Gridley looks to keep Pirates at bay

The Wheatland High football team looks to continue it's unscathed trek through Butte View League play when they travel to The Bone Yard to take on Gridley tonight.

Even without the play of standout running back Vince Vetrone, Wheatland (7-1 overall, 3-0 BVL) proved why it's ranked the top Division II team in the Northern Section with a 40-6 shellacking of Las Plumas last week. This week, the Pirates will have a healthy Vetrone to compliment Derick Seward, who rumbled for 174 yards and four scores against the Thunderbirds.

Gridley (2-6,1-2) is looking to rebound after falling 27-26 to Orland last week, marking the third time this season the Bulldogs lost by a point.

Colusa (5-3) at Biggs (2-6)

Last week the roughed-up Redskins played like their myriad injury problems were nonexistent, walloping Williams in a 48-14 Mid-Valley League victory. Tonight Colusa (3-2 MVL) will head down to south Butte County looking to clinch its best overall record in more than a half-decade and try to improve their ranking above fourth in the Northern Section Division III standings.

To do so, the Redskins will need strong showings from Hayden Meyers on offense and Dylan McPherson on defense, who both scored touchdowns in last week's rout.

Things are more demure in Biggs (0-5), where the highly-competitive MVL has taken it's toll on the Wolverines so far this season.

Marysville (3-4) at Cap. Chr. (4-3)

A week after losing to one of the best teams in the entire Sacramento-Valley area, the Indians will try to rebound against their stiffest competition in the Golden Empire League.

Marysville fell to Lincoln 35 0, despite the Indians "playing the hardest they played all year," coach Cullen Meyer said. Tonight, the Indians (3-0) will look to maintain that intensity against the Cougars (3-0) in a game that will determine first place in the GEL.

As always, Marysville will depend on Michael Barabin, who leads the team in rushing (703 yards) and tackles (85). Capital Christian has a rarity in the GEL —a passing attack. Look for QB James Lee (200-plus yards a game, 16 touchdowns) to give Marysville headaches.

Inderkum (7-0) at Yuba City (4-3)

After last week's 35-21 loss to Natomas, Honkers coach John Ithurburn was asked about tonight's game against the Tigers.

He simply sighed. This year, Inderkum has destroyed everything in its path — just ask River Valley, which watched the Tigers (2-0 Tri County Conference) hang a score of 67-0 on the Falcons' scoreboard. On the season, Inderkum is averaging 47.9 points a game to Yuba City's 22.6.

To have a chance, Yuba City (1-1) will depend on top-Mid-Valley rusher Taylor Rowe. The senior halfback has carried the Honkers all season, averaging 129.3 yards a game.

Lindhurst (2-5) at Encina (1-6)

Frustration has transformed into fruition for the Blazers over the last two weeks — winning back-to-back games after going 0-5 to open the season. Tonight, it very well could be three straight when Lindhurst travels to face the perennially struggling Bulldogs (0-3 GEL).

In order to dispatch the GEL's second worst team, Lindhurst (2-1) will look again to quarterback AZ Sutton, who threw for two touchdowns in his first game under center. The senior leader will hand-off to Angel Vega, who scored four times in last week's 35-13 victory over San Juan.

Sutter (6-2) at Las Plumas (0-8)

The Huskies shouldn't have much a problem extending their BVL winning streak to 17 straight when they travel to Harrison Stadium in Oroville to meet the wingless Thunderbirds. Sutter (3-0 BVL) comes in on the strength of its stingy defensive unit, while the backfield trio of quarterback Grant Campbell (654 combined yards, five TDs) and backs Justin Gildemeister (534 yards, three TDs) and Ryan Cargill (439 yards, three TDs) have provided the bulk of the Huskies' offensive output.

While Sutter looks to extend its winning streak and keep everyone healthy for next week's clash against Wheatland, the Thunderbirds (0-3 BVL) will just look to stay competitive as they search for their first win of the season.

River Valley (2-5) at Pioneer (4-3)

One team will walk away with its first league win when the Falcons travel down the road to meet the Patriots in Woodland. Defense will be key as River Valley looks to end a current four-game losing stretch in which it surrendered an average of 40 points per contest.

The Falcons will look to get back on track against a Patriots team that is coming off a pair of 13-point setbacks to Natomas and Inderkum to begin league play.

East Nicolaus (5-3) at Esparto (2-6)

The Spartans look to rebound from a disappointing 36-8 setback to Quincy last week when they travel to Esparto for a MVL game with playoff implications. East Nicolaus (2-2 MVL) is currently ranked fourth in the Northern Section Division IV rankings and will need to win its final two games to ensure a home game in the first-round of the playoffs.

It's also a big game for Esparto (1-4 MVL), which his holding on to the sixth and final playoff spot in Division IV.

Hamilton (6-2) at Williams (1-7)

The Yellowjackets (1-4 MVL) seek to earn their second win of the year when they play host to the perennial-power Braves in an MVL contest. Junior quarterback Carlos has carried the offensive load for Williams, passing for 1,080 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for a team-high 328 yards and an additional three scores.

Hamilton (4-1 MVL) has cruised into second place in the MVL standings, losing only to undefeated Portola. The Braves are led by running back Omar Diaz, who has racked up 1,129 yards and 14 touchdowns through eight games.