WHEATLAND, CA (YSBC) - The Wheatland Union Pirates Football team kept pace within the Pioneer Valley League standings as they beat the Marysville Indians 27-6 on Friday, Oct. 17.

As both teams entered with a 2-1 record in league, the winner of this game would stay in the hunt for the Pioneer Valley League title and a postseason berth.

The first quarter ended scoreless and set up a defensive first half as both defenses had shining moments whether it was an interception by Wheatland senior defensive back Kaleb Hill or a big hit by Marysville.

Hill had multiple impacts on the game that included a touchdown catch, two interceptions, three rushes and a few receptions.

Wheatland sophomore quarterback Joseph Franklin (26) throws a pass on Friday, Oct. 17 during the Pirates’ 27-6 win against Marysville. Photo by Steven Bryla

Hill put Wheatland on the scoreboard with six minutes left in the first half as sophomore quarterback Joseph Franklin connected with Hill 26 yards down into the end zone.

Hill ended the game with four receptions for 60 yards. Franklin completed nine passes for 133 yards in the air, a passing touchdown and rushed for 30 yards in the win.

Indians senior defensive back Andrew Salguero snagged a Franklin pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown, but Marysville trailed by one after a missed extra point.

The Indians picked off the next pass from Franklin with a minute to go in the first half, but were unsuccessful at cashing in the opportunity to take the lead.

Marysville head coach Anthony Fonseca expressed to Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that this was the second-straight week the offense has struggled.

Marysville senior running back Andrew Salguero (24) rushes the ball during the Indians' 27-6 loss on Friday, Oct. 17 to Wheatland. Photo by Steven Bryla

The Indians were able to get some successful throws from junior quarterback Karter Ellyson to Salguero. Salguero hauled in three receptions for 46 yards.

Fonseca said the defense did an outstanding job and there were plenty of positives to take away from the game. He added that the goal moving forward is to focus on their final two home games of the regular season.

The Pirates opened the second half with an extensive 76-yard scoring drive that took more than seven minutes off the clock and extended the Wheatland lead 14-6 when Franklin found senior running back Jaylen Brown for a 20-yard passing touchdown.

Brown ran the ball effectively in the second half as he rushed the ball effectively, including three rushes of 10 or more yards before he ended his night with 77 yards on the ground.

Brown gave his offensive line a lot of credit for blocking and opening up massive holes that allowed him to get into the second level.

Marysville senior defensive tackle Aidan Diaz Lawslon (56) sacks Wheatland quarterback Joe Franklin (26) on Friday, Oct. 17 in the Indians' 27-6 defeat. Photo by Steven Bryla

He added that the Pirates as a unit hold themselves to a higher standard and have the trust in one another to be there for one another on a daily basis.

Hill had his second interception with a little more than 11 minutes remaining in the game and initially returned 60-plus yards for a touchdown, but it was called off due to a penalty.

Pirates senior running back Jordan James scored on a five-yard rushing touchdown and extended the lead to two possessions with five minutes left in the game. 

Ellyson surrendered his third interception of the night as Wheatland junior linebacker Tyler Rivers put the Pirates on the Marysville 19 inside of three minutes. 

Pirates senior quarterback Cody Atwood tossed a 24-yard strike to senior wide receiver Brayden Zozoya shortly after and secured the win.

Franklin expressed to YSBC that the Pirates came out in the second half and made a statement.

The importance of the victory for Wheatland keeps them in the Pioneer Valley League race and postgame, Pirates head coach Andy Fatten told his team they still have a lot of work to continue being successful.

Marysville junior quarterback Karter Ellyson (3) throws a pass on Friday, Oct. 17 in the Indians’ loss to Wheatland. Photo by Steven Bryla

One of the biggest things Fatten said to YSBC that they’ve preached to their athletes this year was being an unselfish team. 

Fatten spoke to his team after and expressed , “We gotta keep the we, not the me mentality.”

“We have so many athletes on this team and if we fall into a place of worrying about ourselves instead of the team as a whole, it’ll be our downfall,” Fatten said.

Hill said what makes Wheatland special to play is the brotherhood. He expressed the first day he stepped on campus during the spring that he felt accepted and everyone had opened him with welcome arms.

“We (Wheatland) have so many weapons that if the defense focuses on one person, we have multiple other personnel we can dish it to.”

Wheatland senior defensive back Kaleb Hill (21) snags his first of two interceptions on the night during the Pirates' 27-6 win against Marysville on Friday, Oct. 17. Photo by Steven Bryla

Fatten added that in the win over the Indians, the Wheatland defense played its first full game of complete defense.

The Pirates are scheduled to play at Center today with kickoff at 7:15 p.m.

As Colfax defeated Bear River this past Friday, Wheatland is the only Pioneer Valley League team a game behind Lincoln in the standings.

Marysville is scheduled to host Oakmont tonight at 7:15 p.m. 

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