East Nicolaus senior running back Jayden Marshall (9) fumbles the ball on Friday, Sept. 5 in the Spartans' 20-13 loss to El Dorado. Photo by Steven Bryla 

TROWBRIDGE, CA (YSBC) – The El Dorado Cougars spoiled a night of celebration on Friday, Sept. 5 after they beat the East Nicolaus Spartans 20-13.

East Nicolaus celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the 2015 State Championship football team on Friday night where players, coaches and staff were recognized during half time.

Former Spartans head coach Travis Barker expressed to Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that it was a great opportunity for everyone to reconnect and reminisce on an amazing experience.

Barker, who is still a teacher on the East Nicolaus campus told YSBC that he remembers the historic time as the leader of the Spartans program and how he enjoys seeing the hard work return every season. 

The Spartans took advantage of an overthrown pass by El Dorado that East Nicolaus sophomore Evan Cantrell intercepted and returned it 55 yards into Spartans territory.

Cantrell also had three tackles in the loss and offensively had 22 rushing yards.

El Dorado sophomore defensive back Heath Morris (10) knocks a pass down against East Nicolaus senior tight end Austen Felkins (7) on Friday, Sept. 5 in the Spartans' 20-13 defeat. Photo by Steven Bryla

East Nicolaus senior quarterback Mason Taylor gave the Spartans the lead with eight minutes to go in the first as he rushed the ball into the end zone from one yard out for a 7-0 lead.

Taylor rushed the ball nine times for 48 yards, but had a rough night completing passes as he went 6-for-21 with 58 passing yards. 

There were multiple dropped passes throughout the night and Taylor tossed two interceptions in the fourth as the Spartans had late opportunities to win the game. The East Nicolaus defense was great in the first half as they gave up minimal yards.

The Spartans were driving down late in the first half and had an opportunity to extend the lead, but they had the first of their four turnovers in the loss with a fumble inside the El Dorado red zone. East Nicolaus head coach Josh Appelt said they had too many mistakes between the turnovers and the penalties.

The Cougars tied the game at seven with three and a half minutes left in the first half after they had a 31-yard touchdown pass for a score. 

The game went into the half tied at seven. Spartans senior running back Jimmy Malgoza was effective in running the ball hard for East Nicolaus as he rushed for 38 yards off seven carries in the first half.

East Nicolaus sophomore running back Evan Cantrell (20) rushes into the end zone for a touchdown in the Spartans' 20-13 loss on Friday, Sept. 5. Photo by Steven Bryla

El Dorado took the lead in the first few minutes of the second half after they converted a 65-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard touchdown pass for a 14-7 lead. The Spartans responded with a lengthy drive where Cantrell punched in a two-yard rush for a touchdown but trailed by one after a missed extra point.

East Nicolaus's defense played great the rest of the game, but the offense struggled and wasn't able to move the ball in flow from when they scored the touchdown towards the end of the third quarter.

The Spartans had back-to-back turnovers within two minutes within their territory and the Cougars capitalized on a short field opportunity after Taylor tossed an interception. El Dorado extended their lead 20-13 with five minutes to go after a short rush, but the lead stayed at seven after they missed an extra point.

East Nicolaus tried to pass the ball the last couple drives of the game, but they were unsuccessful to tie the game and Taylor tossed his second interception of the night to end the night in the final minute.

Appelt told YSBC postgame they need to play better as a squad and they will bounce back. The Spartans had a little more than 200 yards of offense in the loss and Appelt expressed to his team that they were in the same position last year and were able to get all the way to a section final. East Nicolaus is scheduled to host Marysville this Friday, Sept. 12, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

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