NEWMAN, Calif – Looks like this year’s Orestimba High girls flag football is continuing where it left off in 2023.

Playing its second year of flag football after the California Interscholastic Federation – the governing body for high school athletics in the state – sanctioned the sport in early 2023, Orestimba has started the season with a 5-3 record.

“We had 31 girls who were interested in playing and I was not going to let them not play because we couldn’t find a coach,” said Orestimba head coach John Labno, who is referring to the 2023 season.

The Warriors notched two more wins at the second annual Golden Valley Varsity Girls Flag Football Tourney on Saturday. After Merced posted a narrow 33-32 victory in the first game, Orestimba rallied to take the consolation tournament title with back-to-back wins against Enochs of Modesto 26-12 and over former Southern Athletic League foe Mariposa 35-13.

In 2023, Orestimba finished with a 10-9 record that included a 4-3 mark in the Western Athletic Conference.

The Warriors also advanced to the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division Flag Football Playoffs – Division II. Orestimba was shown the postseason exit door as eventual section champion Christian Brothers of Sacramento posted a 44-6 win in the first round.

Labno has 14 of his 15 players back this season. In addition, he has 18 players on the school’s junior varsity squad.

“We are a pretty experienced program compared to some other programs that are just starting this year,” Labno said.

The Warriors’ experience begins with senior Maya Barajas, a two-way threat at running back and wide receiver. She was also the WAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2023.

“She is amazing with the ground that she covers on defense and her speed and moves as a running back are astounding,” said Labno of Barajas.

Quarterback Hailey Starr, a junior, lived up to her last name in 2023 as she also made all-league. Labno described Starr as someone “who has a cannon for an arm.”

Labno continued, “She can easily throw the ball 30 yards and allows us to stretch the defense,” said Labno of Starr.

Salece Machado is a freshman who will be Starr’s backup. Machado is also one of the Warriors’ wide receivers.

“Salece is a freshman who would likely start at quarterback for a lot of other teams in the area,” Labno said of Machado. “She will see some time at quarterback this year.”

Imelda Beltran-Pelayo, a sophomore, also made all-league as a freshman in ’23.

“She has good speed and good hands and can play anywhere on defense,” Labno noted on Beltran-Pelayo.

Mariah Avila, another senior, is back this year. During the inaugural season, Avila broke her finger early in the season and was unable to play.

“She is very good at reading offenses and being able to play a great safety, while also being a go to target on offense,” said Labno of Avila.
The Warriors’ rushing attack also includes running back Marian Quevedo.

“She shows tremendous speed as she flies into the backfield harassing the quarterback play after play,” Labno said of Quevedo.
Orestimba continues its non-league schedule at Livingston on Wednesday. Game time is slated at 6 p.m.

Then the Warriors will host Westside rival Gustine, on Thursday also at 6 p.m.

On Friday, Orestimba makes the short trek to Patterson for another non-league game at 6 p.m.

Orestimba will begin Trans-Valley League action at Hughson on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Escalon could be the favored to finish on top of the TVL this season. The Cougars were the top seed in the D-II playoffs in 2023, and defeated Millennium of Tracy in the first round and Vista del Lago of Folsom in the second before St. Mary’s beat them in the semifinals.

“Escalon was a good team last year,” said Labno of Escalon, which narrowly defeated Orestimba 20-18 last season. “I am sure that they will be ready to go. I am not sure what the rest of the teams in the league will have, but knowing how that athletics are in the TVL, I am sure it will be very competitive.”

Mike Bush is a multimedia journalist who was born and raised in the Stanislaus and Merced County areas. Follow him on X/Twitter @MikeBMultimedia and Instagram @mikebushphotography.