On a rain-drenching Friday night in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section semifinals, the Folsom Bulldogs and Oak Ridge Trojans both delivered dominant shutout victories to set up an all-local Division I championship showdown next week at Hughes Stadium on the campus of Sacramento City College.
Starting with the action at Prairie City Stadium where the rain was heavy Friday night, Folsom’s offense was fueled by star quarterback Ryder Lyons, who accounted for five touchdowns, including three on the ground and two through the air, as the Bulldogs overwhelmed Inderkum in a 45-0 rout.
Lyons opened the scoring late in the first quarter with a 27-yard rushing touchdown and added a two-point conversion to give Folsom an 8-0 lead. Early in the second quarter, Lyons struck again with a one-yard touchdown run, capping a methodical drive. Another two-point conversion extended the Bulldogs’ advantage to 16-0.
Folsom’s defense stifled Inderkum, repeatedly forcing turnovers and punts, while Lyons continued to pile on points. With four minutes remaining in the first half, Lyons broke free for a 38-yard touchdown, followed by another two-point conversion for a commanding 24-0 halftime lead.
The third quarter saw Lyons connect with Daymion Rivera for a 47-yard touchdown pass. Carter Jackson later added a 33-yard rushing score, and Lyons sealed the victory in the fourth with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Williams. The Bulldogs’ defense capped the shutout with a late fumble recovery deep in their own territory.
Oak Ridge shuts out Turlock 23-0
In El Dorado Hills, Oak Ridge Trojans also left no doubt in their CIF Sac-Joaquin Section semifinal matchup against Turlock, delivering a suffocating defensive performance and capitalizing on key offensive plays for a decisive 23-0 victory Friday.
Oak Ridge quarterback Joaquin Graves-Mercado orchestrated the offense efficiently despite adverse weather conditions, while the defense held Turlock’s prolific attack in check, allowing them to cross midfield just once all night.
The Trojans set the tone early with an opening-drive rushing touchdown by junior Jasen Womack, establishing a 7-0 lead that would prove insurmountable. Oak Ridge’s defense then took control, forcing multiple punts and shutting down Turlock’s attempts to find any rhythm.
Oak Ridge added to its lead with a safety, widening the gap to 9-0. Graves-Mercado extended the advantage in the second quarter, connecting with sophomore Isaac Pierce on a 23-yard touchdown pass to make it 16-0 at halftime.
In the second half, the conditions remained challenging as Mother Nature continued to roar and pour, but the Trojans continued to execute. Senior tight end Kaleb Edwards overcame early struggles with the slippery ball to haul in a second-half touchdown pass from Graves-Mercado, sealing the 23-0 victory.The Oak Ridge defense, led by standouts Kaleb Edwards, Ryan Hickey, Jevon Joseph, and Jasen Womack, played a nearly flawless game, ensuring that Turlock never mounted a serious threat.
With the wins, the Bulldogs and the Trojans advance to the Division I championship game. This will be the third time in the last two years the two teams have faced off, with Folsom taking wins in both games where both teams played well. Saturday’s game is set for 7 p.m. between the two.
Other regional games Friday night
Division II
Rocklin dominated Manteca in a decisive 30-7 victory, while Grant edged out St. Mary’s in a nail-biter, 28-21, earning both teams a spot in the finals.
Division III
Oakdale and Destiny Christian turned their matchup into a shootout, with Oakdale pulling ahead for a 49-35 win. Meanwhile, Vanden survived a defensive battle against West Park, securing a 14-7 victory.
Division IV
Twelve Bridges delivered a commanding performance, overwhelming Placer 43-7. Patterson also punched its ticket to the finals with a hard-fought 21-12 win over Sacramento. The championship game is set for Friday at 3 p.m. at Hughes Stadium.
Division V
Hughson handled Union Mine with a 22-8 victory, while Sutter eked out a narrow 21-19 win against Lathrop. These two will face off Saturday at 11 a.m., also at Hughes Stadium.
Division VI
Bradshaw Christian cruised to a 39-15 victory over Linden, continuing their impressive postseason run.