Central Valley’s girls flag football team has been on a roll since losing 36-12 to crosstown-rival Ceres High.
The Hawks secured their third straight victory after edging Beyer 32-24 in Western Athletic Conference play on Oct. 9 in Ceres.
Central Valley won the first meeting, 34-0, on Sept. 16.
“It was an extremely chippy game,” head coach Tony Cordova said while talking about the rematch. “There was a lot of contact. The refs allowed it. Our girls responded well.”
The Hawks improved to 7-10 overall and 6-4 in the WAC.
Central Valley moved into a fourth-place tie in the league standings with Ceres High.
The Hawks also remained in the hunt for a playoff berth.
“It’s pretty exciting we’re doing so well,” said Cordova, whose team won just three games and finished seventh in the Central California Conference in 2023. “We’re getting a lot of compliments from teachers and staff, and coaches from other sports on campus. There’s a bright future here at CV.”
Central Valley piled up 305 yards of total offense versus Beyer.
Freshman quarterback Addisyn Prudhel completed 15 of 30 passes for 208 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
She also rushed for 40 yards and one TD on four carries.
Brianna Espinoza passed for 34 yards and one touchdown.
Jocelyn Rivera totaled 85 yards and two touchdowns on five receptions.
Ruby Medina caught one pass for 10 yards and one touchdown.
Damaris Cisneros and Tarnjot Kaur led Central Valley’s defense with one interception apiece.
Giana Breshears collected two tackles.
Airiena Martinez had two pass deflections.
Central Valley edged Pacheco 20-16 on Oct. 7 in Los Banos.
The Hawks exacted revenge as they lost the first meeting, 26-14, on Sept. 11.
“The girls were eager to get on the field,” Cordova said. “I knew we could beat them. The second time through league is a lot more comfortable. You know what to expect.”
Central Valley had 281 yards of total offense.
Prudhel completed 20 of 28 passes for 236 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.
Freshman Ayleen Apreza caught eight passes for 90 yards and one touchdown.
Martinez caught three passes for 65 yards and one touchdown.
Rivera caught five passes for 60 yards and one touchdown.
Apreza had two tackles, one sack and one pass deflection on defense.
Madelyn Mastropierro had four tackles and one pass deflection.
Mia Mendoza had three tackles and one sack.
Lilly Schmidt had three pass deflections.
The Hawks are playing for more than just pride this season.
“It’s pretty unbelievable to be in the (playoff) conversation, especially after last year,” Cordova said. “We knew we could turn things around. We didn’t think we’d turn it around this quick. We’re going to be at the top of this league in the future.”
Split for Dawgs
Ceres High’s girls flag football team moved to 9-8 overall and 6-4 in the WAC after winning one of its two games last week.
The third-place Bulldogs defeated the Vikings of Johansen 48-0 on Oct. 7 in Ceres.
Ceres High lost 27-22 at Lathrop on Oct. 9.
The Spartans edged the Bulldogs for the second time this season.
Lathrop won the first, meeting 29-16, on Sept. 16.
