Ceres High’s Madeline Schultz, Lilly Staggs and Mariah Renteria teamed up with crosstown-rival Central Valley’s Ayleen Apreza at the Second Annual Merced County All-Star Girls Flag Football Game last month.

Schultz, Staggs, Renteria, Apreza and the Blue team earned a hard-fought 35-30 win while battling the Gold Team on June 14 at Golden Valley High School.

“It was exciting to team up,” Bulldogs’ leader/Blue team head coach Curtis Hulstine said. “We represented the city as a whole.”

Schultz, a senior, logged playing time at receiver and center. She caught four passes for 43 yards and one touchdown. She also accounted for one extra point.

“It was nice to see her lace up and play one last time,” Hulstine said.

Staggs and Renteria both contributed at receiver. Staggs, a junior, totaled 73 yards and one touchdown on three receptions.

“She did awesome,” Hulstine said.

Renteria, a junior, hauled three passes for 27 yards. She also had one extra point.

“She did amazing,” Hulstine said.

Apreza, a freshman, had two pass breakups while starting at cornerback.

“She did a great job,” Hulstine said. “It was really impressive to see someone that young out there. She’s got a lot of speed. It’s really fun to watch.”

“She played like she was an upperclassmen,” Central Valley head coach Tony Cordova added.

Hulstine improved his coaching record to 2-0 in the all-star game.

He served as head coach this season.

He called offensive plays as the Blue team edged the Gold team 20-12 during the inaugural showcase contest.

The Blue team trailed 18-15 at halftime of the second meeting.

“We had a couple big stops on defense,” Hulstine said. “That gave our offense more opportunities and we capitalized on those opportunities.”

Schultz, Staggs, Renteria and Apreza were invited to participate in the Merced County All-Star Game after earning Western Athletic Conference honors this past fall.

“It’s a big deal,” Cordova. “Ayleen was the only freshman on the team.

“It was really special to see them get honored,” Hulstine added. “They worked hard during the year.”

Schultz, Staggs and Apreza were selected to the Western Athletic Conference First Team.

At tryouts, Ayleen was quiet and reserved,” Cordova said. “Within the first few practices, she made a big impact on the team. She had the ability to compete at the varsity level.”

“She turned into a really confident player,” he added. “Her hands are amazing. What she can do after she catches the football is second to none. She can move.”

Renteria was an honorable-mention pick.

Led by Schultz, Staggs and Renteria, Ceres High posted a 10-4 record on its way to a third-place finish in the WAC this past fall.

“We had a lot of young girls on the team,” Hulstine said. “They set the standard--being a good teammate, being accountable and working hard.”

Central Valley experienced a major turnaround during the season thanks in large part to Apreza’s play.

The Hawks (7-7) placed fourth in the conference standings.

Central Valley won just two league games during its inaugural season of girls flag football in 2023.

“Ayleen has that drive to make her team and herself better,” Cordova said.