WHEATLAND, CA (YSBC) – The Wheatland Union Pirates football team gutted out a hard fought and gritty battle over the Union Mine Diamondbacks on Friday, Aug. 29.

A week removed from a disappointing 42-14 loss against Amador in the 2025 opener, Wheatland responded to the challenges from their coaching staff.

Pirates head coach Andy Fatten told Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that he wanted them to be more physical on both sides of the ball.

“Their (Union Mine) going to run it right down your throat, so we needed to be the most physical team on the field,” Fatten said.

Physicality was no issue for both teams as the first quarter was scoreless and flew by and lasted at the blink of the eye. 

Wheatland senior athlete Jaylen Brown (6) rushes the ball during the Pirates’ 12-8 victory on Friday, Aug. 29. Photo by Steven Bryla

Union Mine had their first three drives of the game with great field position in Wheatland territory, while the Pirates first two possessions of the game started within their five-yard line.

The Wheatland defense held strong against the rushing attack of the Diamondbacks as Pirates junior lineman Brody Karas recovered a fumble by Union Mine. 

Fatten told YSBC that he was so proud of the defensive line and his linebacking core stepped up and gave the physicality right back to the Diamondbacks.

“Our D-line played unselfish football tonight,” Fatten said. 

Wheatland got on the scoreboard first as junior quarterback Joseph Franklin found senior wide receiver Diego Lopez for a 19-yard touchdown pass in the right corner of the end zone. 

Wheatland junior lineman Brody Karas (54) recovers a fumble in the first quarter of the Pirates’ 12-8 win against Union Mine on Friday, Aug. 29. Photo by Steven Bryla 

Franklin completed five passes for 85 yards in the win and the Pirates took a 6-0 lead into the half.

Union Mine responded quickly in the second half and took an 8-6 lead after senior quarterback Nathan Gregson found senior running back Max Nober wide open down field for a 59-yard touchdown pass. 

The Diamondbacks defense kept the momentum on their side as they intercepted a pass from Franklin on the ensuing possession that once again gave them great field position, this time on the Wheatland 35. 

Like clockwork, the Pirates defense came up with another big stop on fourth down that forced the change of possession back to the Wheatland offense. 

The Pirates completed a 74-yard drive that was capped off with a 24-yard rushing touchdown by senior athlete Jaylen Brown that gave the Pirates a 12-8 lead.

Brown was a workhorse for the Wheatland offense on Friday as ran the ball 10 times for 71 yards. Fatten said that Brown is a great addition to the offense as he’s a dynamic runner that goes downhill and has great vision.