Ceres High’s football team is peaking at the right time.
The Bulldogs notched their second comeback win in four weeks as they rallied for a 41-35 victory over the Grace Davis Spartans Friday evening at Modesto Junior College.
“We were rolling all night,” Ceres High quarterback Kyle Phongsa said. “We scored almost every drive. We did what we had to do.”
The Bulldogs improved to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the WAC standings.
The Spartans dropped to 4-4 and 3-2.
Ceres High has won three of its last four games.
The Bulldogs compiled a 3-8 record in 2023.
“I feel like we’re getting better week to week and peaking at the right time, offensively,” Ceres High offensive coordinator Debin Cowell said. “It’s year one in a brand-new offense with a first-year QB so it’s going to take some time to get the wrinkles out and get guys comfortable with what we are trying to do. We’ve played some really good ball at times, offensively, and we just need to eliminate the big mistakes and turnovers to get to where we want to be.”
“Our chemistry has improved,” Phongsa added. “It’s something that took time. Everyone supports each other. Whoever makes a play, we’re happy for them. We’re working as one.”
The Bulldogs and Spartans racked up a combined 647 yards and nine touchdowns on offense during the back-and-forth affair.
The game featured five ties.
“We moved the ball well,” Phongsa said. “They moved the ball well. We knew it was going to be an offensive game.”
Ceres High had 349 yards of total offense versus Grace Davis. The Bulldogs were forced to punt just once.
Phongsa threw for 201 yards with a career-high four touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 12 of 21 pass attempts.
“Kyle has grown a ton from the summer to now,” Cowell stated. “Because he didn’t play quarterback last year, it has taken some time for him to learn and he has done that week to week.”
Phongsa completed TD passes to four different players against Grace Davis, including Reis Smith, Daniel Davis, Eric De lozada and Tre Karriem.
“It shows my growth as a QB,” he said.
Smith grabbed three passes for 49 yards and one touchdown.
He also returned a kickoff 70 yards for a score.
Davis totaled 96 yards and one touchdown on four catches.
De lozada caught two passes for 29 yards and one touchdown.
Karriem caught three passes for 27 yards and one touchdown.
Ceres High piled up 148 yards on the ground.
Michael Solis ran for 16 yards and one touchdown on eight carries.
Manny Mendoza gained 57 yards on nine carries.
Alex Alvarez totaled 52 yards on nine carries.
David Rodriguez made five of six point-after kicks.
Davis tallied seven tackles and one fumble recovery on defense.
Karriem had three tackles and one forced fumble.
Smith had three tackles and one pass deflection.
Ceres High outscored Grace Davis 13-0 during the final 10 minutes of play to complete the comeback.
Tied at 35-all with five minutes left in regulation, Phongsa and Davis accounted for what proved to be the winning touchdown.
Phongsa connected with Davis on a 31-yard TD pass on fourth down.
“I just saw him and threw it,” Phongsa said. “The first read was supposed to be to Reis.”
Ceres High will face host Beyer (2-6, 1-4) this Friday at Johansen. Kickoff slated for 7 p.m.
The Bulldogs are inching closer to earning their fourth consecutive playoff berth.
“We’re happy with the success we’ve had this season,” Phongsa said. “Big improvement from last year. But we’re still not satisfied. We want to go to playoffs again and win a game.”
Vikings 38, Hawks 3
Central Valley’s football program enjoyed a promising start for the second week in a row.
Kicker Alejandro Valencia booted a 27-yard field goal to cap off his team’s opening possession of Friday’s game against Johansen.
The Vikings responded with five unanswered touchdowns in cruising to a 38-3 win against the host Hawks at Ceres High School.
Central Valley dropped to 1-7 overall and 0-5 in the Western Athletic Conference standings
Johansen improved to 4-4 and 3-2.
The Vikings handed the Hawks their seventh straight loss.
Central Valley had 151 yards with lost three fumbles on offense in defeat.
The Hawks totaled 91 rushing yards on 20 attempts.
Erick Mendoza gained a team-high 70 yards on 12 carries.
Dominic Delatorre completed 8 of 17 passes for 60 yards.
Isaias Valdovinos caught two passes for 17 yards.
Caden Mendonca caught two passes for 14 yards.
Valencia made one of two field goals.
Cesar Pimentel collected a team-high 14 tackles on defense.
Emmanuel Luna had 12 tackles.
Massimo Catalano had 11 tackles.
Andrue Olivas had 10 tackles and one fumble recovery.
Anthony Hill had three tackles and one interception.
Alejandro Salcedo had two tackles, one sack and one forced fumble.
Edgar Peralta had two tackles and one sack.
Central Valley trailed 20-3 at the break.
Valencia’s 27-yard field goal gave the Hawks a 3-0 lead with 9:37 to play in the first quarter.
He also drilled a 25-yard field goal late in the opening half at Livingston the previous week. Ahead 3-0, the Hawks were outscored 42-7 the rest of the game.
Central Valley will play host to Lathrop (7-1, 5-0) this Friday at Ceres High School.
The WAC contest will get underway at 7 p.m.
