A little rain and cold weather can’t keep the Folsom Bulldogs football team and their local fans from having a party and that’s exactly what they did Wednesday night in Historic Folsom. 

Although their competitive season officially came to an end in December, the Bulldogs were still packed with energy Wednesday night at the Zittel Family Amphitheater as they held their official community celebration of their fifth Division 1-A State Championship title. 

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Wednesday’s event opened with the performing of the National Anthem prior to Bulldogs football announced PJ Peterson leading the event as the emcee. Folsom High School Principal Howard Cadenhead was one of the many speakers with the likes of FCUSD School Board member Christopher Clark, Vice Mayor Sarah Aquino and others. 

The speakers were all part of a large contingent of dignitaries who attended the event, including City Manager Elaine Andersen, School Board President David Reid, councilmembers YK Chalamcherla, Rosario Rodriguez and others. 

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Members of the Folsom Bulldogs football team joined the festivities on stage after the many speakers as head coach Paul Doherty called them up one at a time and acknowledges their contributions to the team as they quickly consumed the entire stage with the likes of the coaching staff, the cheer team and additional school staff.

The Folsom Bulldogs won their 5th State Championship title Dec, 9 when they defeated St. Bonaventure High School 20-14 at Saddleback College in Southern California and ended their season 12-2, scoring their first title under head coach Paul Doherty. The Bulldogs previously won state titles in 2018, 2017, 2014 and 2010. 

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The event started at 6:30 p.m. as light rain was still falling. The wet stuff didn’t daunt the attendees, many of which popped out the umbrellas and rain gear, and others that just endured the elements Mother Nature chose to drop on the resilient team and dedicated fans that stuck it out until close to 8 p.m. to relish the moment, drenched and all. 

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The event was presented collaboratively thanks to the efforts of the Folsom High School Athletic Boosters, the Folsom Historic District, The City of Folsom, and the Folsom Cordova Unified School District.

Bill Sullivan
Author: Bill Sullivan

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