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H I G H
S C H O O L
F O O T B A L L
P R E V I E W
S E C T I O N
The Ceres Courier WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016
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Ceres Football Special Section
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
CV, CHS CHASING SUCCESS
•Dawgs, Hawks begin 2016 season this Friday By DAL E BUTLER Sports Editor of the
Ceres (Calif.) Courier
“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” — former Green Bay Packers head coach Vince Lombardi Progress can be a slow process. Central Valley High School’s varsity football team qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs for the first time during its eighth year of existence in 2013. The Hawks posted a program-best 7-4 overall record and returned to the postseason a year ago. Central Valley won five of six games en route to a second-place finish in the Western Athletic Conference. Ceres High hasn’t had a winning campaign or advanced to the playoffs since 2004. The Bulldogs dropped seven of 10 games last season. Ceres High placed fifth in the WAC standings (2-4). Central Valley plans to maintain its recent run of excellence this fall. Ceres High plans to turn back the clock by ending years of disappointment. “We’re working towards becoming a WAC champion and a perennial playoff team,” Hawks third-year head coach Scott Edwards said. “There’s certainly a direction set. We’re going to continue to be consistent. One of the things I like most about my job is it’s a challenge. It’s not always fun. It’s a great feeling when hard work turns into success.” “Everyone realizes the urgency of our situation,” Ceres High second-year quarterback Chris Lubinsky said. “We all want to win and we all want to win now. There’s no next season for us seniors. It’s now or never. We want to make this year so memorable.” Defense will be Central Valley’s strength as it returns eight of 11 starters from 2015, including Western Athletic Conference FirstTeam selections Estevan Barragan (Jr.) and Erik Mejia (Sr.). Barragan made a name for himself at the varsity level as a sophomore last fall. Estevan racked up a team-leading 103 tackles in 10 games while starring at strong safety. He intercepted two passes. He forced and recovered one fumble. Barragan also had five pass deflections.
Mejia, a defensive lineman, was equally as impressive. He registered 66 tackles, collected five sacks and forced one fumble. “We got a lot of experience,” Edwards said. Central Valley lost nine of its 11 offensive starters to graduation, including the dynamic rushing duo of Moses Ghiorso and Jamarea Lumpkin. Ghiorso and Lumpkin rushed for a combined 2,516 yards and 35 touchdowns. “I have different players so the play calling is going to be different,” Edwards said. “You have to adapt to what you have. It (running the ball) will be our main approach. It’s no secret.” Offense will be Ceres High’s strength. Chris Lubinsky (Sr.), Marcellus Boykins (Sr.) and Conner Johnson (Sr.) contributed at quarterback, receiver and tight end, respectively, as the Bulldogs averaged 30.1 points per game in 2015. All Lubinsky did as a junior was total 2,677 yards and 26 touchdowns while completing 65 percent of his passes with just eight interceptions. Chris was a WAC honorable-mention selection. Johnson earned second-team all-conference accolades. Conner caught 30 passes for 254 yards and one TD. Boykins finished with 535 yards and one touchdown on 44 receptions. Ceres High must improve its defense, which surrendered 433 points last year. The Bulldogs’ top returnee is second-year cornerback Nick Jones (Sr.). Jones was named to the WAC Second Team as a junior. Nick totaled 16 tackles, six pass deflections and two interceptions. “We can’t win games if we don’t have a solid defense,” Jones said. “Everybody has to do their job.” Central Valley and Ceres High will open the 2016 campaign this Friday. The Bulldogs will play host to the Weston Ranch Cougars. The Hawks will travel to Atwater to face the Falcons. Both games will get underway at 7 p.m. “When you reach a goal, it should become your minimum,” Edwards said. “It would be a letdown if we didn’t make playoffs. Every year is different. That’s the challenge. Hopefully, we continue to make gains on the field.”
C O N T E N T S Marcellus Boykins..............................................................3 Erik Mejia Q&A...................................................................4 Crosstown Showdown........................................................5 Estevan Barragan..............................................................6 Chris Lubinksy Q&A............................................................7 Players To Watch...............................................................8 Team Rosters....................................................................9 Tough Competition.......................................................... 10 Publisher
Hank Vander Veen
Editor
Jeff Benziger
Cover
Harold L. George
Writing & Photography Advertisement
Dale Butler Evelyn Hernandez
Hot Rod Diner 1515 Herndon Rd. Ceres, CA 209.581.0150 Wishing Good Luck to Ceres & Central Valley!
Ceres Football Special Section
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Boykins a ball magnet
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• CHS senior playmaker focused now By DAL E BU TLER Sports Editor of the
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Ceres (Calif.) Courier
arcellus Boykins believes his final season of football at Ceres High will be his best. Boykins admitted he had a down year by his standards last season. “You can’t let your ego get ahead of you,” said Marcellus, who caught 29 passes for 464 yards and three touchdowns while earning first-team all-Western Athletic Conference honors at receiver as a sophomore in 2014. “That’s what I let happen last year. I didn’t work as hard as I should have at practice. I didn’t take it serious. I wasn’t focused. It was a learning experience.”
‘It would be extremely special being part of the team that changed the program around.’ –Bulldogs receiver/ cornerback Marcellus Boykins
Boykins will try to help Ceres High end years of frustration in 2016. “It would be extremely special being part of the team that changed the program around,” he said. The Bulldogs haven’t had a winning record or participated in the playoffs since 2004. Ceres High hasn’t experienced much success versus crosstown-rival Central Valley SEE MARCELLUS, PAGE 9
DALE BUTLER/The Courier
Senior Marcellus Boykins will be Ceres High’s go-to receiver this season. Boykins totaled 535 yards and one touchdown on 44 receptions last fall.
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Ceres Football Special Section
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
CATCHING UP WITH #58 •Central Valley senior lineman Erik Mejia to make an impact on both sides of the ball Erik Mejia CENTRAL VALLEY Sr. 6-1, 260 Hawk senior Erik Mejia will be a two-way lineman for the Hawks this fall. Mejia earned first-team all-Western Athletic Conference honors his junior year. He registered 66 tackles, collected five sacks and forced one fumble. Erik ranked second in the WAC in sacks (3) and sixth in tackles (38). QUESTION: This is your second season playing varsity football. You’re going to fill a key role on the team once again. Do you feel any added pressure to perform at a high level? ANSWER: I feel like I need to step up a little more. There’s no added pressure. I’m just trying to be a leader for the team. I’m more of a vocal person. I like to encourage people. I also like to show by example. Q: What have you done over the past couple of months to get ready for the upcoming season? A: I’ve been working really hard during the offseason. I go to Bonsu Elite Athletics sometimes with my friends. It gets you stronger. I work out at In-Shape, too. Q: What do you enjoy most about the sport? A: I like being around my friends. I like the feeling of winning. I like the competitiveness. Q: Have you set any goals for the 2016 season? A: For the team, we want to try to win league and go to playoffs. For me, I want to try to make an impact on both sides of the ball. Q: Central Valley will be competing with a revamped offense as nine of 11 starters were lost to graduation, including the dynamic rushing duo of Moses Ghiorso and Jamarea Lumpkin. Ghiorso and Lumpkin combined for 2,516 yards and 35 touchdowns. Will the Hawks be able to duplicate that production on the field this year? A: They were the superstars on the team. Now, everybody is going to have to step up. It’s not going to be just one person. Q: Central Valley has an all-time record of 8-2 versus crosstown-rival Ceres High. Do you have a prediction for this year’s game? A: I think we both have solid teams. It’s going to be a good game. Q: Do you have a favorite NFL team? A: I like the Chicago Bears. I grew up watching them and loved how they played. Their defense was good. Q: Who’s your favorite NFL player? A: Alshon Jeffery. He’s a wide receiver for the Bears. He impacts the offense. Q: Who’s going to win the Super Bowl? A: The Patriots will be a contender from the AFC. The Panthers could make it from the NFC.
DALE BUTLER / The Courier
Senior lineman Erik Mejia will fill a major role while trying to lead Central Valley to its second consecutive playoff appearance. Mejia ranked second in the Western Athletic Conference in sacks (3) and sixth in tackles (38) last season.
Q: Favorite sports movie? A: Friday Night Lights. Q: If you could meet any professional athlete or celebrity, who would it be? A: Kobe Bryant. I’m a Lakers fan. He’s one of the greatest basketball players. Q: Web site you check out every day? A: I’m on Espn.com a lot. Q: Any fears or phobias? A: Spiders. Q: Food you refuse to eat? A: Oysters. Q: Favorite food to eat? A: Sushi.
Q: Favorite TV show? A: Walking Dead. Q: Do you play Pokémon Go? A: It’s a big thing now. I downloaded it and started walking around. It was a lot of fun. Q: Hobbies? A: I like to go camping. Q: Dream job? A: Playing in the NFL. Q: College plans? A: I want to play wherever I can get accepted. It’s been my main goal ever since I was little.
Ceres Football Special Section
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
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CROSSTOWN SHOWDOWN •Central Valley, Ceres High programs to battle on gridiron for 11th time By DAL E BUTLER Sports Editor of the
Ceres (Calif.) Courier
The 11th installment of the Ceres Classic football game, which pits Ceres High against crosstown-rival Central Valley, will be staged at Bulldog Stadium on Nov. 4. “It’s always a big game no matter what year or season,” Bulldogs senior quarterback Chris Lubinsky said. “They’re going to bring it. We’re going to bring it. I can’t wait for it.” Central Valley overcame a slow start and defeated Ceres High 48-14 last fall. Hawk senior Moses Ghiorso totaled 214 yards and four touchdowns on 16 carries versus the Bulldogs. Senior fullback Jamarea Lumpkin rushed for 156 yards and one touchdown on 25 carries. Central Valley’s defense allowed just one touchdown. The Hawks sacked Lubinsky five times. Estevan Barragan collected a team-high seven tackles. Erik Mejia had six tackles and one sack. Jonathan Barragan had five tackles and one sack. Oso Fregoso had four tackles and one sack. David Serrano finished with two tackles and one sack apiece. Down 14-7, Central Valley outscored Ceres High 41-0 during the final three quarters. “It was rough to be so close at halftime and see them pull away,” Lubinsky said. “I expect it to be a lot closer this year. It will be a tough game for four quarters. Hopefully, we have a better outcome. We’ll do everything in our power to try to win that game.” The disappointment of having its season cut short by Ceres High a year earlier served as motivation for Central Valley’s 2015 squad. The Hawks exacted revenge for a stunning 24-7 loss. “We all understand the magnitude of the game,” Lubinsky said. “It’s a big game. It’s going to be an intense game. We have to be sharp in all aspects of our game in order to beat Central Valley.” Bulldog senior receiver Marcellus Boykins will play against the Hawks for the third time. “It’s just another game on the schedule,” he said. “You can’t get caught up in the hype.” Central Valley and Ceres High have faced off 10 times since 2006. The Hawks have won all but two of the meetings, including seven in a row from 2007-13. “That’s a game you always want to win,” Hawks junior strong safety/running back Estevan Barragan said. “There’s a trophy you’re vying for. It should be a fun game to watch.”
Contributed to the Courier
The members of Central Valley’s varsity football team celebrate following last season’s 48-14 victory against crosstown-rival Ceres High. The Hawks scored 41 straight points.
Ceres Football Special Section
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
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BARRAGAN PACKS A PUNCH • CV strong safety enjoys physical nature of game By DAL E BUTLER Sports Editor of the
Ceres (Calif.) Courier
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stevan Barragan pleaded with his parents to allow him to play football at the varsity level last fall. Head coach Scott Edwards had to do some convincing as well. Diminutive in size, the 5-foot-7 sophomore earned a starting spot in Central Valley High School’s secondary and performed like a veteran in 2015. “I was just playing how I always play,” said Estevan, a ball-hawking strong safety. “I didn’t know I led the league in tackles until my defensive coach told me. I was ready for the challenge. They moved me up for a reason—to make plays.”
‘I get overlooked because of my size. That motivates me to do better on the field. ’
–Hawks strong safety/ running back Estevan Barragan Expect more of the same from Barragan during his junior year with the Hawks. “He’s going to be one of our main leaders,” Edwards said. “He’s a leader because he shows everybody else the effort that should be given. He sets the standard. He’s a work horse. Whatever he does, it’s attempted at full speed and 100 percent. He’s no secret anymore. Coaches are going to game plan for him.”
DALE BUTLER/ The Courier
Estevan Barragan racked up a team-leading 103 tackles while starring at strong safety on Central Valley’s varsity football team as a sophomore in 2015. Barragan was selected to the Western Athletic Conference First Team.
Estevan was selected to the 2015 Western Athletic Conference First Team in a vote by the league’s head coaches. He racked up 103 tackles in 10 total games He intercepted two passes. He forced and recovered one fumble. Barragan also had five pass deflections. “From a coaching standpoint, we were surprised at the rate of his success,” Edwards said. “He’s a solid
player that’s fun to coach. You’re never going to question his effort. He’s fast. He’s tough. He’s physical. He’s fearless. Pound-for-pound, he’s one of the strongest kids on the team. With his work ethic, he’ll get better.” “I enjoy playing defense a lot,” Estevan said. “I watch a lot of film. The toughest part is memorizing plays. I’m really good at knowing where the ball is going to go. I love tackling and hitting. I like getting offensive coordinators mad.”
Defense will be Central Valley’s team strength for the second year in a row. The Hawks return eight of 11 starters from a season ago, including Barragan. “It’s my second year varsity,” he said. “Coach Edwards has had faith in me since day one. I got to do way better this year. I need to step up and be a leader. I don’t like talking a lot. When I do talk, my teammates listen. I just want to give everything I got. I want to leave a legacy.”
Estevan will split playing time at running back on offense with older brother Jonathan Barragan and Carlos Rodriguez. The Hawks’ dynamic rushing duo of Moses Ghiorso and Jamarea Lumpkin graduated in June. Ghiorso and Lumpkin combined for 2,516 yards and 35 touchdowns on the ground in 2015. “I’m ready to play on both sides of the ball,” Estevan said. “I’ve been SEE ESTEVAN, PAGE 11
Ceres Football Special Section
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
CATCHING UP WITH #12
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•CHS senior quarterback Chris Lubinsky enjoys playing the most difficult position on field Bulldog Chris Lubinsky blossomed into one of the top quarterbacks in the Stanislaus District last season. Lubinsky totaled 2,677 yards and 26 touchdowns with just eight interceptions while completing 65 percent of his pass attempts. He ranked first in the Western Athletic Conference in yards (1,537), yards per game (256.2) and completions (116), and second in TDs (14) and attempts (178). Chris earned WAC honorable-mention recognition. Chris Lubinsky CERES HIGH Sr. 6-3, 185 QUESTION: This is your second season playing varsity football. You’re going to fill a key role on the team once again. Do you feel any added pressure to perform at a high level? ANSWER: The pressure for me came last year. Having a good season was nice. But you can’t rest on what you did in the past. You have to get better. I want to prove that last year’s success wasn’t a fluke and I’m one of the elite quarterbacks in the area. Q: What have you done over the past couple of months to get ready for the upcoming season? A: Playing for the Valley Got Talent 7on-7 passing team was very beneficial. I got to play against great competition. I’ll be able to dissect things at a faster rate. I also improved my strength and endurance. Q: Have you set any goals for the 2016 season? A: I want to be one of the main catalysts in getting Ceres back into the playoffs. That’s the only goal that matters to me. Q: What do you enjoy most about the sport? A: I’m at my happiest when I’m playing football. I love being the
DALE BUTLER / The Courier
Bulldog second-year quarterback Chris Lubinsky wants to prove that last season’s success wasn’t a fluke. Lubinsky tossed for 2,677 yards and 26 touchdowns with just eight interceptions.
commander on the field. I feel more confident knowing I’m the one in charge. I enjoy the responsibility. I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. If you’re not a great teammate, your teammates won’t follow you. Q: Ceres High hasn’t had a winning record or made the playoffs since 2004. Will this year’s team experience a reversal of fortunes? A: This year, it’s going to be different. We all have the same mindset. We’re looking forward to doing something great and making Ceres proud. We want to restore the winning tradition at Ceres High.
We don’t view it as pressure. It’s an opportunity to make history. I have faith in myself and my teammates. Q: Ceres High has an all-time record of 2-8 versus crosstown-rival Central Valley. Do you have a prediction for this year’s game? A: We all understand the magnitude of the game. It’s a big game. It’s going to be an intense game. It’s the most exciting game of the year. They’re going to bring it. We’re going to bring it. I can’t wait. It was rough to be so close at halftime last year and see them pull away. I expect it to be a lot closer this year.
It will be a tough game for four quarters. We have to be sharp in all aspects of our game in order to beat Central Valley. Q: Do you have a favorite NFL team? A: I have an uncle on the coaching staff of the Los Angeles Rams. I’ll be rooting for them. Q: Who’s your favorite NFL player? A: I’m not a big Raiders guy but I got a lot of respect for (quarterback) Derek Carr. He has such incredible arm strength. He’s had a great two years. I’m excited to see what the
rest of his career holds. Q: Who’s going to win the Super Bowl? A: My pick are the Arizona Cardinals. I just think it’s their time. Each year, they keep progressing. They have a scary offense. They have a great defense. They’re wellrounded. Q: Favorite sports movie? A: Sandlot. Q: If you could meet any professional athlete or celebrity, who would it be? A: He’s retired now, but I’d love to spend a day with Peyton Manning and go through a full day of practice with him. He’s the best and smartest quarterback I’ve seen. Q: Web site you check out every day? A: I watch game film on Hudl. com every single day. Q: Any fears or phobias? A: High altitudes. Q: Food you refuse to eat? A: Anything spicy. Q: Favorite food to eat? A: Nothing beats getting a burger and fries from In-N-Out. Q: Favorite TV show? A: Sportscenter. Q: Do you play Pokémon Go? A: I don’t have any interest it in. I’m around a lot of people that enjoy it. Q: Hobbies? A: Chess. Checkers. Connect Four. I’ve always liked playing board games. I love competition. Q: Dream job? A: I’d love to move to Oregon or Washington and be a high school P.E. teacher and football coach. Q: College plans? A: Football has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. It could help pay for my education after high school. I definitely want to play somewhere. I know I have the capability and skillset to compete at the next level.
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Ceres Football Special Section
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2016 • Returning all-conference players Nick Jones, David Serrano to be major contributors once again By DAL E BUTLER Sports Editor of the
Ceres (Calif.) Courier
1. Second-year quarterback Chris Lubinsky should have another standout season with Ceres High. Lubinsky totaled 2,677 yards and 26 touchdowns with just eight interceptions while completing 65 percent of his pass attempts last fall. He ranked first in the Western Athletic Conference in yards (1,537), yards per game (256.2) and completions (116), and second in TDs (14) and attempts (178). Chris was an honorable-mention WAC selection. 2. Estevan Barragan earned WAC first-team honors for his outstanding play in 2015. Just a sophomore, Central Valley’s fearless 5-foot-7 strong safety racked up 103 tackles, two interceptions, five pass deflections, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. Estevan tied for first place in conference play in tackles (59). Barragan will be counted upon on both defense and offense (running back) this season. 3. Third-year varsity player Marcellus Boykins will be Ceres High’s go-to receiver this season. Boykins
was selected to the WAC First Team his sophomore year. He caught 29 passes for 464 yards and three touchdowns. He totaled 535 yards and one TD on 44 receptions last fall. 4. Senior Erik Mejia will be a twoway lineman for the Hawks. Mejia earned first-team all-WAC honors as a junior. He registered 66 tackles, collected five sacks and forced one fumble. Mejia ranked second in league play in sacks (3) and sixth in tackles (38). 5. Ceres High senior Nick Jones will start at cornerback for the second straight season. Jones ranked third in the WAC in interceptions (2) last year. He also had 16 tackles and six pass deflections. Nick received second-team all-WAC recognition for his stellar play. Jones caught two passes for 48 yards and two TDs at receiver. 6. David Serrano had a productive first season at Central Valley his sophomore year. Serrano, a defensive lineman, tallied 69 tackles, four sacks, two pass deflections, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. David was a second-team SEE TALENT, PAGE 11
DALE BUTLER / The Courier
Andrew Gibson wil make his debut with Ceres High’s varsity football team this season. He was the Bulldogs’ leading rusher and receiver at the JV level last year. He gained 667 yards and scored nine touchdowns on 80 carries. He caught 18 passes for 322 yards and five TDs.
The Ceres Courier
wishes our hometown teams success! Your Ceres hometown news connection since 1910! The Ceres Courier • P.O. Box 7 • Ceres CA 95307 138 S. Center Street • Turlock CA • (209) 537-5032 Fax: (209) 632-8813 • www.cerescourier.com
Ceres Football Special Section
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
CHS ROSTER
CV ROSTER 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 33 34 35 42 44 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 62 63 64 66 76 77 78 80 84 88 89
Gabe Campos Efrain Garcia Ryan Hendrix Miguel Jimenez Jonny Velasquez Phil Jackson Chase Winchester Nasson Sanchez Angel Lopez Nathan Ieng Julian Gutierrez Andres Velasquez Cory Cantaloube Willie Soriano Trenton Craig Jonathan Barragan Carlos Rodriguez Luis Ramirez Brandon Senseney James Murphy Carlos Vergara Ryan Miceli Angel Rico Estevan Barragan Adrian Barriga Jacob Guerrero Gerardo Solorzano Adrian Espinoza Brad Oliver Gabriel Quezada Raquesh Hernandez Jesus Villa Daniel Germann Carlos Fregoso Tyler Beckhart Eduardo Tovar Brandon Kearney Reggie Seals Erik Mejia Roman Ortiz Elias Lujan Cipriano Salazar Rocky Fisher Abel Velasquez David Serrano David Lezama Alejandro Saucedo Josh Barrita Jordan Ary Anibal Duran
1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 16 20 21 23 30 31 32 33 34 41 44 45 46 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 60 61 63 65 67 68 70 71 72 74 76 78 82 83 84 95 99
Austin Crain Wyatt Ogden Elijah Niblett Gerardo Delgado Israel Oregel Marcellus Boykins Conner Johnson Jorge Tiscareno Zyier Harrison Alberto Carranza Chris Lubinsky Nick Jones Johnny Hutson Cody Carpenter Daniel Hadwick Andrew Gibson Zach Baker Adrian Knights Jamal Ofisa Shanald Lal Christian Vasquez Andrue Olvera Angel Vega Ryan Hood Steven Brown Francisco Mondragon Cristofer De la Riva Arturo Barajas Eddie Chavez David Caravalho Caden Hoback Angel Flores Jaime Topete Alejandro Rios Eric Espinosa Clayton Elness Demetrio Heredia Jorge Valenzuela Fernando Salgado Darshwak Dhami Jonathan Ochoa Jacob Langan Aiden Moore Joe Aguilera Lucas Walker Angelo Marino Julian Lopez Isaac Santana Eric Davis Jeremiah Bailey
MARCELLUS
FROM PAGE 3
either. The Bulldogs have dropped eight of 10 meetings to the Hawks. “It’s just another game on the schedule,” Boykins said. “You can’t get caught up in the hype. Every game is important. It brings you closer to your goal. I feel like playoffs are a possibility with the schedule we have and the pieces we have. It’s going to come down to execution, mental toughness and heart.” Boykins will be Ceres High’s go-to receiver this fall. Marcellus will replace Austin Stiles, who was lost to graduation. Stiles totaled 1,015 yards and 14 TDs on 64 receptions a year ago. “I like being thrust into a leadership role,” he said. “It gives me a lot of responsibility. I’m ready for it. I want to make an impact. I’ve been trying to get my body right. I’m lifting. I’m working on the little things that will help me get open on Friday nights. I’m working on my footwork, speed and agility. I’m working on my route running. I’m making sure my hand-eye coordination is good. I’m working harder than I have in any season for any sport. The pressure is on. I have to be able to perform and do what I can for my team.” Boykins will team up with Bulldog senior Chris Lubinsky for the second straight season. Marcellus and Chris could make up one of the top receiver-quarterback combinations in the Stanislaus District. Boykins hauled in 44 passes for 535 yards and one touchdown during his junior year.
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“It’s great having a quarterback like Chris,” Boykins said. “He’s really talented and smart. He’s always working and watching film. He’s a lot more confident now. He’s matured quite a bit. In order for us to have a good season, we’re going to have to put up great numbers.” “He (Marcellus) has the athletic ability to put up numbers similar to Austin,” Lubinsky added. “He’s an explosive playmaker.” Boykins will also play a key role on defense. He started at cornerback the past two seasons. “We’ll put the best 11 players on the field,” Boykins said. “I don’t know what the coaches are planning. I want to play defense again. I don’t want to be off the field. Pressure brings out the best in some people.” Boykins is optimistic the Bulldogs will enjoy their best season to date since 2004. Ceres High will look to end its 11-year playoff drought. The Bulldogs posted a 3-7 overall record and placed fifth in the 2015 WAC standings (2-4). “I don’t feel words can describe how bad I want it and my team wants it,” Boykins said. “We want to change the program at Ceres High School. There are so many parts that have to come together to be successful. When we get hit by adversity, we have to fight through it.” The Bulldogs will open the 2016 campaign at home this Friday. Ceres High will play host to the Weston Ranch Cougars. Kickoff slated for 7 p.m. “I looked at our schedule,” Boykins said. “I think we can beat any team we play in the preseason. It’s extremely important for the team morale. You don’t want to dig yourself a hole.”
Third-year receiver/ cornerback Marcellus Boykins is optimistic the Bulldogs will enjoy their best season to date since 2004 this fall. DALE BUTLER/ The Courier
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Ceres Football Special Section
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
TOUGH COMPETITION
•Bulldogs, Hawks
modify schedules due to realignment By DAL E BUTLER Sports Editor of the
Ceres (Calif.) Courier
Ceres High’s and Central Valley’s varsity football programs both had to add a fifth game to their preseason schedules because Western Athletic Conference-rival El Capitan relocated to the Central California Conference. The Hawks will face Atwater, Sierra, Grace Davis, Enochs and West in non-conference play. “Our schedule got more difficult,” Central Valley head coach Scott Edwards said. “We took a
step up. I’m fine with that. You want competitive games you feel can go either way. It will prepare us for league.” The Bulldogs will play Weston Ranch, East Union, Hughson, Johansen and Atwater. “As a group, we’re a lot better this year on both sides of the ball,” Ceres High senior cornerback/ receiver Nick Jones said. “We’re faster and more athletic. We’ll be a big surprise to everyone.” The 2016 meeting between Ceres High and Johansen on Sept. 16 in Modesto will be an interesting matchup. The two teams combined for 83 points a year ago as the Bulldogs held on for a 47-36 victory. Ceres High quarterback quarterback Chris Lubinsky totaled 338 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. Host Johansen has a new offensive coordinator in 1989 Ceres
High grad Donnie Donaldson. Donaldson propelled the Bulldogs to an appearance in the SacJoaquin Section Division-II championship game in 1988. He threw for 254 yards and scored once on the ground as Ceres High suffered a heart-breaking 14-12 loss to Los Banos. Donaldson was inducted into the Bulldogs’ Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008. “Johansen’s offense might be a lot different from last year,” Jones said. “They might be more explosive. I bet they’ll be tougher. We got new guys on defense, too. It will be exciting to see what they throw at us.” Central Valley will battle its founding head coach in Tim Garcia and Grace Davis on Sept. 9 at Ceres High. Garcia directed the Hawks from 2006-11. “I got a lot of respect for Tim,”
We Support our Local Athletics!
Edwards said. “We go way back. I recruited him to the University of Mary where he was a recordsetting quarterback and hall of famer. He was 2-0 against me when he was at Central Valley and I coached at Bret Harte.” Added Hawks junior strong safety/running back Estevan Barragan: “I know they really want to beat us for their coach. We’ll be ready to play them. We’ll be focused.” Central Valley will begin the Western Athletic Conference portion of its schedule with a home game versus Livingston (Oct. 7). The Hawks’ other four league opponents are Los Banos (Oct. 14), Pacheco (Oct. 21), Patterson (Oct. 28) and Ceres High (Nov. 4). “It’s a solid conference,” Edwards said. “You have to play better preseason teams to get ready for it.” Said Central Valley senior line-
man Erik Mejia: “I feel we can be one of the best teams in the WAC.” Ceres High’s WAC schedule features games against Los Banos, Patterson, Livingston, Pacheco and Central Valley. Patterson (6-0), Central Valley (5-1) and Pacheco (4-2) advanced to the postseason in 2015. Los Banos (3-3), Ceres High (2-4), El Capitan (1-5) and Livingston (0-6) placed fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively. Ceres High must strengthen its defense. The Bulldogs were outscored 433-301 in 2015. “We all know we have the offense to score,” Jones said. “We can’t win games if we don’t have a solid defense. It has nothing to do with coaching. We just have to execute and tackle. I don’t want to get beat. That’s my motivation.”
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Ceres Football Special Section
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
ESTEVAN
11
CV SCHEDULE
FROM PAGE 6
TALENT FROM PAGE 8 all-conference pick. Serrano ranked second in the WAC in sacks (3) and seventh in tackles (36). 7. Bulldog senior Conner Johnson will contribute at tight end for the third year in a row. He hauled in 30 passes for 254 yards and one touchdown as a junior. Johnson was selected to the WAC Second Team. Conner totaled 14 receptions, 180 yards and one TD in 2014. 8. Central Valley will rely on multiple running backs this season
Aug. 26 @ Atwater, 7 p.m. Sept. 2 @ Sierra, 7 p.m. Sept. 9 v. Grace Davis, 7 p.m. Sept. 16 v. Enochs, 7 p.m. Sept. 23 @ West, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 7 v. Livingston, 7 p.m. Oct. 14 @ Los Banos, 7 p.m. Oct. 21 @ Pacheco, 7 p.m. Oct. 28 v. Patterson, 7 p.m. Nov. 4 v. Ceres High, 7 p.m. DALE BUTLER / The Courier
Hawk junior Estevan Barragan will start at strong safety for the second straight season. He’ll contribute at running back on offense.
focused and not get overconfident. We can’t mess around. You have to be ready for every team. You can’t overlook teams because of their records.” Barragan has already silenced
plenty of critics with his hard-nosed, 100-mile-per-hour play. “I get overlooked because of my size,” he said. “That motivates me to do better on the field. Size doesn’t matter. It’s all about heart.”
as Hawk standouts Moses Ghiorso and Jamarea Lumpkin were both lost to graduation. Senior Jonathan Barragan will begin the season as CV’s starter. Barragan rushed for 156 yards and one touchdown on 39 carries last fall. Jonathan will contribute at strong safety on defense. He collected 28 tackles, registered one sack and forced one fumble a year ago. Barragn was promoted to varsity as a sophomore. 9. Ceres High junior Andrew Gibson will log playing time on both offense and defense during his first season of varsity football. Gibson starred at the JV level a year ago.
He was the Bulldogs’ leading rusher and receiver. He gained 667 yards and scored nine touchdowns on 80 carries. He caught 18 passes for 322 yards and five TDs. 10. Senior Oso Fregoso returns for a third season of varsity football. The senior defensive end/outside linebacker accumulated 54 tackles, four sacks, one fumble recovery and one pass deflection his junior year. Fregoso had eight tackles in 11thseeded Central Valley’s 31-28 loss to No. 6 Manteca in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III playoffs.
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CHS SCHEDULE Aug. 26 v. Weston Ranch, 7 p.m. Sept. 2 v. East Union, 7 p.m. Sept. 9 @ Hughson, 7 p.m. Sept. 16 @ Johansen, 7 p.m. Sept. 23 v. Atwater, 7 p.m. Oct. 7 @ Los Banos, 7 p.m. Oct. 14 v. Patterson, 7 p.m. Oct. 21 v. Livingston, 7 p.m. Oct. 28 @ Pacheco, 7 p.m. Nov. 4 @ Central Valley, 7 p.m.
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waiting for this opportunity.” “His primary role is still going to be defense,” Edwards said. “He wants to play offense badly. He’s an athlete that provides depth at the running back position. No matter how we’re going to use him, he’s going to be a force.” The Barragan siblings will be teammates for the second straight season. “My brother is my workout partner,” Estevan said. “We always push each other. We both want to see each other do well. I feel like he’s going to have a great season this year.” Central Valley posted a programbest 7-4 overall record last fall. The Hawks experienced one of their most productive seasons to date by finishing second overall in the WAC standings (5-1) and qualifying for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs for the second time. “I know we can make playoffs again,” Estevan said. “I know we can win league. We’re trying to make history. We just have to stay
12
Ceres Football Special Section
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
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