In their first game since claiming their 5th Division 1 State title, the Folsom Bulldogs started their 2024 season with a powerhouse non-conference game Friday night before a huge crowd that packed into Prairie City stadium to witness the match up.
The Bulldogs opponent was the Southern California Jackrabbits of Long Beach Poly. Long Beach Poly is currently the winningest team in state history with over 800 victories in a program that has won the CIF Southern Section title 20 times and has sent numerous players to the NFL.
Despite their stellar strength and record, the Jackrabbits couldn’t outrun the Bulldogs, or even keep up with them Friday night in Folsom as Folsom’s quarterback Ryder Lyons and the all star team that surrounds him took charge of their home field from the moment they made their grand entrance.
Folsom led 13-7 entering the second quarter and kept pushing, making it 20-7 with a touchdown by Damian Rivera. Lyons scored a 16-yard touchdown just before halftime, bringing the score to 27-7 heading into the locker room.
The game ended with the Bulldogs on top, 63-20. Lyons finished the with 182 yards and two TDs through the air, plus 10 carries for 83 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
a touchdown on the ground as well. Folsom Times photos by Bill Sullivan
The junior QB had to step out the game for short period when he injured his hand, according to Lyons the injury didn’t affect his game and shouldn’t moving forward. “The nail came off, and it’s a little swollen and sore, but it’s nothing,” said Lyons. “It’s my left hand, so I’ll be fine.”
Lyon’s credited the teams last few months of dedication and hard work for their strong start to the season, beating what is presently one of the toughest teams in the state.
“We’ve been working since January and it means everything,” Lyons said following the game. “Our defense played amazing. Our offensive line played amazing. So I’m just so immensely proud of this team.”
Long Beach wasn’t the only powerhouse Folsom will face in their pre-league season. In just one week they play Serra and Prairie City Stadium. The strong match ups early in the season help in preparing the team for their quest for another state title once they enter conference play in the coming weeks.
“We have a lot of kids on this team that can play football at a really high level, “said Foslom head Coach Paul Doherty. “How we progress, how mature we are and how we develop will really determine where we are in these next few weeks.”
Vista defeats Laguna Creek
Just up the hill Friday night, Vista del Lago kicked off their season at home in a non-league match up against Laguna Creek High School of Elk Groce.
The Eagles took control of their game early but the Cardinals kept within striking distance through all four quarters. In the end, the Vista Eagles start their season 1-0 overall after defeating the Cardinals 33-27.
Vista del Lago will play at home again next week as they host Bradshaw Christian.
Cordova defeats El Camino at home
Down the hill in Rancho Cordova, the Cordova Lancers started their season facing El Camino at home.
It was a sttong start for Big Red as they grounded the Eagles. The Lancers, who are now in the new Metropolitan League and looking to be a team to contend with this year, ended the night by a healthy margin, 37-12.
Cordova hits the road to face Mesa Verde next Friday for their second week of non-conference play.
Other regional game scores from week 1:
(Source: MaxPreps.com)
Here is the complete list with all scores included and sorted alphabetically by the first letter of each line:
Bear River 52, Lindhurst 27
Bradshaw Christian 27, Woodland Christian 6
Bullard 35, Golden Valley 0
Central Catholic 28, Pleasant Valley 21
Central Valley 27, Pitman 0
Delta 66, San Juan 18
Del Campo 34, Rosemont 7
Del Oro 14, Reed-Reno 28
Destiny Christian 26, Sheldon 6
Dos Palos 30, Los Banos 7
East Union 63, Elite 0
El Capitan 52, Hug-Reno 0
Franklin-Elk Grove 44, Johnson 6
Franklin-Stockton 41, River Islands 0
Granite Bay 34, Rio Americano 10
Gregori 47, Buhach Colony 12
Hughson 35, Ceres 7
Inderkum 27, Monterey Trail 21
Johansen 37, Modesto 0
Lathrop 28, Sierra 24
Lincoln 41, Rio Linda 13
Lodi 13, Tokay 0
Manteca 49, Elk Grove 9
McNair 40, Mountain House 20
Mesa Verde 28, Woodland 7
Nevada Union 21, Chico 14
Oakmont 27, Bella Vista 13
Orestimba 20, Gustine 6
Patterson 39, Merced 21
Placer 42, Casa Roble 20
Pioneer 35, Dixon 0
Rodriguez 53, Fremont 9
Roseville 48, Antelope 19
Sacramento 21, Woodcreek 14
Sonora 31, Oakdale 21
Summerville 24, Ripon Christian 21
Sutter 24, Argonaut 0
Turlock 28, Rocklin 41
Union Mine 29, McQueen 20
Vacaville 23, Escalon 21
Vacaville Christian 23, Foresthill 7
Vanden 35, Cosumnes Oaks 19
West Park 10, Whitney 7 (OT)
Wheatland 14, South Tahoe 8
Wood 26, Fairfield 25
Yosemite 42, Mariposa County 40
Yuba City 47, Marysville 19
More photos from opening night across Folsom Friday night. Photos by Bill Sullivan
Alan Inderkane is a student intern/contributor to Folsom Times and All Town Media LLC.