The Ceres Seahawks Youth Football & Cheer Organization has reached a major milestone.

The Seahawks kicked off their 20th season on Aug. 15.

“Everything we do is for the kids,” President Willie Solorio said. “Everything goes back to them.”

A total of 100 football players and 25 cheerleaders, aged 6-14, signed up for the 2026 season.

Ceres fields football and cheer teams at the following levels: varsity (14-and-under), junior varsity (12&under), novice (10&under) and junior novice (8&under).

“We’re here to have fun,” Solorio said. “It’s a safe environment for the kids. Some of them are with us eight months out of the year.”

Standard package registration fee for football is $275 per player.

Upgraded packages are priced at $580 and $780, respectively.

Cost to cheer is $700.

“We gave out quite a few scholarships this year, probably 20,” Solorio said. “We do understand families are in need. We work with the parents in a lot of ways. We offer fundraisers and work when we help out the Lions Club.”

New uniforms were purchased for football and cheer.

Color scheme for football is maroon, black and neon.

“We’re trying to match the (new) field at Central Valley High School’s stadium,” Solorio said.

Practices are staged on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at Roeding Heights Park.

Ceres’ head coaches for football are Anthony Lopez (varsity), Jorge Arroyo (junior varsity), Isaiah Epps (novice) and Lucky Birring (junior novice).

Kendra Kimura (varsity), Monica Lopez (junior varsity), Malia Day (novice) and Jasmene Lopez (junior novice) will lead the Seahawks’ cheer squads.

“We got some great coaches,” Solorio said. “Most of our coaches played for us.”

Former members of the New NorCal American Youth Football and Cheer Conference, Ceres will compete in the Trans Valley Youth Football League (TVYFL) this fall.

Seahawk players, cheerleaders and families no longer have to make long road trips to Sacramento, Palo Alto, Oakland, Berkeley and Pinol for road games.

“It wasn’t about the league and play,” Solorio said while talking about Ceres’ decision to change leagues. “We did really well. We just didn’t like to travel.”

The Seahawks will play 10 games during the regular season.

Ceres’ TVYFL opponents are the Newman Warriors (Aug. 15), Ripon Chiefs (Aug. 22), Modesto Raiders (Aug. 29), Salida Eagles (Sept. 12), Ripon Knights (Sept. 19), Central Saints (Sept. 26), Big Valley Sabres (Oct. 3), Tri-City Bulldogs (Oct. 10), Modesto Rams (Oct. 17) and Kingsmen (Oct. 24).

Playoffs will be staged on Oct. 31 and Nov. 7.

Super Bowl contests will be played on Nov. 14 and 15.

“It’s a very competitive league,” Solorio said.

Willie Solorio (president/league representative), Anthony Lopez (vice president), Malia Day (secretary), Dave Day (treasurer), Junior Schaefer (sergeant at arms) and Nikki Solorio (cheer coordinator) make up Ceres’ executive board.

“We don’t get paid or perks,” Willie Solorio said. “We’re here for the kids.”

Willie Solorio has been affiliated with the Seahawks Organization since its inception in 2007.

This is his 14th year serving as president.

“I’m still here,” he said. “I keep coming back.”

“My kids and grandkids have gone through the program,” Willie Solorio added.