The Friday night lights were bright for the Folsom area this week, with all three local teams putting wins on the scoreboard as Vista del Lago broke through for its first victory of the season, Folsom remained unbeaten and Oak Ridge added another win on the road. Nearby Casa Roble was also under the lights in Orangevale, where the Rams faced a difficult night against Ponderosa.
For Vista, the win was the one the Eagles had been waiting for. After opening the season with losses to Granite Bay and Antelope, Vista put together its strongest performance yet, pulling away from Reed in the second half for a 42-23 victory at home and its first mark in the win column.
Folsom had a rockier road to victory in San Francisco. The Bulldogs threw three interceptions in the opening quarter against Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory but quickly erased the early trouble, scoring 35 unanswered points on their way to a 49-24 victory at Kezar Stadium. The win moved the defending state champions to 3-0.
Oak Ridge made it three wins for the area with a 28-21 victory over Crean Lutheran in Irvine. The Trojans jumped ahead 14-0 in the opening quarter, never surrendered the lead and held off the Saints in the fourth quarter to improve to 2-1.
Casa Roble rounded out the area action in Orangevale, where Ponderosa built a 43-7 halftime lead on its way to a 49-13 victory over the Rams. Cordova, meanwhile, had the week off after opening its season with two consecutive victories.
For the area’s programs, Friday brought several different storylines. Vista finally broke through, Folsom kept its perfect start intact, Oak Ridge came home with another victory and Casa Roble continued working through a difficult start as the season moves deeper into September.
Vista del Lago breaks through, pulls away from Reed 42-23
Vista del Lago broke through for its first victory of the season Friday night, overcoming an early deficit before taking control in the second half to defeat Reed 42-23 at home. The Eagles trailed twice during a competitive first half, but their offense continued to find answers while the defense repeatedly came up with fourth-down stops that eventually helped turn a five-point halftime advantage into a 19-point win.
Reed struck first on its opening possession, moving quickly from its own 42 into Vista territory before scoring on an 8-yard run. The extra point gave the Raiders an early 7-0 lead. Vista answered on its first possession, moving from its own 31 deep into Reed territory before finishing the drive with a touchdown pass. The extra point tied the game at 7-7 midway through the opening quarter. Reed moved back in front on its next possession, reaching the Vista red zone before kicking a 32-yard field goal to make it 10-7.
The Eagles’ defense began making an impact late in the first quarter and into the second. Vista recorded a sack to help force a Reed punt, then later stopped the Raiders on downs after Reed began a possession at the Vista 34. The Eagles took over at their own 30 and quickly flipped the field with a long pass that reached the Reed 3-yard line. Vista finished the drive with a rushing touchdown, and the extra point gave the Eagles their first lead of the night, 14-10.
Reed answered again, driving into Vista territory and scoring on a 10-yard touchdown run. The extra point was missed, leaving Reed with a 16-14 advantage. Vista then mounted one of its most important drives of the first half, moving into Reed territory and converting twice on fourth down to keep the possession alive. The Eagles finished the drive with a touchdown pass and added the extra point to regain the lead, 21-16.
Vista’s defense delivered another key stop before halftime. Reed crossed midfield in the final minutes of the second quarter but was stopped on fourth down at the Vista 42. The Eagles took over and moved quickly the other way, completing a long pass to the Reed 22 with only seconds remaining. A field-goal attempt missed as the half ended, sending Vista into the locker room with a 21-16 lead despite five dropped passes that had stalled promising possessions earlier in the night.
Vista opened the second half with perhaps its most important offensive statement of the game. The Eagles took the kickoff and drove immediately into Reed territory, eventually scoring on a 22-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 28-16. Reed refused to go away, however, answering with a long run that helped set up a 15-yard touchdown run. The extra point trimmed Vista’s lead to 28-23.
From that point, the game belonged to the Eagles. Vista’s next possession stalled near midfield, but its defense prevented Reed from capitalizing. The Raiders drove from their own 15 all the way to the Vista 27 before the possession carried into the fourth quarter. Facing fourth down, Reed was stopped again, giving Vista possession and preserving the five-point advantage.
The Eagles responded with a long, methodical fourth-quarter drive. Vista moved from its own 27 across midfield and converted a fourth-down play at the Reed 27 to keep the possession alive. The Eagles eventually reached the red zone and scored on another touchdown pass, stretching their advantage to 35-23 with a little more than eight minutes remaining.
Reed’s next possession ended almost immediately. Vista forced another turnover on downs at the Reed 40, giving the Eagles a short field and an opportunity to put the game away. Vista marched to the 1-yard line and, after being stopped short on consecutive snaps, punched the ball across on fourth down for its sixth touchdown of the night. The extra point made it 42-23 with just over four minutes remaining.
The Eagles’ defense closed things out from there, forcing Reed to punt on its final possession. Vista took over near midfield, moved the ball inside the Reed 25 and ran out the remaining time to secure its first win of the season. Vista scored six touchdowns — four through the air and two on the ground — with three coming after halftime as the Eagles outscored Reed 21-7 over the final two quarters.
Reed turned the ball over on downs three times, including twice during a second half in which Vista steadily pulled away. The 42-23 victory marked Vista del Lago’s first win of the season after opening the year with losses to Granite Bay and Antelope, giving the Eagles a needed breakthrough at home and improving their record to 1-2. (Vista Game Photos to come)
Folsom shakes off early turnovers, rolls past Sacred Heart Cathedral 49-24
Folsom had to overcome an uncharacteristically rocky opening quarter Friday night, but once the Bulldogs settled in, the defending state champions steadily took control and rolled past Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory 49-24 at Kezar Stadium. The victory kept Folsom unbeaten at 3-0 following wins over Cardinal Newman and Mission Viejo to open the season.
The night certainly didn’t begin according to plan. Folsom was intercepted on its opening possession, giving Sacred Heart Cathedral the ball at the Bulldogs’ 30. The Fighting Irish quickly capitalized with a 19-yard touchdown pass and the extra point to take a 7-0 lead.
Folsom answered on its next possession. Starting with favorable field position, the Bulldogs moved inside the Sacred Heart Cathedral 10 before scoring on a 5-yard touchdown pass. The extra point tied the game at 7-7.
The turnover problems continued for Folsom during the remainder of the first quarter. Sacred Heart Cathedral intercepted another pass near midfield and drove deep into Bulldogs territory before settling for a 33-yard field goal and a 10-7 advantage. Folsom was intercepted for a third time later in the quarter, but this time the Bulldogs’ defense supplied the response that changed the momentum of the game.
Folsom recovered a fumble and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown, suddenly putting the Bulldogs in front 14-10 despite their early offensive miscues. Folsom carried that four-point advantage into the second quarter and never trailed again.
The Bulldogs began creating separation early in the second. After taking possession near midfield, Folsom drove inside the Sacred Heart Cathedral 5 before finishing the possession with a 2-yard touchdown run. The extra point stretched the lead to 21-10.
Folsom’s defense continued to make life difficult for the Fighting Irish. A sack pushed Sacred Heart Cathedral backward and helped force another punt, giving the Bulldogs excellent field position at the Fighting Irish 27. Folsom took advantage, driving inside the 5 before scoring on a 3-yard run. The extra point made it 28-10.
Sacred Heart Cathedral attempted to answer before halftime and moved across midfield in the closing minutes. The Fighting Irish reached the Folsom 23, but the Bulldogs kept them out of the end zone and carried an 18-point advantage into halftime.
Folsom picked up where it left off after the break. The Bulldogs’ defense stopped Sacred Heart Cathedral on downs on the opening possession of the third quarter, giving the offense the ball at the Fighting Irish 41. A long completion immediately moved Folsom to the 9, and the Bulldogs finished the short drive with another rushing touchdown. The extra point increased the lead to 35-10.
The Bulldogs struck again on their next possession. After taking over at their own 46, Folsom moved into Sacred Heart Cathedral territory and connected on a 26-yard touchdown pass. Another successful extra point pushed the Bulldogs’ advantage to 42-10 midway through the third quarter.
Sacred Heart Cathedral finally broke through again late in the third, finishing a drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass and adding the extra point to make it 42-17. Folsom moved back into Fighting Irish territory before the quarter ended but eventually turned the ball over on downs early in the fourth.
Sacred Heart Cathedral added another touchdown midway through the final period to trim Folsom’s lead to 42-24, but the Bulldogs answered with one final scoring drive. Folsom broke loose for a 20-yard touchdown run with just over two minutes remaining, and the extra point closed the scoring at 49-24.
The final margin reflected just how dramatically the game changed after Folsom’s slow opening. Sacred Heart Cathedral led 10-7 after benefiting from three Folsom interceptions, but the Bulldogs responded by scoring 35 consecutive points to build a 42-10 advantage in the third quarter.
Folsom’s offense produced touchdowns through the air and on the ground, while the defense supplied a touchdown of its own on the 30-yard fumble return. The Bulldogs’ defense also produced a sack and several stops that repeatedly gave the offense favorable field position.
Folsom improved to 3-0 with the victory, continuing an unbeaten start that has included three very different tests. The Bulldogs needed overtime to survive Cardinal Newman in their opener, controlled much of the night in a 35-21 victory over Mission Viejo and then overcame three early interceptions Friday to pull away decisively from Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Oak Ridge builds early lead, holds off Crean Lutheran 28-21
Oak Ridge made an early lead stand up Friday night, building a two-touchdown advantage in the opening quarter and holding off Crean Lutheran down the stretch for a 28-21 road victory. The win improved the Trojans to 2-1 on the season and completed a winning Friday night for the Folsom area’s three local programs.
The Trojans established control early, scoring twice in the first quarter and converting both extra points to take a 14-0 advantage. The available scoring report does not include details from Oak Ridge’s first touchdown, while the second came on the ground to put the Trojans up by two scores before the opening quarter ended.
Crean Lutheran began cutting into the deficit early in the second quarter. Quarterback Caden Jones connected with Braylen Ross for a 22-yard touchdown pass, and Caleb Bey Jr. followed with a successful 2-point conversion to make it 14-8. Oak Ridge answered with a touchdown pass of its own and added the extra point, restoring a 21-8 advantage.
The Saints responded again before halftime, with Jones finding Da’mari Hall for a 20-yard touchdown pass. Eric Miao converted the extra point, pulling Crean Lutheran within 21-15. Neither team scored again before the break, leaving Oak Ridge with a six-point advantage at halftime.
Defense took over during the third quarter, with neither team finding the end zone as the 21-15 score carried into the fourth. Oak Ridge finally broke through again in the final period with a rushing touchdown and successful extra point, extending its lead to 28-15 and forcing Crean Lutheran to play from two scores behind.
The Saints made one final push late in the game, scoring on the ground to cut Oak Ridge’s advantage to 28-21. The ensuing extra-point attempt was missed, however, leaving the Trojans with a seven-point lead that held through the final whistle.
Oak Ridge scored touchdowns in three of the four quarters and did not allow Crean Lutheran to ever pull even after establishing its 14-0 first-quarter advantage. The Trojans’ defense was especially effective coming out of halftime, holding the Saints scoreless throughout the third quarter before the offense provided what proved to be the decisive fourth-quarter touchdown.
Casa Roble falls to Ponderosa 49-13
Casa Roble was unable to find the same success Friday night in Orangevale, as Ponderosa built a commanding first-half advantage and handed the Rams a 49-13 nonleague loss. The Bruins led 43-7 by halftime, leaving Casa Roble with a sizable deficit to overcome over the final two quarters.
Ponderosa added to its lead immediately after halftime with a blocked punt returned for a touchdown, pushing the margin to 49-7. The extra-point attempt was missed, but the special-teams score put the Bruins ahead by 42 points early in the third quarter.
Casa Roble answered with a rushing touchdown of its own in the third quarter to make it 49-13. The Rams attempted a 2-point conversion following the score but were unable to convert, and neither team scored again the rest of the way.
The Rams continued battling into the fourth quarter and advanced as far as the Ponderosa 36 on one late possession, but the deficit proved too large to overcome. The 49-13 final sent Casa Roble into its upcoming bye week still searching for its first victory of the season.
Looking ahead: Folsom and Cordova return, Vista, Oak Ridge and Casa Roble take a week off
While Vista del Lago, Folsom, Oak Ridge and Casa Roble were all in action Friday night, Cordova had the week off. The Lancers entered their bye at 2-0 after opening the season with victories over Sheldon and Kennedy, and they return to action Friday, Sept. 18, with a 7 p.m. road game against Rio Americano.
Folsom will also be back on the field next Friday. The 3-0 Bulldogs travel to Sacramento to face Inderkum at 7:15 p.m. Sept. 18 before returning home Sept. 25 to open Sierra Foothill League play against Rocklin.
Vista gets a week to enjoy its first victory before returning to action Sept. 25. The Eagles will travel to Bella Vista for a 7:30 p.m. game as they look to build on Friday’s breakthrough and even their record at 2-2.
Oak Ridge also has a bye next week following its victory over Crean Lutheran. The 2-1 Trojans return Sept. 25 when they host Del Oro at 7 p.m. to begin Sierra Foothill League play.
Casa Roble joins Vista and Oak Ridge with a week off before returning to the field Sept. 25. The Rams will be back at home in Orangevale to face Sutter at 7:15 p.m. in their Golden Empire League opener.
That leaves Folsom and Cordova carrying the local football schedule next Friday before Vista, Oak Ridge and Casa Roble join them back on the field Sept. 25.
Sac-Joaquin Section High School Football Scores
Adventure Christian 59, Delta 8
Amador 28, Denair 20
Big Valley Christian 56, Gustine 20
Bradshaw Christian 44, Wheatland 18
Central Catholic 28, St. Bonaventure 19
Central East-Fresno 56, Turlock 7
Christian Brothers 49, Nevada Union 22
Colfax 21, Dixon 7
Deer Valley 34, Mountain House 0
Del Oro 44, Foothill-Palo Cedro 6
Destiny Christian Academy 10, Yuba City 9
Dos Palos 33, Pacheco 0
Downey 60, Merced 44
Dublin 34, Elk Grove 21
East Nicolaus 40, Marysville 14
East Union 36, Johansen 6
Escalon 21, Oakdale 14
Esparto 45, San Juan 12
Folsom 49, Sacred Heart Prep 24
Foresthill 12, Millenium 6
Galt 42, Natomas 25
Grant 31, Lincoln-Stockton 6
Hilmar 24, Palma 21
Jesuit 28, Chico 14
Johnson 59, Weston Ranch 7
Linden 28, Golden Valley 14
Lindhurst 27, Lower Lake 14
Lodi 24, Sheldon 6
Los Banos 41, Biggs 0
Marin Catholic 36, Edison 31
Mariposa County 49, Bret Harte 0
McClatchy 41, Davis 0
McNair 47, Ceres 14
Mira Lima 52, Vacaville Christian 21
Oak Ridge 28, Crean Lutheran-Irvine 21
Patterson 27, Hughson 20
Placer 34, Laguna Creek 28
Ponderosa 49, Casa Roble 13
Rio Vista 48, Highlands 26
Ripon 49, Pitman 10
River City 27, Cosumnes Oaks 15
River Islands 46, Modesto Christian 20
Riverbank 40, Albany 6
Rocklin 45, Pleasant Valley 0
Serra-San Mateo 21, St. Mary’s 7
Stagg 34, Grace Davis 7
Stone Ridge 35, Summerville 27
Tokay 22, Pleasant Grove 19
Tracy 56, Lathrop 0
Union Mine 34, Bear River 33
Valley 47, West Campus 12
Valley Christian-Roseville 40, Florin 16
Vanden 28, West Covina 21
Vista del Lago 42, Reed-Reno 23
West Park 35, Roseville 16
Whitney 35, Twelve Bridges 34
Winters 31, Woodland Christian 28
Woodcreek 63, Sonora 13
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