Ceres High’s football program was well-represented when coaches from the Western Athletic Conference doled out all-league honors last month.

Maddie Schultz, Lilly Staggs, Savannah Leifried, Emily Esparza, Sovannary Carter, Joselin Ruiz, Mariah Renteria, Nehemiah Valenzuela and Kylie Bond were rewarded during the WAC’s year-end head coaches’ meeting on Oct. 28 in Ceres.

“It shows how big of an impact they had on the team,” said Bulldogs’ leader Curtis Hulstine, whose team posted a 10-4 record en route to a third-place finish in the league standings this fall. “They were dedicated. They worked hard.”

Schultz, Staggs, Leifried and Esparza earned first-team all-conference honors.

Schultz, a senior quarterback, totaled 3,028 yards and 45 touchdowns during the regular season.

She started at center as a junior.

“Playing quarterback is a very tough position,” Hulstine said. “She stepped up. She read the field well. She was competitive. She had a lot of support from her teammates to make her feel comfortable on the field.”

Staggs, a junior receiver, totaled 901 yards and 16 touchdowns.

“It shows what kind of natural abilities she has,” Hulstine said. “Her biggest attributes are her speed and coachability.”

Leifried, a sophomore safety, led the Bulldogs in interceptions with 10 and ranked fourth on the team in tackles with 15.

She had 246 yards and four touchdowns at receiver.

“If you were to build an athlete to exactly what you want, it’s Savannah,” Hulstine said. “She’s got lightning-fast speed. She’s very agile. She’s very coachable.”

Esparza, a senior cornerback, led the team in tackles (52) and tied for second in interceptions (2).

“She was a lockdown corner all year,” Hulstine said. “Teams didn’t want to throw to her side. When they did, they paid for it.”

Carter and Ruiz were both selected to the WAC Second Team.

Carter, a junior receiver, totaled 547 yards and five touchdowns.

“She made some game-changing plays,” Hulstine said. “Coaches in the league remembered that.”

Ruiz, a senior cornerback, ranked second on the team in tackles (36).

“She played the position perfectly,” Hulstine said.

Renteria and Valenzuela were honorable-mention picks.

Renteria, a junior receiver, totaled 472 yards and 10 touchdowns.

“She did a great job.”

Valenzuela, a senior receiver, totaled 357 yards and four touchdowns.

“She was a big anchor on our offense coaching the other girls and making big plays,” Hulstine said.

Bond, a senior center, was named Ceres High’s WAC Sportsmanship Award recipient. She totaled 78 yards and two touchdowns.