Bulldogs want another state title run

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. As dynamic as the Bulldogs were on offense last year, Folsom coach Paul Doherty didn't feel like the offense ever hit its stride. "Our offense was so different with running backs Day Rivera and Carter Jackson and tight ends Nela Tupou and EJ Coleman that I didn't feel like we as coaches did a good job of blending the run game and pass game," Doherty said. "We were so good on defense that it didn't matter. We were winning games by a ton and we just never got into a rhythm. "Going back to a traditional spread offense this year with four receivers, hopefully, we can score, play with the lead and give our defense opportunities, because I think it's been our defense giving our offense opportunities the last few years." 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. "I'm an offensive line coach, so sometimes it drives me crazy when Ryder gets out of the pocket and I'm like 'what is he doing.' Oh, he just threw a touchdown," Folsom coach Jordan Banning said. "Ryder has definitely matured and is locked in. I think he's a really good leader. The kids look up to him. He's definitely the type of kid you want leading your team. He's goofy sometimes, but he knows what this season means to him and to the team. He embraces that, and it doesn't make him nervous. He's got ice in his veins when it comes to game time. You can't coach that. He's really a special football player and we're lucky to have him." 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). "The line is looking good and I think we'll be really good this year," Coleman said. "We had a great offseason in the weight room. As a team, I think we'll be solid because we've got guys everywhere." Dyakonov echoed Coleman's thoughts. "Our offensive line will be great," Dyakonov said. "We've got a lot of good chemistry. I feel like we will have the best offense in the nation." 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." Added Banning, "Our first goal is to be successful in the regular season. Grant, Serra and Mission Viejo are huge tests. Everything after the section is icing on the cake. The goal is always state, but the postseason is so far out of your control. You're always beat up; fatigue sets in. You have no control over who or where you play. State is a lofty goal but it's a realistic goal and it's still attainable for us for sure." 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."