The Colfax Falcons celebrate a late score in their 20-18 victory over Wheatland on Sept. 22. Photo by Steven Bryla

WHEATLAND, CA (YSBC) - A two-point safety made the difference between the Wheatland Pirates girls’ flag football losing their first game of the 2026 season as they fell to the Colfax Falcons 20-18 on Sept. 22.

The matchup between Colfax and Wheatland was for the first overall position in the Pioneer Valley League standings as both came undefeated in league and had outstanding records.

The Pirates struck the scoreboard first in the opening quarter as freshman quarterback Caylee Hansen rushed for a 38-yard touchdown, which gave Wheatland a 6-0 lead on their opening drive of the game.

Wheatland freshman quarterback Caylee Hansen (22) drops back to pass the ball on Sept. 22 in the Pirates’ defeat to Colfax. Photo by Steven Bryla

The Pirates defense was lights out in the first half as they held the Falcons scoreless as they forced punts on their first three possessions of the game and intercepted three of Colfax freshman quarterback Catalina Washington-Stover’s passes.

The Wheatland offense was able to move the ball periodically in the first half, but struggled with short-yardage situations.

The Pirates led 6-0 at the half.

Wheatland opened the third quarter with a bang as Hansen found junior wide receiver Jorden Hill for a 66-yard passing touchdown on the first play from scrimmage and the Pirates led 12-0.

Wheatland junior Jaimasen Moran (13) intercepts a pass on Sept. 22 in the Pirates’ loss to Colfax. Photo by Steven Bryla

The Falcons were able to break through the defense in the second half as Washington-Stover hit senior wide receiver Claire Piper for touchdown passes on back-to-back drives to tie the game at 12 inside two minutes left in the third.

On the ensuing possession for Wheatland, the Colfax defensive pressure boxed Hansen into the end zone for a safety and took a 14-12 lead inside a minute left in the third.

After both teams traded possessions a couple times, the Falcons extended their lead 20-12 as Piper hauled in her third touchdown catch of the night from three-yards out with one minute and 49 seconds to go.

Hill turned on the jets down the right sideline and Hansen tossed a gem of a pass that landed for a 66-yard touchdown catch to bring the game within two points.

Wheatland junior wide receiver Jorden Hill (9) hauls in a pass on Sept. 22 enroute to a touchdown. Photo by Steven Bryla

The Pirates failed to get the two-point conversion and enforced the last chance rule where they had one shot on their own 20-yard line to convert a 4th and 20 to keep the ball.

The Falcons successfully stopped Wheatland on the attempt and took the victory.

Pirates head coach Mike Bartolomei told Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports he couldn’t have asked for a better effort from his squad.

He added that there are some things to tweak, but looks forward to the matchup in Colfax on Oct. 15 to pull off a victory on the road.

Wheatland hit the road on Tuesday at Lincoln and the Pirates hosted Center on Thursday.