LATHROP — After a slow start Friday night, Lathrop got untracked to dominate Ceres 30-14 at Bennie Gatto Field for the first Spartans’ win of the year and first in the Western Athletic Conference.
Lathrop (1-0 WAC, 1-3 overall) more than doubled the Bulldogs (0-1, 0-4) in total offense, 357-158, and nearly doubled Ceres in offensive plays, 69-39.
“It’s nice to get a win under our belt and to be 1-0 in league,” Spartans coach Joe Pirillo said. “But it’s back to work on Monday to prepare for Pacheco.”
The Bulldogs carried a 7-0 lead into the second quarter, but from that point on it was all Lathrop. Sebastian Iniguez (23 carries, 128 yards) got his first of three touchdowns with a 3-yard run, and Justin Manuel gave the Spartans a 13-7 halftime lead.
After Lathrop forced a safety in the third period, the Spartans scored two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter on a pair of 1-yard runs by Iniguez.
Isaac Ramos had a phenomenal 8.9 yards-per-carry average for Lathrop, picking up 133 yards on 15 carries.
Felipe Renteria made seven tackles for the Spartans. Adrian Corona added six stops, Iniguez five and Marcos Mota made an interception.

SCORING SUMMARY
Ceres     7  0   0   7 — 14
Lathrop  0 13 2 15 — 30
 
First quarter
C  – Fernando Sosa 10 pass from Felipe Martinez (kick fail).
 
Second quarter
L – Sebastian Iniguez 3 run (kick fail).
L – Justin Manuel 1 run (Jesus Fierros kick).
 
Third quarter
L – Safety, Ceres fumble in end zone.
 
Fourth quarter
L – Iniguez 1 run (Marcos Mota pass from Jose Espinosa).
L – Iniguez 1 run (Fierros kick).
C – Andrew Alcala 3 run (kick good).