High School playoff football kicked across the region Friday night, and both local Division I giants made sure the area will be well-represented in Week Two. Under the lights at Prairie City Stadium and Trojans Stadium, Folsom and Oak Ridge delivered postseason performances that sent crowds home buzzing—one fueled by an explosive offensive surge, the other decided by a last-minute cardiac finish that will be remembered long after this playoff run ends.
Adding to the region’s strong postseason showing, Casa Roble of Orangevale dominated in its own bracket with a decisive win over Oakmont, while Granite Bay also rolled to a commanding victory to advance. By night’s end, all four programs had punched their tickets to the next round, extending a banner evening for local high school football.
Folsom High School opened the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs with a commanding performance Friday night at Prairie City Stadium, rolling past Downey 62–34 behind an explosive offense, a swarming defense, and momentum-shifting special teams plays that set the tone from the opening whistle.
The Bulldogs struck immediately. Downey kicked off to begin the game, and Folsom’s Isaiah Williams ignited the home crowd with a 70-yard kickoff return for a touchdown just seconds into play, giving Folsom an early 6–0 lead. But Downey responded quickly with a precision passing drive, as quarterback Julian Masaniai connected with Chris Cannon for a 27-yard score to go ahead 7–6.
Downey pushed again minutes later, taking advantage of strong field position to reach the Folsom 16, where Elias Haynes powered in a 16-yard rushing touchdown to extend the Knights’ lead to 14–6. Folsom answered with composure. Quarterback Ryder Lyons led a crisp drive to the Downey 19 and found Jameson Powell for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 14–13 after the PAT.
The teams traded scores throughout a wild first quarter, with Downey leading 14–13 after a turnover on downs, and then pushing the margin to 20–13 early in the second quarter on another Haynes rushing score. But from there, the momentum swung sharply in Folsom’s favor.
Lyons hit Rob Larson on a 41-yard touchdown strike to tie the game at 20–20, and the Bulldogs’ defense immediately turned the game on its head. Elijah Tuua delivered a drive-killing sack, and Daniel Eagleton intercepted a Downey pass moments later, returning it to the Knights’ 13. Folsom capitalized with a six-yard touchdown run from Bronson Bambino to seize a 27–20 advantage.
The Bulldogs nearly added more before halftime, but an interception just before the break sent the teams into the locker room with Folsom holding a seven-point lead.
The third quarter belonged entirely to the Bulldogs. Folsom forced consecutive stops, including a sack from Dylan Wolfe and an interception by Jason Hill Jr., which set up another strike from Lyons to Larson, this time from 15 yards out, pushing the lead to 34–20. Downey briefly responded with a one-yard touchdown run from Bryant Mendes, closing the gap to 34–27, but the Bulldogs only grew stronger.
Lyons broke loose for a long run that set up a 22-yard touchdown pass to Powell, building Folsom’s lead to 41–27. After another defensive stand, the Bulldogs’ run game took over. Osais Bolton powered in a six-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter, then ripped off a long run to set up another eight-yard score as the Bulldogs surged to a 55–27 lead.
Downey added one more touchdown with an eight-yard run from Haynes, but the Bulldogs recovered the ensuing onside kick and moved quickly into scoring range. Bolton again delivered a burst down to the eight, and Jake Lawhorn capped the night with a three-yard touchdown run to push Folsom past the 60-point mark.
By the time the final minute ticked away, the Bulldogs had delivered one of their most balanced postseason performances of the year, scoring through special teams, the air, and the ground while forcing four turnovers on defense.
Folsom now advances to Week Two of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I bracket, where they will host Monterey Trail next Friday night at Prairie City Stadium.
Oak Ridge Survives 14–13 Thriller to Advance in Division I Playoffs
On a cold, high-stakes playoff night in El Dorado Hills, the Oak Ridge Trojans delivered a finish their home crowd won’t forget anytime soon. Trailing most of the way and battling a determined Central Catholic defense, the Trojans engineered a dramatic final-minute touchdown and PAT to escape with a 14–13 victory and advance in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs.
Hundreds of fans filled Trojans Stadium, creating a charged postseason atmosphere from the opening kick. Both defenses set the tone early, forcing a string of punts as neither offense could establish rhythm in the opening minutes.
Oak Ridge finally broke through late in the first quarter when the Trojans ripped off the play that sparked the night — a 70-yard rushing touchdown that sent the crowd into a roar and put Oak Ridge on top 7–0 after the PAT. It was the first major momentum swing of a tightly played opening frame.
Central Catholic responded early in the second quarter with a physical, methodical drive capped by a rushing touchdown to tie the game at 7–7. The Raiders quickly seized another opportunity, flipping the field with a big play that carried them to the Oak Ridge 19-yard line, eventually converting a field goal to take a 10–7 lead midway through the quarter.
Oak Ridge threatened late in the half, penetrating inside the Raider 25, but a missed field goal attempt left Central Catholic holding the advantage at the break.
The Raiders extended their lead to 13–7 in the third quarter, and the tension only increased from there. Oak Ridge moved the ball in spurts but was repeatedly denied, including a fourth-quarter possession that stalled on downs. Central Catholic worked the clock while the Trojans searched for a spark.
Oak Ridge’s defense delivered it, forcing multiple late stops that kept the game within reach and gave the Trojans one final opportunity.
Starting near midfield with under a minute remaining, Oak Ridge launched a composed, high-pressure march that showcased poise and precision. The Trojans converted a key third down at the Central Catholic 40 and another at the 20. When they moved the ball inside the 10 in the closing seconds, the stadium erupted.
On the decisive play, Oak Ridge connected with No. 33, Troy Taber, for the game-tying touchdown. The Trojans calmly drilled the extra point to take a 14–13 lead, and the defense closed out the remaining seconds to secure one of the most dramatic victories of the postseason’s opening round.
With the win, Oak Ridge advances to Week Two of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs, where they will host Grant next Friday night in El Dorado Hills.
Casa Roble Dominates Oakmont to Advance in Section Playoffs
Casa Roble of Orangevale delivered one of the night’s most explosive performances, overwhelming Oakmont 55–7 in a first-round playoff rout that showcased the Rams’ versatility across all phases. The Rams put up 28 points in the first quarter alone, capitalizing on turnovers, big passing plays, and a punishing ground attack that left Oakmont reeling.
Quarterback Aidan Lopez spread the ball across his receiving corps with touchdown strikes to Tariq Lofton, Jared Alexander, Felix Rodriguez, and Karter Coss, while Jaylan Barcenas and Zander Freitag powered in scores on the ground. Casa Roble’s defense forced multiple interceptions and repeatedly flipped the field, setting up short scoring drives that helped the Rams build a 49–0 halftime advantage.
Oakmont found the end zone once in the fourth quarter, but the night belonged entirely to Casa Roble, which moves on with confidence after one of the most lopsided wins of the opening round.
Granite Bay Rolls Past Chavez to Advance in Section Playoffs
Granite Bay added another victory to the region’s dominant playoff showing Friday night, overpowering Chavez of Stockton 49–7 in a home matchup that showcased the Grizzlies’ balance on both sides of the ball. Granite Bay stormed out to a 14–0 lead in the first quarter, stacked on 21 more before halftime, and never looked back as they built a commanding 35–0 advantage by the break.
The Grizzlies continued their momentum in the third quarter with another pair of touchdowns to extend the lead to 49–7, controlling the tempo and field position throughout. Chavez managed one score early in the second half, but Granite Bay’s defense quickly clamped down and shut the Titans out the rest of the way. With the decisive win, the Grizzlies advance confidently into the next round of the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.
Regional Scoreboard, Friday Nov. 14
Bradshaw Christian 36, Woodland Christian 30
Calaveras 33, Le Grand 6
Casa Roble 55, Oakmont 7
Denair 33, Mariposa County 28
Delta 32, Valley Christian 14
East Union 58, Placer 25
Folsom 62, Downey 34
Foresthill 39, Florin 6
Grant 35, Edison 22
Granite Bay 49, Chavez 7
Hilmar 41, Rio Linda 13
Hughson 49, Pioneer 6
Lathrop 28, Lincoln 21
Liberty Ranch 30, Ripon 28
Linden 21, Stone Ridge Christian 13
Manteca 43, Tracy 8
Monterey Trail 45, Inderkum 3
Oak Ridge 14, Central Catholic 13
Oakdale 35, Ponderosa 20
Ripon Christian 28, Amador 26
Rio Americano 17, Vacaville 14
Roseville 49, Escalon 30
Sonora 49, Wheatland 7
St. Mary’s 58, Jesuit 55
Summerville 41, Rio Vista 6
Sutter 65, Rosemont 14
Twelve Bridges 71, Fairfield 35
Vanden 26, Merced 25
Woodcreek 42, Destiny Christian Academy 14
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