Central Valley’s football team dropped its final game of the 2023 season.

The Hawks lost 62-21 to the first-place Merced Bears on Senior Night Friday evening at CUSD Stadium.

“Watching them on film, we knew they’d be the best team we’ve played all year,” head coach Derrick Goblirsch said. “We wanted to send the seniors out on a high note. The kids played hard. They had fun. The effort was there.”

Central Valley managed to compile a 4-6 overall record this year despite being plagued by injuries.

The Hawks finished in fifth place in the ultra-competitive CCC with a 2-4 mark.

The CCC-champion Bears improved to 7-3 and annexed a perfect 6-0 record in conference play.

Central Valley starting quarterback Mario Gonzalez suffered a season-ending knee injury against Modesto High during the fourth week of the season.

Backup QB Darrius Jackson missed four games with shoulder injuries.

Lineman Joshua Ludwig (knee) was sidelined for his sixth consecutive game.

“I’m proud of the way the guys played all year,” said Goblirsch, whose team doubled its win total from 2022. “They did a great job even with all the injuries and moving parts. They were willing to put the team first. That’s why they were able to have success.”

Central Valley recognized its 29 upperclassmen prior to kickoff, including Gonzalez, Jackson, Ludwig, Ramirez, Josiah Sandoval and Joshua Hale.

Jackson and Ludwig were three-year varsity players.

Gonzalez, Ramirez, Sandoval and Hale were two-year contributors.

“We’re going to have some holes to fill,” Goblirsch said. Those guys are going to be missed. They helped change the culture.”

“Everybody took it serious,” Ramirez said while talking about Central Valley’s turnaround from a year ago. “Everybody bought in. The focus and discipline made a big difference in how we played.”

Ramirez set career-high totals in receptions, yards and touchdowns against Merced. He caught 10 passes for 200 yards and three TDs despite being slowed by an ankle injury.

Jackson completed 11 of 12 passes for 121 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions versus the Bears. He injured his left shoulder in the second quarter and didn’t return to the game.

“He actually played really well,” Goblirsch said. “Sad his senior year ended that way.”

Hawk teammates Marcus Nichols and Edgar Peralta also logged playing time at quarterback.

Nichols tossed a 76-yard touchdown pass to Ramirez.

Peralta completed 8 of 13 passes for 67 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions.

Joey Zuniga caught four passes for 38 yards.

Central Valley mustered just 7 rushing yards.

The Bears scored 28 points off four Hawk turnovers. Merced returned two interceptions for touchdowns.

“Against teams like that, we can’t make those mistakes,” Goblirsch said. “It’s hard to come back.”

The Hawks fell behind 21-0 in the first quarter and faced a 34-14 deficit at halftime.

Merced dashed Central Valley’s comeback hopes in the third quarter.

The Bears increased their lead to 48-14 after returning back-to-back interceptions for touchdowns.

“It didn’t matter what the scoreboard showed towards the end of the game,” Ramirez said. “We were playing for each other.”

Central Valley reeled off four straight wins before ending the season on a four-game skid.