The top-seeded high school football teams returned to action this week as the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs continued. Before the Friday night lights illuminated their respective battlefields, three local teams were in contention for advancement. However, by the end of the night, only two remained: Folsom and Oak Ridge both advanced in Division I, while Vista del Lago’s season came to an end in Division III.
Starting in Folsom, Prairie City Stadium was packed Friday night as the top-seeded Folsom Bulldogs hosted the eighth-seeded Modesto-Downey Knights in the Division I quarterfinals. The Bulldogs delivered another commanding performance, defeating the Knights 68-28.
The game began with Downey attempting an onside kick, but Folsom recovered at the Knights’ 48-yard line. Quarterback Ryder Lyons quickly capitalized, connecting with Rob Larson on a 15-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was good, giving Folsom a 7-0 lead just two minutes into the game.
Folsom struck again on their next possession. Lyons launched a 19-yard touchdown pass to Taniela Tupou, extending the lead to 14-0 midway through the first quarter. After forcing Downey to punt, Folsom kept their momentum with a 19-yard rushing touchdown from Daymion Rivera, making it 21-0 by the end of the first quarter.
The Bulldogs continued their offensive surge in the second quarter. Lyons found Rivera for a 2-yard touchdown pass, making it 28-0. Downey responded with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Carson Lamb to Joseph Ramirez, cutting the deficit to 28-7. After recovering their own onside kick, the Knights turned the ball over on downs deep in Folsom territory.
Folsom took advantage, with Lyons throwing a 38-yard touchdown pass to Larson late in the second quarter. Just before halftime, Lyons connected with Larson again on a 33-yard touchdown pass, giving Folsom a commanding 41-7 lead.
Downey opened the second half with a spark, as Lamb hit Ramirez for a 42-yard touchdown pass, bringing the score to 41-14. However, Folsom immediately responded, with Lyons finding Tupou for a 1-yard touchdown pass to increase the lead to 48-14. Lyons and Tupou connected again for a 6-yard touchdown later in the third quarter, making it 54-14.
The Knights kept fighting, with Lamb throwing a 54-yard touchdown pass to Ramirez. On the ensuing kickoff, Folsom’s Kam Totton delivered a 91-yard return for a touchdown, pushing the score to 61-21. Downey scored again early in the fourth quarter with a 3-yard rushing touchdown by Elijah Tamayo, trimming the lead to 61-28.
Folsom capped their scoring with a 30-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Blake Nycum to Joseph Eyerman VI, and the final point-after attempt made it 68-28. The Bulldogs’ defense sealed the win with a late interception by Joaquin Rodriguez, ending Downey’s final drive.
The Bulldogs will now host Inderkum next Friday in the CIF Sac-Joaquin semifinals, with the winner advancing to face either Oak Ridge or Turlock in the finals.
Oak Ridge Trojans Cruise Past Monterey Trail, 45-7
In El Dorado Hills, the second-seeded Oak Ridge Trojans hosted the seventh-seeded Monterey Trail Mustangs and cruised to a decisive 45-7 victory.
The game began with Oak Ridge seizing momentum immediately. The Trojans recovered a short kickoff that stopped on the field and scored on the next play with a 4-yard touchdown run by Jasen Womack just eight seconds into the game. After Monterey Trail fumbled on their first drive, Oak Ridge extended their lead to 14-0 when quarterback Nate Anzelc connected with Womack on a 41-yard touchdown pass.
Monterey Trail responded in the second quarter with a touchdown pass but missed the extra point, narrowing the score to 14-6. Later, they scored again on another passing touchdown but failed a two-point conversion attempt, making it 14-12. Oak Ridge regained control just before halftime when Jonathan Grosfeld threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Womack, giving the Trojans a 21-12 lead at the break.
In the second half, Oak Ridge dominated. Womack scored his third touchdown of the night on a 2-yard run early in the third quarter, followed by a 39-yard rushing touchdown from Austin Olive, extending the lead to 35-12. Late in the third quarter, Womack intercepted a pass to set up a scoring drive capped by Thorne Watson’s 11-yard rushing touchdown, pushing the lead to 42-12.
In the fourth quarter, kicker Kyle Boeker added a 29-yard field goal for Oak Ridge, increasing the margin to 45-12. Monterey Trail managed a late 80-yard rushing touchdown and a successful two-point conversion to finalize the score at 45-20.
Womack’s three-touchdown performance, combined with his key interception, highlighted the Trojans’ victory. Oak Ridge’s balanced attack and opportunistic defense were too much for Monterey Trail.
The Trojans will host sixth-seeded Turlock next Friday, with the winner advancing to face either Folsom or Inderkum.
Vista del Lago Falls to Vanden, 28-7
Vista del Lago’s playoff hopes were dashed Friday night as they fell to Vanden 28-7 on the road.
Vanden’s quarterback, Kalani Mcleod, opened the scoring with a 15-yard rushing touchdown late in the first quarter. Jaiden Oribello’s extra point made it 7-0. Vista del Lago turned the ball over on downs near the Vanden goal line, missing a chance to level the game.
In the second quarter, Vanden’s offense exploded. Mcleod launched a 30-yard touchdown pass to Keitaro “KJ” Davis, and Oribello’s PAT extended the lead to 14-0. A successful onside kick set up a 5-yard rushing touchdown by Davis, making it 21-0. Just before halftime, Mcleod connected with Chris Clark on a 50-yard touchdown pass, and Oribello’s fourth PAT sent Vanden into the break up 28-0.
Vista del Lago scored in the fourth quarter when quarterback Matthew Werpy threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to Grant Rogers. Trevor Kaestner’s extra point made it 28-7, but the deficit proved insurmountable.
Friday nights regional scores:
Division I
Folsom 68 – Downey 28
Inderkum 35 – Granite Bay 20
Oak Ridge 45 – Monterey Trail 20
Turlock 43 – Central Catholic 42 (OT)
Division II
Grant 49 – Jesuit 7
Manteca 58 – Rodriguez 18
Rocklin 49 – Elk Grove 14
St. Mary’s 43 – Vacaville 7
Division III
Destiny Christian 28 – Christian Brothers 7
Oakdale 35 – Woodcreek 14
Vanden 28 – Vista del Lago 7
West Park 45 – Merced 28
Division IV
Patterson 38 – East Union 22
Placer 42 – Escalon 2
Sacramento 45 – Roseville 38
Twelve Bridges 63 – Sierra 7
Division V
Hughson 28 – El Dorado 6
Lathrop 35 – Hilmar 14
Sutter 47 – Oakmont 7
Union Mine 55 – Casa Roble 41
Division VI
Bradshaw Christian 55 – Ripon Christian 7
Linden 47 – Orestimba 0
Sonora 64 – Calaveras 7
Woodland Christian 21 – Liberty Ranch 7
Division VII
Big Valley Christian 55 – Waterford 25
Rio Vista 14 – Elite 12
Stone Ridge Christian 35 – Denair 15
Summerville 56 – Gustine 0
