Folsom Battles Cathedral Catholic in CIF 1-AA State Championship: Updates & Highlights
Folsom and Cathedral Catholic clashed in the CIF Division 1-AA state championship on Friday night at Saddleback College. The game commenced at 8 p.m. PT, featuring two formidable high school football teams with impressive records. Folsom entered the championship with a 13-1 record, while Cathedral Catholic boasted an 11-2 record after a successful run through the Southern California bracket.
Game Highlights
Folsom faced uncertainty leading up to the game due to the potential absence of their star quarterback, Ryder Lyons. He suffered a left shoulder injury during a crucial moment against Archbishop Riordan in the NorCal Division 1-AA championship. Despite trailing by 10 points when Lyons exited, junior quarterback Brody Rudnicki stepped up, leading a remarkable comeback victory with a 42-38 score. Rudnicki’s impressive performance included a 50-yard run and two fourth-quarter touchdown passes, all while the defense maintained a scoreless second half against their opponents.
Key Players for Folsom
- Ryder Lyons: Senior QB, BYU commit. He has 10,074 career passing yards and 120 touchdowns.
- Brody Rudnicki: Junior QB, 855 passing yards and 11 touchdowns in the current season.
- Jameson Powell: Senior WR, signed with Oregon State, recorded 171 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the championship.
- Isaiah Williams: Senior WR, Nevada signee with 52 receptions and 647 yards this season.
Catholic’s Road to the Championship
Catholic Catholic reached the championship by defeating Los Alamitos 42-21. Their balanced offensive attack has been a constant throughout the season, with multiple decisive victories. Notably, they won six games by over 20 points.
Key Players for Cathedral Catholic
- Honor Faalave: Junior RB, recognized as California’s No. 1 recruit for 2027, amassed 1,265 yards and 21 touchdowns.
- Brady Palmer: Senior QB, recorded 2,323 passing yards and 22 touchdowns this season.
- Isaac Cook: Junior WR, 49 receptions for 1,242 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Weather Conditions Affecting the Game
The championship was marked by dense fog, reportedly the worst experienced in years, which posed challenges for visibility. Despite these conditions, Folsom won the toss and quickly collaborated on a solid offensive drive, culminating in a touchdown led by Rudnicki.
Initial Score Insights
The opening drive for Folsom resulted in a 7-0 lead following a 64-yard touchdown march. Rudnicki completed the drive with a short rushing touchdown. Shortly after, Folsom extended their lead to 14-0 with a 32-yard touchdown pass.
As the game progressed, the intensity grew as both teams showcased their strengths. Fans eagerly awaited how the match would unfold between these two championship contenders.
