FOLSOM — Under the glow of the Friday night lights and the excitement of homecoming week, the Folsom Bulldogs once again reminded the Sierra Foothill League why Prairie City Stadium remains one of the toughest places in Northern California for visiting teams. Behind a relentless offense led by quarterback Ryder Lyons and a defense that smothered Whitney from the opening snap, Folsom cruised to a 48–7 victory before a huge hometown crowd.
The homecoming atmosphere was electric from the moment the Bulldogs took the field through a tunnel of cheerleaders and fireworks. Students, alumni, and families filled the stands, and Folsom’s energy translated instantly onto the field.
Whitney opened the game by kicking off to Folsom, but the Bulldogs wasted no time striking first. Starting at their own 34-yard line, Lyons led a quick-hitting drive that showcased the team’s balanced attack. A mix of short passes and runs from Bronson Bambino moved the ball deep into Wildcat territory. Just minutes later, Bambino found daylight around the left side, powering into the end zone from five yards out for the game’s first score. With the extra point good, Folsom led 7–0 before many fans had even settled in.
Whitney’s first offensive series ended quickly as Folsom’s defense—anchored by a dominant push from the line and sharp pursuit from the linebackers—forced a three-and-out. After the ensuing punt, Lyons went right back to work, moving the Bulldogs downfield with a long scramble and a pair of pinpoint throws. Facing second down inside the red zone, Lyons rolled right and found Bambino on a 10-yard toss that the senior turned into his second touchdown of the quarter, extending the lead to 14–0.
Folsom’s defense continued to swarm in the second quarter. Whitney’s only glimmer of hope came when defensive back Carson Floyd intercepted a pass near the goal line, halting what looked like another Bulldog scoring drive. But the Wildcats’ offense couldn’t capitalize, punting again after losing yardage.
The Bulldogs answered with another explosive drive. Lyons broke loose on a long keeper, weaving through defenders and setting up a goal-line chance that Bambino finished off for his second rushing touchdown of the night, pushing the lead to 20–0 midway through the quarter. Before halftime, Lyons connected with Jayden Padgett on a 17-yard strike in the corner of the end zone to make it 27–0 at the break, capping a dominant first half in which Folsom’s offense piled up more than 250 yards while its defense refused to give up a single point.
The highlight of the third quarter came on special teams when Daniel Eagleton fielded a punt near his own 20-yard line, dodged a wave of Whitney tacklers, and sprinted 80 yards down the sideline for a touchdown that sent the homecoming crowd into a roar and pushed the lead to 34–0. Whitney finally broke through late in the third with a short 6-yard rushing touchdown to make it 34–7, but Folsom’s response was immediate. On the next possession, Lyons dropped back and hit Jameson Powell in stride on a perfect deep ball for a 67-yard touchdown, pushing the score to 41–7 and effectively sealing the game.
In the fourth quarter, backup quarterback Brody Rudnicki stepped in and added another highlight, launching an 80-yard touchdown strike to Padgett for his second score of the game and the Bulldogs’ final touchdown of the night. Folsom’s defense did the rest, forcing multiple punts and intercepting a pass while holding Whitney under 150 total yards.
The halftime ceremony added to the night’s celebration as Travis Sky Gama and Noutrie Mounlaphasith were crowned Folsom’s Senior Homecoming King and Queen, drawing cheers from the packed stands. Students and alumni alike soaked in the atmosphere as the Bulldogs continued to dominate on the field.
See video highlights of Folsom’s Homecoming celebration here at @FolsomTImes
Friday’s victory keeps Folsom unbeaten in league play and solidifies its standing as one of Northern California’s top teams. As the Bulldogs head into the final stretch of the regular season, their sights remain fixed on another Sierra Foothill League title and a deep postseason run.
Oak Ridge powers past Monte Vista, 38–13
EL DORADO HILLS — The Oak Ridge Trojans put together one of their most complete performances of the season Friday night, rolling past Monte Vista of Danville 38–13 in a non-league matchup at Trojan Stadium.
Quarterback Nick Johnson led a sharp and balanced offensive attack that set the tone early as Oak Ridge built a 24–6 halftime lead. The Trojans’ defense backed up the effort, forcing multiple stops and controlling the tempo of the game throughout.
Special teams made a big impact in the third quarter when Jasen Womack delivered a 42-yard punt return for a touchdown that brought the home crowd to its feet. Just minutes later, Womack struck again, hauling in a touchdown pass from Johnson to extend the lead to 38–6.
Monte Vista managed one late touchdown to close the gap, but the Trojans’ defense quickly locked down to secure the win and improve their season record.
The victory marked another step forward for Oak Ridge as they continue to build momentum heading into league play, where consistency and balance have become defining traits for this year’s team.
Cordova shut out by Destiny Christian in tough road loss, 62–0
SACRAMENTO — It was a long night for the Cordova Lancers on Friday as Destiny Christian Academy controlled every phase of the game from start to finish, handing the visiting Lancers a 62–0 defeat in Sacramento.
Destiny Christian opened the game with explosive offensive plays and never looked back. On their first possession, quarterback Austin Pierce connected with Trey McGee for an 85-yard touchdown to set the tone. After Cordova went three-and-out on its first drive, Pierce struck again minutes later with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Johnson, quickly putting the Lions up 14–0.
The Lions’ defense added pressure early, forcing repeated punts and capitalizing on Cordova miscues. With just under five minutes left in the first quarter, Pierce found K’Aden Minor on a 50-yard strike to make it 20–0, followed by a two-point run from Jayden Shermer. Destiny Christian’s special teams then delivered another blow when Lance Lewis blocked a Cordova punt and returned it seven yards for a touchdown, capping a 29-point opening quarter.
Cordova showed flashes of life late in the first, highlighted by a long connection between Trey Wallace and Makhai Stewart that moved the Lancers inside the red zone. But Destiny Christian’s defense held firm, forcing a turnover on downs early in the second quarter.
The Lions extended their lead with a relentless ground attack, including an eight-yard touchdown run from Zion Ditmoreand a 20-yard scoring dash by Minor. Moments before halftime, Destiny Christian’s Nano Johnson intercepted a Cordova pass and returned it inside the 5-yard line, setting up a short touchdown pass from Pierce to Josiah “Deuce” Webb to make it 49–0 at the break.
Cordova’s struggles continued through the second half as penalties and defensive breakdowns kept the Lancers pinned deep in their own territory. Minor and Ditmore each added second-half rushing touchdowns, helping Destiny Christian finish off the 62–0 shutout.
With the loss, Cordova continues to search for consistency on both sides of the ball as league play enters its later stages. Despite the rough outing, the Lancers will look to regroup and build on their few offensive sparks as they prepare for next week’s matchup.
Granite Bay edges Rocklin in key league showdown, 29–20
GRANITE BAY — The Granite Bay Grizzlies came out on top in a hard-fought Sierra Foothill League matchup Friday night, holding off Rocklin 29–20 in front of a charged home crowd. The win improved the Grizzlies to 7–2 overall and 4–1 in league play, while Rocklin fell to 5–3 and 1–3 in league competition.
Granite Bay’s balanced offense delivered timely plays in both halves, and its defense held firm in critical moments to preserve the victory. With the win, the Grizzlies remain in the mix among the league’s top contenders heading into the final two weeks of the regular season.
Del Oro rallies past Jesuit for key Sierra Foothill League win
LOOMIS — Loomis’s Del Oro Golden Eagles continued their late-season surge Friday night, rallying in the second half to defeat Jesuit 29–16 in a tough Sierra Foothill League matchup on the road in Carmichael.
The Golden Eagles, who entered the game looking to keep pace in one of the region’s deepest leagues, started slow but came alive in the second quarter behind quarterback Nolen Sauve. After a scoreless first period, Sauve connected on a four-yard touchdown pass to Landen Parry to open the scoring. Running back Brennen Gibbs punched in the two-point conversion to give Del Oro an early 8–0 lead.
Jesuit quickly answered when running back Teddy Rios broke free for a 46-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 8–6. The Marauders stayed within striking distance throughout the half, but Sauve struck again before halftime with an 11-yard scoring pass to Gibbs, giving Del Oro a 15–6 advantage. Jesuit’s Yudiel Mondragon drilled a 42-yard field goal before the break to make it 15–9 at halftime.
The Marauders carried that momentum into the third quarter, taking their only lead of the night when Miles Hubbardpowered into the end zone from two yards out to make it 16–15. But Del Oro’s defense clamped down from there, holding Jesuit scoreless the rest of the way while the offense went back to work.
A long pass from Sauve to Ashton Greenhalgh set up a short touchdown run by Ty Sauve early in the fourth quarter, reclaiming the lead at 22–16. The Golden Eagles sealed the win with a late 8-yard touchdown by Brandon Alfonso and an interception by Chase Carmazzi in the closing minutes to finish off the Marauders.
Del Oro improves to 6–2 overall and remains in the hunt near the top of the Sierra Foothill League standings. Jesuit drops to 4–4 on the season and will look to regroup next week as league play continues.
Neither Vista del Lago nor Casa Roble took the field this week, as both programs were idle ahead of their return to league play next Friday.
Folsom Times Regional Scoreboard Oct. 17, 2025
Amador 51, Union Mine 18
Argonaut 49, Galt 14
Atwater 86, Golden Valley 23
Beyer 20, Pacheco 7
Calaveras 28, Big Valley Christian 0
Chavez 33, Weston Ranch F
Christian Brothers 50, Bella Vista 49
Colfax 45, Bear River 34
Delta 54, Valley 20
Del Oro 29, Jesuit 16
Destiny Christian Academy 62, Cordova 0
Downey 56, Modesto 14
Elk Grove 51, Sheldon 0
Fairfield 42, Foothill 6
Folsom 48, Whitney 7
Golden Sierra 45, Mesa Verde 14
Grace Davis 43, Ceres 10
Grant 49, Antelope 10
Granite Bay 29, Rocklin 20
Highlands 55, Elite 6
Inderkum 38, Woodcreek 35
Johansen 28, Central Valley 7
Kairos Public 22, West Campus 2
Kimball 28, Lodi 22
Laguna Creek 49, Davis Sr. 14
Lathrop 61, Livingston 27
Liberty Ranch 28, Bradshaw Christian 21
Linden 42, Riverbank 0
Lindhurst 28, Esparto 24
Los Banos 48, Buhach Colony 9
Manteca 56, East Union 20
Mira Loma 27, Foresthill 10
Monterey Trail 28, Franklin 10
Nevada Union 72, Del Campo 42
Oak Ridge 38, Monte Vista 13
Oakdale 60, Central Catholic 46
Patterson 56, Sierra 6
Placer 49, Yuba City 48
Pleasant Grove 40, Cosumnes Oaks 20
Ripon Christian 38, Escalon 8
Rio Americano 28, Ponderosa 14
Rio Linda 42, El Camino 6
Rosemont 19, El Dorado 16
Sonora 46, Ripon 20
Stagg 32, McNair 8
Summerville 2, Millennium F
Sutter 67, Natomas 0
Tokay 62, West 8
Tracy 48, Lincoln 26
Turlock 28, Pitman 14
Twelve Bridges 44, Roseville 34
Vacaville 42, Sacramento 13
Vacaville Christian 2, Turlock Christian F
Vanden 48, River City 14
Waterford 38, Delhi 6
West Park 49, McClatchy 0
Woodland Christian 54, Rio Vista 0
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