Gridley senior Nayeli Romo (3) gives the Bulldogs’ a lead late in the first half of the win against Wheatland on Oct. 13. Photo by Steven Bryla

GRIDLEY, CA (YSBC) - The Gridley Bulldogs girls flag football team remained in the mix for the Pioneer Valley League pennant as they defeated the Wheatland Pirates 33-13 on Oct. 13.

Both teams battled in the first PVL matchup on September 17 where Wheatland came out with a one-possession victory.

On Oct. 13, the Pirates scored quickly on the first possession of the game as freshman quarterback Caylee Hansen found freshman wide receiver Evelyn Tillotson on a short pass and she went for a 66-yard touchdown that gave Wheatland a 7-0 lead.

Wheatland junior Jorden Hill (9) and Gridley senior Nayeli Romo (3) both go for a ball on Oct. 13. Photo by Steven Bryla

Gridley responded with their first drive of the game as junior quarterback Delanie Cloyd scored on a 17-yard touchdown rush.

The Bulldogs missed the extra-point attempt and trailed 7-6.

Cloyd fluidly moved the offense downfield throughout the game as she converted multiple short passes to Gridley senior Natalie Mariscal across the middle.

The Bulldogs took a 12-7 lead after senior running back Ava Campos scored on a 19-yard rushing touchdown.

Campos had two touchdown rushes in the victory.

Gridley senior Natalie Mariscal (8) rushes the ball during the Bulldogs’ win over Wheatland on Oct. 13. Photo by Steven Bryla

The Pirates regained the lead for the final time in the game a little under six minutes of the first half after a touchdown for a 13-12 lead.

Gridley took the lead back quickly as Cloyd connected with senior wide receiver Nayeli Romo for a 26-yard touchdown pass.

The Bulldogs added a couple more scores in the second half and defensively tamed the high-powered Pirates’ offense.

Wheatland head coach Mike Bartolomei told Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that they were dealing with a short roster at the time, but the Bulldogs are a great competitor and it’s always a battle with them when they get together.

He added their offense is explosive and difficult to contain on a regular basis.

Wheatland freshman Evelyn Tillotson (5) scores on a short pass on Oct. 13 during the Pirates’ defeat to Gridley. Photo by Steven Bryla

Campos and Cloyd expressed to YSBC that Gridley is excited for the opportunity to get back into the postseason for the Sac-Joaquin Section.

Although the Bulldogs are sanctioned in the CIF Northern Section, they competed in the SJS playoffs in 2025 because they were the only flag football team in the NS.

The Bulldogs qualified for the SJS playoffs and won their play-in game and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Orestimba.

Cloyd and Campos said as Gridley is in its second season as a program, the transition in between years went smoother because a lot of the girls are returners and didn’t have to start from scratch as opposed to 2025.

Gridley junior quarterback Delanie Cloyd (6) throws a pass downfield during the Bulldogs’ win over Wheatland on Oct. 13. Photo by Steven Bryla

They added that the Bulldogs were fortunate to play at a tournament in San Diego at the beginning of September that really brought the team closer as a unit.

Gridley had one final PVL game on Monday versus Colfax. If the Bulldogs were successful in defeating the Falcons; they would have clinched at least a share of the PVL crown.

The Pirates have the opportunity to clinch a share of the PVL title if they were victorious in their final two games against Mira Loma and Lincoln.

Wheatland picked up a big win over Colfax on Oct. 15 that kept them in the hunt for a league title.

The SJS playoffs are scheduled to begin on Monday, Oct. 28.