East Nicolaus senior running back Justin Welch (21) rushes the ball during the Spartans’ win over Winters on Oct. 16. Photo by Steven Bryla

WINTERS, CA (YSBC) - The East Nicolaus Spartans redeemed the ending to their 2025 season as their physicality on both sides of the ball pounded the Winters Warriors 21-0 on Oct. 16.

This was the first time East Nicolaus was victorious over Winters since 2022.

The Spartans’ opened the slugfest of physicality on the first drive of the game as their defense forced a fumble within the first couple of plays of the game and gave them great field position for their first offensive drive.

The 34-yard drive ended with East Nicolaus junior quarterback Braden Appelt scoring on a four-yard touchdown.

Winters senior quarterback Aidan Baylor (7) is swarmed by the East Nicolaus defense on Oct. 16. Photo by Steven Bryla

Spartans head coach Josh Appelt expressed to Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports the name and goal of the week was to be more physical than the Warriors like they have done every game this season.

East Nicolaus’s defense ended a few red-zone opportunities for Winters in the game and put up their third goose egg defensively this season.

Any rush attempted by the Warriors resulted in a play for a loss or a big hit by multiple Spartans crashing.

Winters was able to connect on passes throughout the game for positive yards, but the Warriors committed multiple penalties and were thrown into long passing situations.

East Nicolaus junior linebacker Dylan Robbins (32) makes a big stop during the Spartans’ 21-0 win over Winters on Oct. 16. Photo by Steven Bryla

Spartans junior lineman Max Guzman said that the goal was to get deep in the backfield and apply multiple pressure looks towards Baylor.

The East Nicolaus defense had seven tackles for loss, and five sacks.

Guzman ended the game with five tackles, including two sacks and three hurries.

Spartans junior linebacker Dylan Robbins led the way with 10 tackles, two for a loss, two sacks and deflected three passes in the win.

Offensively for East Nicolaus, senior running back Justin Welch found gaping holes in the Winters defense that were opened up by his offensive line.

East Nicolaus junior defensive back Jackson Marmie (3) tackles Winters quarterback Aidan Baylor (7) on Oct. 16. Photo by Steven Bryla

Welch rushed the ball 14 times for 178 yards on the ground and two touchdowns.

Welch said that it was a big win for the Spartans because they like proving people wrong each week.

Josh said that Welch is a phenomenal leader on and off the field and when they get senior Jaxon Angland in a few weeks, the offense will just be even more dangerous and harder to contain than defenses are struggling with currently.

Josh expressed that he and his staff are telling the guys to just focus on going 1-0 on the week.

East Nicolaus returns home on Friday for a matchup with the Colusa RedHawks.

The Spartans have won the last two matchups, but Josh reminded his team in the postgame huddle that Sacramento Valley League is a place where anyone can pull out a win no matter what the record is.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

East Nicolaus senior Aiden Clark (11) returns a punt on Oct. 16 during the Spartans’ victory over Winters. Photo by Steven Bryla