Ceres High’s and Central Valley’s junior-varsity football teams battled until the very end during their crosstown matchup.

The host Bulldogs escaped with a 17-14 win over the Hawks in front of a large crowd on Nov. 1 at CUSD Stadium.

“There were a lot of ups and downs throughout the game,” Ceres High leader Angel Garcia said. “The boys kept working. They didn’t crack under the pressure.”

“They made some big plays,” Central Valley head coach/former Bulldog quarterback Chris Lubinsky stated. “We made some big plays. At the end of the game, they made a great play to stop us.”

The Bulldogs compiled a 5-4-1 overall record and finished third in the Western Athletic Conference with a 4-2-1 mark this fall.

The Hawks went 7-2-1 and placed second in the WAC standings (5-2).

“I inherited a group of hard workers,” Garcia said. “They maximized their IQs. They got better.”

“We have a great group of kids,” Lubinsky said. “They’re hard workers. They took on the challenge to try to improve. I loved coaching them every single minute. I’m excited to see them develop and grow.”

Ceres High quarterback Caelen Eskridge completed 3 of 5 passes for 105 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Jayden Carrillo caught one pass for 92 yards and one touchdown and ran for 87 yards and one score on 13 carries.

Malachi German gained 47 yards and scored one touchdown on nine carries.

Aaron Kennedy totaled 13 yards on two receptions.

Johnathan Moody converted both of his point-after kicks and booted a 29-yard field.

Jeremiah Moreno accounted for both of Central Valley’s touchdowns.

He had two rushing scores.

Jayden Pires made both of his point-after kicks.

Denario Osario led the Bulldogs’ defense with four tackles, one interception and two pass deflections.

Malachi German had five tackles and one forced fumble.

Dakota Pickett had three tackles and one pass deflection.

Julian Barrera had nine tackles.

Tavian Ellis and Madex Preciado both had six tackles.

Beau Visser had five tackles.

“We knew we were going to be in a dogfight,” Garcia said. “I coached some of their guys when they were younger.”

Ceres High trailed 7-3 at halftime.

Moreno scored on a 1-yard run and Pires added the point-after kick in the second quarter to give Central Valley a 7-0 lead.

Moody’s 29-yard field goal cut the deficit to four points.

The Bulldogs outscored the Hawks 14-7 during the second half.

Down 7-3, Eskridge tossed a 92-yard touchdown pass to Carrillo in the third quarter.

Central Valley reclaimed the lead in the fourth quarter on Moreno’s 30-yard TD run and Pires’ second PAT.

German’s 7-yard rushing TD and Moody’s second PAT gave Ceres High a three-point lead with less than six minutes to play.

German carried the ball five times for 34 yards during the Bulldogs’ go-ahead drive.

Carrillo gained 23 yards on three carries.

Offensive linemen Edwin Martinez, Isaiah German, Tavian Ellis, Roy Randez and Malachi Johnson paved the way.

“It was a huge drive for us,” Garcia said. “We gave the ball to them (German and Carrillo). There were no negative plays.”

The Hawks’ potential, game-winning drive ended with a turnover deep in Bulldog territory with 13 seconds remaining in the game.

Osario sealed the victory when he intercepted a pass at cornerback inside Ceres High’s 5-yard line. 

Osario was penalized several plays earlier for taunting.

“He redeemed himself,” Garcia said. “It was cool to see.”

Eskridge, who contributed at defensive tackle late in the game, pressured Central Valley’s quarterback into throwing the pick.

“It was a tough way to lose,” Lubinsky said. 

“When we had to capitalize, we did,” Garcia added.

As expected, the game went down to the wire.

Ceres High earned a hard-fought victory while competing against crosstown-rival Central Valley.

“It was a great game,” Garcia said. “We were physical from start to finish. We left everything on the field. It wasn’t pretty. But a win is a win. Hats off to Chris and Central Valley’s boys. They had a great year.”

“I thought both teams played hard,” Lubinsky stated.

The Bulldogs and Hawks put on a show in front of a large audience.

“It’s an awesome atmosphere,” Garcia said. “The last few years, the crowds have been huge. It’s something the community loves. It’s fun to be a part of.”

“Crosstown games are always physical and competitive,” Lubinsky added. “When you’re playing against them, you always want to win.”