Bulldogs had full confidence in Rudnicki

How many football teams have as much confidence in their backup quarterback as they do their starting quarterback? I'd venture to guess not many. Every player on Folsom High's football team, however, had full confidence and were not worried when Brody Rudnicki, the team's backup quarterback, entered the Northern California I-AA bowl game after the team's starting quarterback, Ryder Lyons, suffered a shoulder injury with the Bulldogs trailing Riordan, 38-28 late in the third quarter. "I told everyone on their defense that he's just as good as Ryder," senior receiver Jameson Powell said. "When he came in my confidence didn't change a bit, because I knew he was going to ball." Junior receiver Rob Larson felt the same way. "There was no doubt in my mind, at all," Larson said. "When he went in, I didn't feel any different. He's a dude that works so hard every day in practice on the field and in the film room. He's got it dialed and he showed that tonight." Even senior defensive tackle Lua DeBerry wasn't worried. "I trust my guy Brody," DeBerry said. "He works hard, even though he's a backup, really hard. I had my full trust in him and I knew he'd make plays." Rudnicki, who has at least nine scholarship offers even though he's the backup quarterback, came in for Lyons and led the Bulldogs to two touchdowns and a come-from-behind 42-38 win over Riordan. Rudnicki completed all eight of his pass attempts for 82 yards and two scores, while also rushing eight times for 45 yards. "It's so awesome to see him be able to showcase what he does every single day at practice," Folsom High coach Paul Doherty said. "Number three (Lyons) has got his back and Number ten (Rudnicki) has got three's back. We've got an incredible quarterback room; it's as good as it get in the whole country. "Brody is the same every day, but those two kids are different kids. Those two are a great team and they make each other better and that's hard with them being quarterbacks and them competing and Lyons makes that happen. Because he watches Brody go out there and he admits Brody throws it better than he did on that route and then Ryder goes out there and throws it better than Brody. Every day they match each other." Rudnicki, like Lyons does all the time, gave the credit to his success to his teammates. "It's just confidence in my team," Rudnicki said. "This team is what makes me great and it's what makes Ryder great. Ryder is a great mentor and someone to look up two. I love competing with him and practicing with him every day." Lyons injured his left shoulder after a collision with Riordan's linebacker Isaiah Grant. His injury wasn't immediately known after the game. "It's his shoulder; I don't know if it's a broken collarbone or what; he has a hard time lifting his arm," Doherty said. "It might not be that bad, but he's going to go get it checked out right now." Naturally, if Lyons can't play in the state championship bowl game next weekend then Rudnicki will handle the duties. "I love this team and I love competing with them and there is nobody else I'd rather do it with," Rudnicki said. "I'm just going to enjoy this win and see what happens Monday. For Ryder's sake, I'm hoping it heals."