The East Nicolaus Spartans closed their first week of practice for the Fall 2026 season on Aug. 7. Photo by Chris Pedigo

East Nicolaus Spartans 2026

2025 Record: 6-6 (Lost in NSCIF D-IV Semifinals)

Coach: Josh Appelt

League: Sacramento Valley League

NICOLAUS, CA (YSBC) - The East Nicolaus Spartans football team is coming into the 2026 season stronger, hungrier and experienced.

East Nicolaus has 13 seniors on its roster this season, but a good majority of the team has already collected varsity experience and that has the Spartans’ excited.

Spartans head coach Josh Appelt told Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that this was the best offseason he’s had in his tenure at the helm of the program.

Appelt said they all got stronger in the weight room and added some members to the 1000-pound-club.

On top of getting stronger, he added that the experience level his roster has is a huge advantage.

The Spartans will be battle tested in their non-league schedule as they prepare for a league schedule where every team got better in the offseason.

East Nicolaus junior quarterback Braden Appelt tosses a pass on Aug. 7 during the Spartans’ game practice. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Offense

East Nicolaus junior quarterback Braden Appelt will be the signal caller on the offense for the Spartans this season as his decision making won’t be a question mark.

Braden’s comfortability as a quarterback will give East Nicolaus a bunch of diverse looks throughout the offense.

East Nicolaus junior running back Evanh Cantrell and senior running back Justin Welch are the returning rushers for the Spartans as they combined for 500 yards on the ground off of 75 touches.

Defense

The experienced defensive unit for East Nicolaus will cause chaos against their opponents as Welch will be one of the defensive leaders for the Spartans.

Welch’s 149 tackles from last year was the third most in the Northern Section. On top of Welch, fellow senior linebacker Jaxon Angland had 116 tackles last year.

Welch and Angland told YSBC they feel like this is a dedicated group of athletes and they have all put in the work during the offseason.

If teams believe they are going to run through East Nicolaus, they”ll need to reconsider passing as well due to junior defensive back Jackson Marmie picking off five passes in 2025.

East Nicolaus senior Justin Welch catches a pass during practice on Aug. 7. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Schedule

8/28 at Linden, 7 p.m.

9/4 vs. West Valley (Cottonwood), 7:30 p.m.

9/11 at Marysville, 7 p.m.

9/18 vs. Bear River (Grass Valley), 7:15 p.m.

9/25 vs. Willows, 7:30 p.m. *

10/2 at Pierce, 7:30 p.m. *

10/9 vs. Durham, 7:30 p.m. *

10/16 at Winters, 7:30 p.m. *

10/23 vs. Colusa, 7:30 p.m. *

11/6 at Paradise, 7:30 p.m. *

*= Sacramento Valley League contest