Ceres Bulldogs

Coach: Bret Durosette

Career record: 3-7

Record at school: 3-7

Last year: Ceres (3-7, 2-4) provided a stunner by beating playoff-bound Livingston 37-20 in Week 7, but it gave up a total of 189 points in the two games prior to and following that win. It also gave up 69 to Downey, so defense was its big issue. Last league title: 2004

Last playoff berth: 2004

Coaching staff: Bill Curtiss, Brandon Moring, Brett Johnson

Top returners: QB Blake Hurst, WR Caden Johnson, RB/LB Devon Ruger, RB Jorge Arroya, TE Damin Underwood, OL Lucas Silva, OL Austin Moore, OL Zarco Osvaldo, OL/LB Jacob Craig.

Top newcomers: WR Dylan Canatsy (jr.), WR Luis Arroya (jr.), OL/LB Pietro Pudacay (jr.).

Outlook: The Bulldogs are thin on numbers, but they have high hopes for Hurst (1,500 yards passing) and a passing attack that includes Johnson, Canatsy and Ruger. Hurst hurt his knee during Ceres’ scrimmage, and that could be a point of concern for Ceres. … Durosette will have a new defensive unit, so he’s counting on Jorge Arroya to provide some ball control on offense with his running.

Key game: Week 5 (Sept. 21) at Pacheco. Winning its WAC opener would be an emotional boost for the Bulldogs, who follow this game with Central Catholic and Los Banos.