Ceres High School’s football team made the short trip to Hughson to face the defending Sac-Joaquin Section Division-VI champions during the opening week of the 2024 season.

Winners of back-to-back section banners, the Huskies claimed a state championship in 2022.

Upset-minded Ceres High lost 35-7 to host Hughson Friday evening.

“Going into it, we were confident,” Bulldogs’ lineman Elias Carrera said. “We had a game plan—run and pass the ball. We didn’t execute the way we wanted to.”

Ceres High dropped to 0-1 overall.

Hughson improved to 1-0 on the year.

“It’s a new season, a new group and a new opportunity,” Bulldogs’ head coach Brett Johnson said.

“The thing I’m most proud of is our kids fought from start to finish,” he added. “I thought they gave their best performance. The only reason you should hang your head is if you don’t give it your all every play.”

The Bulldogs ran a total of 43 offensive plays against the Huskies.

Junior Eric De lozada punted six times for 163 yards.

Ceres High lost two fumbles.

“You can’t go three-and-out and have turnovers against a good, well-coached football team,” Johnson said. “They’ll take advantage of it. And that’s what they did.”

Bulldog Kyle Phongsa made his varsity debut at quarterback.

He completed 11 of 21 passes for 51 yards.

Backup Parker Borges also logged playing time at QB for the first time.

He completed 1 of 2 passes for 10 yards and one touchdown.

“They were blitzing like crazy and pressuring from all different areas,” Johnson said. “I thought Kyle did a nice job stepping up in the pocket and keeping his eyes downfield.”

Reis Smith caught six passes for 35 yards and one touchdown.

Daniel Davis added 15 yards on one reception.

De lozada had 7 yards on one catch.

Manuel Mendoza rushed for a team-high 31 yards on seven carries

Michael Solis ran for 24 yards on five attempts.

“The speed of their defense was fast,” Carrera said.

Hughson quarterback/University of Arizona commit Robert McDaniel completed 15 of 21 passes for 228 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Bryce McDaniel caught four passes for 86 yards and two TDs.

Lawson Aviles grabbed five passes for 54 yards and one touchdown.

Eli Wilbanks gained 93 yards and scored two TDs on 12 carries.

Issac Romero totaled 54 yards on nine carries.

Noe Pacheco converted all five of his point-after kicks.

Carrera led the Bulldogs’ defense with eight tackles and one sack.

Smith had five tackles and one fumble recovery.

Davis had three tackles.

Mendoza had five tackles, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

Solis had three tackles and one fumble recovery.

Junior Adrian Carrillo had three tackles, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.

Tre Karriem had three tackles and one pass deflection.

Isaac Vizcarra and junior Nathaniel Macias both had four tackles.

Junior David Rodriguez had three tackles.

The Bulldogs recovered a total of four fumbles versus the Huskies.

“I was proud of the kids,” Johnson said. “They made plays and created turnovers.”

Hughson imposed its will by building a 28-0 lead in the opening half.

Both teams scored one touchdown during the second half.

“We were definitely prepared,” Carrera said. “We just weren’t able to capitalize.”

“Being able to establish the run game would have helped a lot,” he added.

“We stuck with our game plan,” Johnson stated. “We tried to make it work.”

Borges’ first-career TD pass to Smith in the fourth quarter prevented the shutout.

He replaced Phongsa, who exited the game with an injury.

“Parker stepped in and did well,” Johnson said. “He ran the offense. He had a nice pass to Reis for a touchdown.”

Ceres High had an opportunity to seize the momentum early in the non-league contest.

The Bulldogs recovered the opening kickoff inside the Huskies’ 35-yard line.

“The very next play we fumbled it right back to them,” Johnson said.

Ceres High will play host to Delhi at its newly-renovated stadium this Thursday at 7 p.m.

The two teams will compete on FieldTurf.

The Hawks won their season-opener, 28-0, versus the Esparto Spartans last week.

“They run an interesting offense,” Johnson said. “They showed they can score. If we go out and execute and maintain our composure, I think we can have a really good night.”

“I feel like we can be a lot better,” Carrera added.