Ceres High’s inaugural girls flag football team put the finishing touches on near-perfect regular season last week.

The Bulldogs improved to 16-2 overall and claimed the Western Athletic Conference championship with a perfect 7-0 mark after topping Orestimba and Mountain House.

Ceres High was awarded the No. 6 seed for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-I playoffs.

“It’s very exciting,” Bulldogs’ senior standout quarterback/defensive back Marissa Renteria said. “We’re leaving a legacy at our school. I’m not surprised. We have a lot of talent on our team.”

“It’s been a season full of firsts,” Ceres High head coach Curtis Hulstine said. “Truly blessed to have the coaching staff and athletes I have. We’re all proud of what we’ve done as a unit.”

Ceres High edged host Orestimba 28-27 on Oct. 17.

“It was a crazy game,” Hulstine said. “Orestimba’s defense challenged us in a way no other team has. We had to battle through.”

“We didn’t give up,” Renteria added. “We knew going into the game it wasn’t going to be easy.”

Renteria tossed a touchdown pass to freshman Savannah Leifried to cut the deficit to one point with 28 seconds to play.

Down 27-26, Renteria accounted for the eventual, game-winning 2-point conversion run.

“It was a quick decision,” Hulstine said. “We wanted to put an end to the game. I have a lot of faith in my team.”

Renteria secured the victory with an interception at Ceres High’s 20-yard line in the waning seconds.

“I feel blessed to have the opportunity to show what I can do,” Renteria said. “I just love to contribute.”

Renteria passed for 214 yards and four touchdowns against fourth-place Orestimba.

She rushed for 112 yards.

Renteria intercepted two passes on defense.

Maddie Schultz had 46 yards and two touchdowns while contributing at receiver.

Leifried had 30 yards and one touchdown.

Alyssa Santillanes had 7 yards and one touchdown.

Mariah Renteria had 77 yards.

Nehemiah Valenzuela had 28 yards.

Maria Bravo had 26 yards.

Visiting Ceres High bested last-place Mountain House 36-6 on Thursday.

The Bulldogs won their final 12 regular-season games.

“Every aspect of the season has been fun,” Hulstine said. “Practice. Games. Bus rides. We have a very special group of girls. They communicate well on both sides of the ball. They trust each other. They all work hard and hold each other accountable. They always rise to the occasion.”

“We never put each other down,” Renteria added. “We always pick each other up. We try to stay positive. We try not to underestimate other teams.”