Ceres High’s varsity football program will scrimmage for the first time under new head coach Matt Chachere’s guidance this Saturday at Bulldog Stadium.

“We want the kids to be excited,” he said. “But at the same time, we want them to focus on their assignments. It’s going to be interesting to see how it all comes together.”

The Bulldogs and crosstown-rival Hawks are co-hosting the four-team scrimmage.

Ceres High and Central Valley will compete against Grace Davis and Hughson.

 “Our main goal is to see how the players perform against somebody else other than themselves,” Chachere said. “It’s an evaluation process.”

Chachere was defensive coordinator at Grace Davis the past two years.

“It’s definitely going to be fun seeing those guys,” he said. 

Ceres High seniors Clayton Taylor and Isaac Vizcaino will share snaps at quarterback.

Dalton Durossette, last year’s starter, transferred to Central Catholic.

“They’ve been working hard at practice,” Chachere said. “We’re eager to see how both of them do against competition.”

Taylor competed at the junior-varsity level as a sophomore.

“He grew height-wise and athletically,” Chachere said. “He has a strong arm. He’s the fastest kid on our team and he had the highest vertical.”

Vizcaino transferred from Modesto High.

“He’s shorter than Clayton but more athletic in space,” Chachere said. 

The Bulldogs have a new starting running back in Felipe Martinez.

Martinez replaces Andrew Gibson, who graduated in June. 

Andrew Alcala (running back/receiver), Josh Gonzales (receiver), Elias Saldana (line) and Clint Holmes (line) will also contribute on offense.

Martinez (linebacker), Alcala (safety), Gonzales (cornerback) and Saldana (line) will lead the way on defense.

“We have a lot of new guys playing different positions,” Chachere said. 

The scrimmage will get underway at 9 a.m.

“I’m a little nervous,” he said. “But I’m more anxious to see how we do. We’re prepared.”

Ceres High hasn’t qualified for the playoffs or claimed a league title since 2004.

The Bulldogs went 3-7 and finished in last place in the Western Athletic Conference standings (0-5) last fall.

“We’re excited for the season to start,” Saldana said. “The scrimmage is the first step. We need to play like it’s the first game. We want to let other teams know we’re different. We’re better.”