Ceres High’s girls flag football program continued its winning tradition this fall.
The Bulldogs beat one of two opponents while reaching the quarterfinals of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III playoffs last week.
“I’m super happy with this team,” head coach Curtis Hulstine said. “They’re an amazing group of young ladies. I was very lucky to be able to coach them.”
Ceres High amassed a 16-8 overall record, finished in second place in the Western Athletic Conference standings with an 11-3 mark and qualified for the playoffs for the third year in a row.
The Bulldogs also improved their head-to-head record versus the crosstown-rival Hawks to 4-1. Ceres High appeared headed for a blowout loss before rallying from a three-score deficit during its 21-19 win over Central Valley on the final day of the 2025 regular season.
“They exceeded my expectations,” Hulstine said. “They continued to hold up the standard.”
Ninth-seeded Ceres High lost 45-26 at eventual-champion/top-seeded Christian Brothers in the quarterfinals on Nov. 3.
The Falcons ended the Bulldogs’ 2024 season with a 37-20 win in the first round of the Division-II playoffs.
“We knew it was going to be a tough match,” Hulstine said. “They have a great program. They’re well-coached.”
Ceres High first-year quarterback Presley Vierra had four touchdown passes against Christian Brothers this past week, including two to Sovannary Carter and one to Jayden Garcia and Lilly Staggs.
The Bulldogs never recovered after allowing 32 straight points to start the game.
“We came out a little flat,” Hulstine said. “We couldn’t get anything going.”
Ceres High continued to battle as it reeled off 20 points during the opening 12 minutes of the second half.
“We played our best in the third quarter,” Hulstine said. “We showed what we’re capable of.”
Ceres High upset eighth-seeded Vanden 31-13 in the opening round of the playoffs on Oct. 29.
The Bulldogs will lose 11 players to graduation, including Vierra, Carter, Staggs, Elizabeth Boyd, Jolissa Guillory, Brisa Juarez, Adalene Luna, Gabriella Ortiz, Amaia Pritchett, Mariah Renteria and Genesis Rodriguez.
“I’m sad to see those girls go,” Hulstine said. “They’re a part of history. We got great student-athletes at Ceres High School. We’re going to continue to uphold the high standard.”
Ceres High has accomplished a lot during its three-year history despite relying on three different starting quarterbacks, including Vierra, Madeline Schultz (2024) and Marissa Renteria (2023).
A dual-threat QB, Renteria totaled 2,161 yards and 34 touchdowns on her way to being named Most Valuable Player of the WAC senior year. She also had 16 interceptions on defense for the Bulldogs, who finished 18-3, claimed the WAC championship (7-0) and advanced to the semifinals of the Division-I playoffs.
Schultz totaled 3,028 yards and 45 touchdowns during the 2024 regular season. The first-team all-WAC quarterback led Ceres High to a 13-9 overall record, third-place finish in league (10-4) and Division-II playoff appearance.
The Bulldogs will be vying for their fourth straight winning season next fall.
“We’re excited to get back to the drawing board,” Hulstine said.
