Ceres High’s and Central Valley’s girls flag football teams opened the 2026 season earlier this month.
The new-look Bulldogs won two of their first four games.
“There were high highs and low lows,” Ceres High head coach Curtis Hulstine said. “It’s the preseason. We’re rebuilding and trying to set the foundation.”
Freshman Evelyn Sciosciole made her debut at quarterback with the Bulldogs.
“She’s doing a great job,” Hulstine said. “She’s really athletic. She’s learning how to make better decisions.”
Ceres High shut out Riverbank 34-0 on Aug. 19 at Bulldog Stadium.
“It shows what these girls are capable of if they play as a team,” Hulstine said.
Downey edged Ceres High 18-12 on Aug. 20 in Modesto.
“To lose in overtime is tough,” Hulstine said. “It was a very physical game. The girls showed how competitive they can be.”
Host Ceres High lost 13-0 to Modesto High on Aug. 24.
“Our defense did awesome,” Hulstine said.
Visiting Ceres High earned a 15-0 win while battling Oakdale on Aug. 26.
The Bulldogs could have scored more points against the Mustangs.
“The girls are working hard,” Hulstine said. “We just have to work on consistency.”
The Hawks bested one of their first six opponents.
“Most of the girls played JV last year,” Central Valley head coach Tony Cordova said. “A lot of them are starting to understand the playbook. They’re getting better and more confident.”
Central Valley won one of three games at the Merced Tournament on Aug. 22.
The Hawks put up a fight in losing 20-13 to Buhach Colony.
Ayleen Apreza rushed for 65 yards and two touchdowns on six carries.
Monster Prudhel completed 8 of 18 passes for 77 yards.
Mekenzie Buenrostro caught seven passes for 92 yards.
Apreza and Buenrostro led Central Valley’s defense with one interception apiece.
Central earned its first victory of the season with a 20-6 win over Madera South.
Apreza ran for 129 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries.
Buenrostro gained 22 yards and scored one touchdown on two carries.
Nelmarie Diaz completed 10 of 11 passes for 32 yards and rushed for 21 yards on four carries.
Julianna Hernandez totaled four flag pulls, one sack and one interception on defense.
Alicia Torres and Vianney Gutierrez both had one interception.
Hailey Coppola had one sack.
Central Valley rallied from a three-score deficit before falling 24-18 to Enochs in overtime.
Prudhel completed 12 of 17 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns.
Buenrostro caught eight passes for 134 yards and one touchdown. She also had one rushing TD.
Alexa Palacios caught two passes for 35 yards and one touchdown.
Prudhel and Divina Velazquez each had one interception.
Central Valley lost 14-6 to Atwater while hosting a game for the first time at its newly-opened athletic stadium on Aug. 24.
“It was exciting seeing the field lit up under the lights,” Cordova said. “It was pretty cool.”
Prudhel and Buenrostro accounted for the Hawks’ first-ever TD at Central Valley’s new stadium.
Prudhel completed 9 of 22 passes for 87 yards and one touchdown.
Buenrostro caught two passes for 22 yards and one touchdown.
Apreza carried the ball 10 times for 90 yards.
Torres had eight flag pulls and one interception.
Buenrostro had five flag pulls and two interceptions.
Hernandez had four flag pulls and one sack.
Annabelle Gomez had three flag pulls and one interception.
Central Valley competed shorthanded while losing 49-20 at Sierra on Aug. 25.
Prudhel completed 9 of 20 passes for 85 yard and two touchdowns.
Buenrostro caught three passes for 49 yards and two touchdowns.
Diaz rushed for 86 yards and one touchdown and completed 5 of 16 passes for 29 yards.
Gomez had a team-high six flag pulls.
Merced defeated Central Valley 58-12 on Aug. 27 in Ceres.
Diaz completed 12 of 23 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 67 yards on seven carries.
Buenrostro caught four passes for 86 yards and one touchdown.
Pearl Ramirez had a 9-yard TD reception.
Garcia had nine flag pulls.
Torres had seven flag pulls.
Buenrostro and Garcia each had four flag pulls.
