Bear River sophomore fullback Carson Schaffner (14) gets tackled during the Bruins’ defeat to East Nicolaus on Sept. 18. Photo by Steven Bryla

TROWBRIDGE, CA (YSBC) - The East Nicolaus Spartans keep proving doubters wrong as they won their fourth-straight game to open the 2026 football season with a 41-7 win over the Bear River Bruins off Friday, Sept. 18.

East Nicolaus were underdogs through multiple projections in the first couple weeks of the season, and they have embraced the roll of being “underdogs.

The Spartans owned the first half as their offense was able to score at will and lit up the scoreboard with proficient offensive play.

Bear River sophomore fullback Carson Schaffner (14) rushes the ball on Sept. 18 during the Bruins’ loss to East Nicolaus. Photo by Steven Bryla

East Nicolaus junior quarterback Braden Appelt found senior athlete Jaxon Angland for a 40-yard touchdown pass that gave the Spartans an early 6-0 lead halfway through the first quarter.

Appelt had three completions in the win for 137 yards in the air and two touchdown passes. He also rushed for 46 yards on the ground.

The East Nicolaus defense dismantled a Bear River rushing attack that averaged over 360 yards on the ground through the first few weeks of the season.

The Spartans held the Bruins to 67 rushing yards in the game and tamed Bear River’s Jaden Waters and Carson Schaffner.

East Nicolaus junior running back Evan Cantrell (22) bursts upfield on Sept. 18 during the Spartans’ 41-7 win over Bear River. Photo by Steven Bryla

East Nicolaus head coach Josh Appelt told Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports the biggest advantage the Spartans have displayed on both sides of the ball is the unity to play for one another.

“Their (Spartans) not worried about individual stats or anything like that,” Appelt said. “They’re focused on getting the W up for East Nic each week.”

The Spartans scored on four straight possessions in the first half and built a controlling 27-0 behind a 71-yard rushing touchdown by junior running back Evan Cantrell.

Cantrell led the rushing attack for the Spartans as he rushed for 126 yards off four carries and a pair of touchdowns.

East Nicolaus senior running back Justin Welch (21) runs the ball for the Spartans’ against Bear River on Sept. 18. Photo by Steven Bryla

East Nicolaus senior running back Justin Welch broke loose for a couple runs before he scored on a one-yard rushing touchdown in the second.

Welch also had two touchdowns in the win with 69 yards rushing and a reception for 49 yards.

Appelt and Angland linked up with Angland again as they scored on a 48-yard passing touchdown for the Spartans to have a commanding 27-0 lead.

Angland said the culture around the program is better this year across the team and the East Nicolaus campus.

“On game days we are all in good sync with one another and we are ready to play 48 minutes of football,” Angland said.

Angland’s two touchdown receptions combined for 88 yards.

East Nicolaus junior quarterback Braden Appelt (1) throws a touchdown pass to Jaxon Angland during the Spartans’ 41-7 victory on Sept. 18. Photo by Steven Bryla

Defensively, the Spartans had 19 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

Angland, Welch and junior linebacker Dylan Robbin’s led the way with all double-digit tackles

The Bear River sideline was quiet and non-existent. The only cheer for the Bruins in the second half was when they scored on a 68-yard kickoff return touchdown by senior Ty Cleek within the first couple minutes of the second half.

Welch and Cantrell each found the end zone in the second half for East Nicolaus’s big win.

East Nicolaus senior Jaxon Angland (4) runs into the end zone for a touchdown pass on Sept. 18 in the Spartans’ 41-7 victory over Bear River. Photo by Steven Bryla

The Spartans achieved more than 400 yards of total offense in the win.

Welch, Appelt and Cantrell told YSBC the key to success is just being there for one another.

Josh added that one of the biggest advantages of this season is the looseness the team has had.

He added practices are in good flow, and the guys are holding one another accountable without the coaching staff needing to charge in.

East Nicolaus opens Sacramento Valley League play on Friday, Sept. 25 against Willows.

Josh told YSBC that the SVL is going to be a battle this year as teams are going to beat up on one another. Kickoff off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.