If anyone doubted the prowess of the Prep2Prep Sac-Joaquin Section No. 1 Folsom Bulldogs, or that they are the top dog in the Sacramento metro area right now, the way the hosts treated a pretty solid SJS No. 12 Rocklin team in a 46-3 rout should silence the naysayers and critics.
With the victory Folsom (9-0, 5-0) Sierra Foothill League) continues its unbeaten streak since joining the SFL in 2014 by winning its 23rd consecutive league game. It now sets up a showdown with unbeaten P2P SJS No. 2 Oak Ride next week for the league title and likely the No. 1 seed in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 1 playoffs.
Standout junior quarterback Kaiden Bennett had his usual exceptional game for three quarters (11 of 16 passing for 252 yards, three TDs) but in the game it was about the Ngata brothers. Daniyel Ngata, a 5-9, 180-pound sophomore, took the opening kickoff 96 yards for a TD and then on the Bulldogs’ first play from scrimmage he got to the outside and blew past everyone for a 51-yard touchdown. He also had an 8-yard TD run in the second quarter. His older brother Joe Ngata, a 6-3, 205-pound junior, had three catches for 94 yards and two of the three went for TDs of 75-and 4-yards.
At this point Folsom has outscored its five SFL opponents 234-41, and if as venerable Sacramento Bee scribe Joe Davidson is correct the SFL is the best league in Northern California, then the Bulldogs have been pretty darn impressive.
Even so, after the Rocklin win Folsom Coach Kris Richardson told the Bee a concern he and his coaches and the team’s leaders will address this week is any thought of complacency or taking Oak Ridge lightly.
Oak Ridge dispatches Nevada Union to set up showdown with Folsom
The Trojans (9-0, 5-0 Sierra Foothill League) were expected to use Nevada Union as a veritable scrimmage for their match-up with Folsom this week and that’s exactly what happened in a 48-14 road win in Grass Valley.
As usual Marco Baldacchino did his thing and others got into the act as well. The senior dual-threat quarterback rushed for 125 yards and two TDs and passed for a third to Austin Jarrard on one of only four passes he threw in the game.
Senior Braeden Anderson recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown and then made his first reception of the season on a 38-yard halfback option TD pass from Justin Poerio.
Nevada Union (2-8, 0-6) got two late scores and with a bye this week their season is over.
For Oak Ridge it’s a chance to end the Folsom league winning streak at home in a battle of the top two teams and quarterbacks in the section.
Jesuit hold upper hand in Delta League
Monterey Trail was coming off two impressive wins over Grant and Elk Grove, but against the Marauders the Mustangs were looking like a horse of a different color after being trounced 34-7 at home against Jesuit.
With the victory Jesuit (7-2, 6-0 Delta League) now needs to beat Grant next week to win the Delta title outright if 5-1 Sheldon, a 28-0 winner over Pleasant Grove last week, beats Elk Grove on the road this Friday.
In the win over Monterey Trail not only did the offense do its thing but the defense got into the act by blocking a punt and forcing six turnovers, one of which was a 50-yard interception return for a TD by Jason Gallagher. Standout junior running back Isaiah Rutherford rushed for TDs of 60 and 25 yards to give him 12 rushing touchdowns this season.
Monterey Trail (5-4, 3-3) is into the SJS playoffs but would like to regain some momentum with a win this Friday at Davis.