Bulldogs back to make run at state title

Last year's loss to Pittsburg in the Nor-Cal title game has left a bitter taste in the mouths of Folsom High's football players. The Bulldogs led the game 21-0 and let it slip away and lost, 28-27, losing a chance to play for a second straight state championship. Quarterback Ryder Lyons, a Brigham Young commit, is back for his senior year and wants nothing more than another state championship, as do all the Bulldogs. With seven starters returning on offense, Folsom should be at potent as ever, as they shift back to a true spread offense, as last year they played with a tight end. Lyons didn't throw for as many yards last season as he did as a sophomore (3,578 to 3,011) but did throw for more touchdowns (46 to 38). His interceptions and completion percentage were basically the same. With three of his top-four receivers returning, developing chemistry with his receivers shouldn't be a problem. Seniors Jameson Powell and Isaiah Williams and junior Rob Larson return. Powell caught 68 balls for 920 yards and 16 touchdowns a year ago, while Williams caught 29 for 377 yards and three touchdowns. Powell's numbers this year should be closer to his sophomore season when he caught 86 passes for 1,231 yards. Larson's numbers (23 catches, 503 yards, 5 TDs) should increase as well. Other receivers expected to contribute include Jayden Padgett, and Jason Hill Jr. "Our offense will be great this year," Powell said. "Way better than the last couple years. Last year we had a lot of great people on the team that it was hard to adjust everybody, but this year I feel like our chemistry will be much better. We've got a lot of depth at receiver and I feel like it's going to be a good year for our receivers." In the backfield, the Bulldogs will hand the ball off to Joseph Eyerman VI, as it's his turn to take over the ground game. Last season he rushed the ball 10 times for 128 yards and two scores. Jake Lawhorn and Bronson Bambino also look to carry the ball this season. The Bulldogs return three starters on the offensive line and they're all big dudes: junior center Zach Ramirez (6-5, 340), junior tackle Malachi Coleman (6-2, 250) and senior tackle and USC commit Vlad Dyakonov (6-6, 265). Starting alongside those guys will be junior guards Joey Garcia (6-2, 250) Donovan Cochran (6-3, 315). With only two or three players returning on defense, the outsider might think the weakness of Folsom's High's football team this season will be defense. However, Doherty is not concerned about losing so many players to graduation last year. "I'm not concerned about our defense," Doherty said. "On paper, that's the group that has the most to prove, but they're coached so well on that side of the ball. Coach Irsik does a great job of putting guys in positions to be successful. He plays to their strength, and he's incredibly versatile." Folsom's top returner is Lua DeBerry-Tupou on the line. Last year, DeBerry-Tupou was the team's third-leading tackler with 50 and led the team with tackles for a lost with 15.5. His size at 6-3, 255, and strength made him a tough guy to block. He's back for his senior year and is ready to wreak havoc. Fellow lineman Ryan Hardeman (6-1, 215) broke his leg in the first game of the season a year ago. He's hungry to have a huge senior year and has the capability of doing so. Another player who saw the field last year is senior August Dupree. (6-3, 225). "Our defensive line is really good, better than most years," Defensive Coordinator Jordan Irsik said. "Lua is the best defensive linemen in the section, Ryan Hardeman is a phenomenal player and August Dupree is back having played a lot of snaps last year. "We've got two newcomers in Gabe Anderson and Dante Kendrick who figure to make an impact." Coleman is the new middle linebacker and lining up next to him will be senior Dylan Wolfe and junior Nick Wegner. "This is a revamped group," Irsik said. "EJ had a great offseason and he's a D-I caliber player. He will do a good job for us. Nick had a great offseason in the weight room; he's super intelligent and we're excited about him. Dylan gives us a little more dynamic ability. He can do a lot of things." The Bulldogs are high on their secondary, as Hill Jr. and Brooks Dupree return. At safety the Bulldogs will have Matsen Wurm and Daniel Eagleton. "Having Jason back is good," Irsik said. "He's committed to Stanford. He's super intelligent and is starting to be a vocal leader. Wurm is also an intelligent player and a good leader who plays downhill and is physical. "Daniel started a playoff game at corner for us last year. He'll play safety for us and he's a long and rangy kid that's got good ball skills. Brooks is another corner, as is Travis Beatty and both are really good players. Travis brings a different element to us in that he's faster than any corner we've had in the past." Irsik is confident in the group. "The defense has grown a lot in the offseason," Irsik said. "They had a really good offseason in the weight room. They learned the system and they're figuring out how to be leaders. They're a little green, but they're a talented group. I think they will surprise people with how they do. I have confidence in them." The Bulldogs have one goal in mind and that's the win a state championship. "The goal is the same as last year; compete at a high level, execute and don't lose any games," Lyons said. "We're good, fast, physical and mature and we've got good chemistry. "I've got some individual goals I want to achieve, but team-wise, I want to compete, execute and win." Said Dyakonov, "We've got to stay consistent and we've got to stay healthy. We've all got the same goal in mind and that's to get to state and we'll do whatever it takes."