by Alan Inderkane/Photos by PJ Petersen
The Folsom Bulldogs continued their dominant season Saturday night, shutting out longtime local Sierra Foothill League rival Oak Ridge 41-0 in the much anticipated Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championship at Hughes Stadium.
Entering the game with an 11-1 record, the Bulldogs showcased why they are a perennial powerhouse, delivering a masterclass in all phases of the game and punching their ticket to their journey towards another CIF State Championship bout that begins next Friday in Pittsburgh for the NorCal Finals.
Saturday’s game began with a defensive showcase by the Bulldogs. After forcing Oak Ridge into a quick three-and-out, Folsom’s defense pinned the Trojans deep with a first-quarter sack by defensive end Taniela Tupou. Oak Ridge struggled to find any rhythm, frequently punting under relentless pressure.
Folsom’s special teams capitalized on these opportunities, consistently giving the Bulldogs’ offense favorable field position. An early sack pushed Oak Ridge back to their own 11-yard line, setting up a punt that allowed Folsom to begin a drive on Oak Ridge’s 25-yard line.
Safety Kam Totton’s second-quarter interception was a pivotal moment, halting one of Oak Ridge’s few promising drives and energizing the Folsom sideline. Totton’s play exemplified a Bulldogs defense that forced multiple turnovers while holding the Trojans scoreless.
After a bit of a slow start, Folsom soon broke through midway through the first quarter. Quarterback Ryder Lyons capped off a short drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown to give Folsom a 7-0 lead. Lyons followed up with a strong performance in the passing game, including a second-quarter 6-yard touchdown pass to tight end Taniela Tupou.
Running back Carter Jackson put on a show, contributing two rushing touchdowns, including a 36-yard sprint early in the second quarter that pushed Folsom’s lead to 14-0. Jackson later added a second score from 2 yards out, part of a dominant rushing attack that wore down the Oak Ridge defense.
In the second quarter, Lyons connected on a long pass to Isaiah Williams, which set up another scoring opportunity inside the 5-yard line. Folsom capitalized, extending their lead to 28-0 by halftime.
Late in the game, running back Joseph Eyerman VI added an exclamation point with an 11-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, completing a dominant offensive showing for the Bulldogs.
Special teams proved vital in maintaining Folsom’s momentum. Additionally, Bulldogs’ kicker Breckon Karford was perfect on extra points, and the Bulldogs consistently pinned Oak Ridge deep in their own territory throughout the game.
A standout moment in the third quarter came when defensive lineman Demetrione Brown scooped up a fumble and returned it 1 yard for a touchdown, increasing Folsom’s lead to 34-0. This play was a turning point, erasing any hope of an Oak Ridge comeback and highlighting the Bulldogs’ ability to capitalize on their opponents’ mistakes.
Oak Ridge ends another year falling to Folsom
Oak Ridge entered the game hoping to avenge an earlier season loss to Folsom and a long rivalry when it comes to the SJS Division I Title contest, but found themselves unable to match the Bulldogs’ speed and execution. The Trojans struggled to gain yardage, frequently punting or turning the ball over on downs. Despite a strong defensive effort at times, they could not contain Folsom’s explosive playmakers.
The Trojans’ best chance came in the third quarter when they intercepted a Folsom pass near midfield. However, their drive stalled, and a turnover on downs ended hopes of mounting a comeback.
The Bulldogs will now travel to Pittsburg next Friday to compete in the NorCal Finals with kick off at 7:30 p.m.
Quarter by Quarter Fast Pass Highlights
| First Quarter: Folsom 7, Oak Ridge 0 Ryder Lyons 1-yard rushing touchdown. Folsom defense holds Oak Ridge to minimal yardage. Second Quarter: Folsom 28, Oak Ridge 0 Carter Jackson 36-yard rushing touchdown. Kam Totton interception sets up a touchdown drive. Lyons connects with Tupou for a 6-yard touchdown pass. Jackson scores again on a 2-yard rushing touchdown. Third Quarter: Folsom 34, Oak Ridge 0 Demetrione Brown 1-yard fumble recovery touchdown. Fourth Quarter: Folsom 41, Oak Ridge 0 Joseph Eyerman VI 11-yard rushing touchdown. |
Game photos by PJ Petersen. Article by Alan Inderkane, correspondent for Folsom Times with additional content by Bill Sullivan.
Story updated at 2:00 pm, Dec. 1 to include upcoming game information.
