Ceres High’s girls flag football team will compete with a new-look roster this fall as 10 players were lost to graduation.
Head coach Curtis Hulstine refuses to lower expectations for a program that experienced a wealth of success during its first two years of existence.
“The future is bright for this team,” he said. “We have a ton of talent. We have to learn how to play together as a team and to our strengths.”
The Bulldogs have a 16-person roster.
Ceres High returns just four players from a season ago, including Sovannary Carter (Sr.), Gabriella Ortiz (Sr.), Mariah Renteria (Sr.) and Lilly Staggs (Sr.).
The Bulldogs have 12 newcomers: Elizabeth Boyd (Sr.), Jolissa Guillory (Sr.), Brisa Juarez (Sr.), Adalene Luna (Sr.), Amaia Pritchett (Sr.), Genesis Rodriguez (Sr.), Presley Vierra (Sr.), Savannah Weese (Sr.), Maria Bravo (Jr.), Jayden Garcia (Jr.), Daisy Leon (Jr.) and Briona Bravo (Fr.)
Ceres High graduated 10 players in June, including Madeline Schultz, Emily Esparza, Joselin Ruiz, Nehemiah Valenzuela, Kylie Bond, America Lara, Alexa Rocha, Illiana Saldana, Alyssa Santillanes and Briana Tsurui.
Staggs and Renteria both represented the Bulldogs at the Second Annual Merced County All-Star Girls Flag Football Game in June.
Staggs was also selected to the Western Athletic Conference First Team for her outstanding play.
Staggs, a receiver, totaled 901 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior.
Carter earned second-team all-conference accolades as a junior.
The standout receiver totaled 547 yards and five touchdowns.
Renteria was an honorable-mention WAC selection as a junior.
Renteria, a receiver, totaled 472 yards and 10 touchdowns.
“We have a lot of athletes on the team,” Hulstine said.
Ceres High and other flag football programs throughout the state had to modify their offensive playbooks due to the Sac-Joaquin Section implementing rule changes for the 2025 season to closer align with National Federation of State High School Associations guidelines.
There are currently 14 states that have sanctioned flag football as sport. The California Interscholastic Federation, going into year three with flag football, saw a whopping 84 percent increase in participation from 2023 to 2024.
Among the biggest gameplay changes is the neutral zone shrinking from 7 yards to 1 yard. But the number of legal pass rushers has increased. Now, all seven defensive players may pressure the quarterback. Only two rushers were previously allowed.
“This year is a fresh start because of the new rules and look of the team,” Hulstine said. “It’s a different game but we got to figure it out. We’ll have to be a little more methodical (on offense). Player development is also huge.”
Ceres High plans to maintain its run of excellence.
The Bulldogs posted a 13-9 overall record, finished in third place in the league standings with a 10-4 mark and qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-II playoffs in 2024.
Ceres High amassed an 18-3 record, claimed the WAC title (7-0) and reached the semifinals of the D-I postseason tournament during its inaugural campaign.
“We’re trying to build a winning culture at Ceres High School,” Hulstine said. “There’s some responsibility to carry on that success.”
The Bulldogs’ conference schedule includes home-and-away contests versus the Central Valley Hawks, Beyer Patriots, Grace Davis Spartans, Johansen Vikings, Livingston Wolves, Pacheco Panthers and Lathrop Spartans.
Livingston (14-0) claimed the WAC title last season.
Lathrop (12-2) and Central Valley (7-7) finished second and fourth, respectively.
The top three teams in the WAC will be awarded playoff berths.
“I think we have the ability to be a playoff team this year,” Hulstine said. “With the new rules, anyone can emerge as a contender. It’s up for grabs.”
“We always have a target on our backs,” he added. “Everyone wants to beat us.”
Ceres High will strive to keep its perfect record intact against crosstown-rival Central Valley.
The Bulldogs won the previous three meetings.
Ceres High prevailed by scores of 43-20 and 36-12 in 2024. The Bulldogs won the first meeting, 38-12, in 2023.
“It’s always going to be competitive because of the rivalry,” Hulstine said.
Manteca Bulletin Reporter Jonamar Jacinto contributed to this report.
