Lilly Staggs accomplished a lot while starring on Ceres High’s girls flag football team the past two seasons.
Staggs put the finishing touches on her prep athletic career at the Third Annual Merced County All-Star Game.
Staggs helped lead the Blue Team to a 24-21 win over the Gold Team on June 13 at Golden Valley High School’s Veteran’s Stadium.
“I got to show my talent one last time,” she said. “Going against other competition was really fun. Being on the winning side was really cool.”
Staggs hauled in one touchdown pass while logging playing time at receiver.
She accounted for the Blue Team’s third TD.
Staggs’ 10-yard touchdown reception turned a two-point deficit into an 18-14 lead with 6:51 remaining in the third quarter.
The Blue Team dashed the Gold Team’s comeback attempt by forcing a turnover on downs on fourth-and-goal late in the game.
“When the clock hit zero, we got on the field and we got to hold the trophy,” Staggs said.
Rivals during the regular season, Staggs and Central Valley’s Alicia Espinoza, Giana Breshears and Ayleen Apreza teamed up at the All-Star Game in Merced.
“It was really fun being on the same team as them,” Staggs said. “We get along. There was a lot of good talent out there. Everybody had great energy. Everyone was passionate about the game. It was really fun.”
Staggs enjoyed playing in the Merced County All-Star Girls Flag Football Game for the second year in a row.
She caught one touchdown pass in the Blue Team’s 35-30 victory against the Gold Team last summer.
“Getting picked for the second time means something,” Staggs said. “It shows I worked hard.”
Ceres High’s Sovannary Carter also earned an invitation to the Merced County All-Star Game. She couldn’t play in the contest due to another commitment.
Staggs and Carter suited up for opposite teams at the 29th Annual Six County All-Star Senior Basketball Classic on April 25 at Modesto Junior College.
Led by Staggs and Carter, Ceres High’s girls flag football compiled a 16-8 overall record, finished second in the Western Athletic Conference standings with an 11-3 mark and reached the quarterfinals of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III playoffs.
The Bulldogs secured their third straight playoff berth and earned their second postseason victory.
Staggs was voted the WAC’s Offensive Player of the Year.
She totaled 1,051 yards and 19 touchdowns.
“We battled for her to get MVP of the league,” Ceres High leader Curtis Hulstine said. “She was one vote shy. The coaches remembered her. She was a force. She loves the game and likes to work hard. She’s super coachable.”
Staggs earned first-team all-WAC honors junior year.
She totaled 901 yards and 16 touchdowns for the Bulldogs, who amassed a 13-9 overall record, placed third in league (10-4) and qualified for the Division-II playoffs.
“I enjoyed building bonds with my teammates,” said Staggs, who spent her final two years of high school in Ceres after transferring from Gregori.
Carter was selected to the WAC First Team as a senior.
She had 685 yards and 11 touchdowns.
“She’s a playmaker,” Hulstine said. “She’s a difference-maker. She gives you everything she has. She perfects the little things and it shows on the field.”
A multi-sport athlete, Staggs will play basketball and further her education at Delta College in Stockton.
She turned down flag football scholarship offers from several colleges, including Simpson University, Ripon College and Eureka College.
Staggs talked about the possibility of resuming her flag football career in the near future. Delta College plans to field its first-ever team in the fall of 2027.
“Hopefully, I can play,” she said.
Carter, Ceres High’s class valedictorian, will focus on academics at UC Merced beginning this fall.
She was accepted into the San Joaquin Valley PRIME+ Program.
Carter will earn her baccalaureate degree at UC Merced and Doctor of Medicine through UCSF Fresno.
