Ceres High girls flag football standout Lilly Staggs has been voted the Western Athletic Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year.

Staggs and Bulldog teammates Sovannary Carter, Gabriella Ortiz, Presley Vierra, Daisy Leon, Mariah Renteria and Jayden Garcia were recognized during the WAC’s year-end head coaches’ meeting on Oct. 27 in Ceres.

They guided Ceres High to a second-place finish in the conference standings.

The Bulldogs won 11 of their 13 league games this fall.

Ceres High secured its third straight playoff berth and earned its second postseason victory.

“It was nice to see other coaches honor our players,” Bulldogs’ head coach Curtis Hulstine said. 

Staggs, a senior running back/receiver, totaled 1,051 yards and 19 touchdowns. 

“We battled for her to get MVP of the league. 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.”

Carter, a senior receiver, and Ortiz, a senior defensive back, were named to the WAC First Team.

Carter had 685 yards and 11 touchdowns.

“She’s a playmaker. She’s a difference-maker. She gives you everything she has. She perfects the little things and it shows on the field.”

Ortiz had 33 tackles and three interceptions.

“She was very coachable. She could make changes on the spot. She had some big stops to win us some games.”

Vierra, a senior quarterback, and Leon, a junior linebacker/defensive back, were named to the WAC Second Team.

Vierra piled up 3,396 yards and 50 touchdowns.

“She surprised me. She had some big shoes to fill. She did an amazing job. She commanded the offense. She’s smart. She reads defenses well. She knows where to put the ball. She made my job easier.

Leon had 15 tackles, 12 sacks and five interceptions.

“She was very good at putting pressure on quarterbacks."

The Bulldogs had two WAC honorable-mention selections in Renteria and Garcia

Renteria, a third-year player, was also named Ceres High’s WAC Sportsmanship Award winner.

Renteria, a senior receiver/linebacker/cornerback, had 496 yards, five touchdowns and 14 tackles.

“She’s been a staple of our program. She took on the role not only as a player but player-coach. She was the leader of the team. She was always positive whether we were winning or losing. She was a super reliable player.”

Garcia, a junior, contributed at receiver and linebacker.

“She’s tall, fast and explosive. She’s exciting to watch.”

Staggs, Carter, Ortiz, Vierra and Renteria will be lost to graduation.

“It’s always sad to see girls go. I hope I made an impact on them the way they did on me. I’m excited to see what they do in the future and continue to be successful.”