The Orestimba High flag football team concluded its non-league slate with a 46-21 win against Dos Palos High last Wednesday.

The Warriors will head into Trans-Valley League play at 12-1 overall, while the Broncos remain winless at 0-9.

Quarterback Salece Machado continued her breakout season, throwing for 322 yards and six touchdowns against Dos Palos’ defense.

On the receiving end of the junior’s passes were receivers Natalie Corella, Imelda Beltran, Ellery Gustafson, and Jojo Perez. Corella and Beltran each caught two TDs and combined for 157 yards. Both Gustafson and Perez recorded a TD.

With a sample of the team’s play through the first month of the season, head coach John Labno praised the team’s offense, but believes there needs to be an improvement on the defense.

“The offense is clicking pretty well. We got a lot of different weapons that we can use,” Labno said. “Defensively, I think we’re doing well … we can change things up if we need to.”

Orestimba’s offense found its rhythm in the first half, holding a 26-14 lead going into the second half. Their momentum carried into the opening drive of the third quarter as Machado threw a pass to Perez, who ran for 28-yards for a TD. Orestimba led 33-14 following the extra point.

With the score, it would be the start of the game being out of reach for the Broncos. Dos Palos recorded an interception on the ensuing drive at their own territory, setting up another Warriors score.

Machado, on the following possession, threw a short pass to Beltran, who moved past two Broncos’ defenders and ran into the end zone to expand the Warriors lead to 26. Both teams recorded a TD in the fourth, but the Warriors went on the win.

As the team prepares for league play, Labno said playing against high end competitors like Merced High (13-2) is beneficial as it could be used as a way to evaluate themselves ahead of the most important stretch of the season. Merced, the reigning Division II Sac-Joaquin Section champions, handed the Warriors its only season on Sept. 9, 36-7.

“We want to play tough teams so that, you know, when we’re ready to step in the league,” Labno said. “We’ve seen, you know, the best out there and what we need to do.”

The Warriors will begin TVL play on the road against Hughson High (8-4) on Tuesday at 5 p.m.