mentor our youth,” Joseph Estrada said. “It’s not about the win or the trophy – it’s about the longevity of our kids to grow up to be civil human beings in our community and I’m gonna keep fighting for them. I’m not gonna stop.”
