Ceres High’s new-look girls flag football program plans to maintain its tradition of excellence this fall.

The Bulldogs lost 11 of 16 players from last year’s team to graduation, including all-Western Athletic Conference performers Lilly Staggs, Sovannary Carter, Gabriella Ortiz, Presley Vierra and Mariah Renteria.

“We’ve created a winning culture here,” head coach Curtis Hulstine said. “The girls understand the standard. They’re trying to live up to it.”

Ceres High will rely on 16 players this season, including Samantha Alcarez (Sr., wide receiver/running back/rusher), Alyssa Arbaugh (Sr., defensive back), Maria Bravo (Sr., wide receiver/running back/defensive back), Camila Felix-Ochoa (Sr., linebacker), Maya Galvan (Sr., kicker/linebacker), Jayden Garcia (Sr., wide receiver/running back/defensive back), Jackie Guillory (Sr., center), Daisy Leon (Sr., wide receiver/running back/rusher/linebacker), Yaresly Lopez (Sr., linebacker/kicker), Avondra Terrones (Sr., linebacker), Jazlyn Cisneros (Jr., rusher), Gabriella Cole (Jr., wide receiver/running back/quarterback/defensive back), Haley Iniguez (Jr., wide receiver/running back/linebacker), Abigail Schultz (Jr., wide receiver/running back/defensive back), Mezmeriah Zuniga (Jr., center/rusher) and Evelyn Sciosciole (Fr., quarterback/defensive back).

Bravo, Garcia, Leon and Cole returners.

Alcarez, Arbaugh, Felix-Ochoa, Galvan, Guillory, Lopez, Terrones, Cisneros, Iniguez, Schultz, Zuniga and Sciosciole are newcomers.

“We have a young team this year,” Hulstine said. They’re really buying into what we have going on. They’re going to continue to get better. We’re excited to see what they can do.”

Leon and Garcia both earned WAC honors last season.

Leon was a second-team, all-league pick.

She had 15 flag pulls, 12 sacks and five interceptions while logging playing time at linebacker and defensive back.

Garcia was an honorable-mention selection.

She contributed at wide receiver and linebacker.

Leon and Bravo have been named team captains.

“They have the most experience on the team,” Hulstine said. “They’ve been a part of our program for four and three years, respectively.

Sciosciole will lead Ceres High’s revamped offense.

The freshman follows in the footsteps of past Bulldog standout quarterbacks Vierra, Maddie Schultz and Marissa Renteria.

Vierra amassed 3,396 yards and 50 touchdowns while starring at QB during her final season with the Bulldogs.

She was named to the WAC Second Team.

“Evelyn has played flag football before,” Hulstine said. “She’s got experience. She’s able to handle the pressure of the position. She’s an amazing athlete. Her speed is one of her strengths. For being so young, she has a healthy amount of confidence.”

Sciosciole solidified her spot as Ceres High’s starting quarterback during the offseason.

“We figured out who she was during the summer,” Hulstine said. “It was clear she’d be the starter once the season started. She’s one heck of an athlete. She can play anywhere on the field. She reminds me of Marissa.”

The Bulldogs also graduated their top two receivers in Staggs and Carter.

Staggs was voted the WAC’s Offensive Player of the Year last fall.

She totaled 1,051 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Carter was selected to the WAC First Team.

She had 685 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Sciosciole will target Garcia, Bravo, Leon and Cole this season.

“We got four really good receivers,” Hulstine said.

Ceres High will be vying for its fourth-consecutive winning season this fall.

“We’ve had a pretty good run,” Hulstine said. “We’ve created a small, little legacy. I give all of the credit to the student-athletes.”

The Bulldogs posted a 16-8 overall record, placed second in the WAC standings with an 11-3 mark and bested one of two opponents in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III playoffs a year ago.

Ceres High improved its head-to-head record versus crosstown-rival Central Valley to 4-1. The Bulldogs appeared headed for a blowout loss before rallying from a three-score deficit during their 21-19 win over the Hawks on the final day of the 2025 regular season.

Ninth-seeded Ceres High lost 45-26 at eventual-champion/top-seeded Christian Brothers during their quarterfinal matchup in the playoffs.

Ceres High upset eighth-seeded Vanden 31-13 in the opening round.

The Bulldogs compiled a program-best 18-3 record, claimed the WAC title (7-0) and qualified for the Division-I playoffs during their inaugural season of girls flag football in 2023.

“We have a lot of players that are athletes,” Hulstine said. “We have to work on making them a team. Once we do that, we’ll compete for a league title and playoff berth.”