MaxPreps 2013 Preseason Xcellent 25 Football preview: No. 19 Folsom

The last game of 2012 for Folsom (Calif.) ended up a lot like the other 14 — one-sided with a final margin of 30-plus.

But there was one huge difference. For the first time all year, Folsom was on the wrong end of the blowout.

In one of the most anticipated prep games in Sacramento-area history, Sac-Joaquin Section Division II champion Folsom was selected to take on national powerhouse De La Salle (Concord) at Sacramento State in the CIF North Region Open Division final.

Folsom, which had beaten its previous 14 opponents by an average margin of 27 points, was dominated from the start by an athletic, disciplined De La Salle squad that more than lived up to its national ranking.



The 49-15 loss was foreign and difficult for the Bulldogs but, with nearly all of their key players returning, that loss may provide extra motivation that takes the 2013 Folsom football team to the next level.

See the entire Preseason Xcellent 25

Leading the charge will be young leader Jake Browning, who announced his presence early last season by tying the California record with 10 touchdown passes in a single game before going on to be named a MaxPreps Sophomore All-American.

Including Browning, the Bulldogs return 14 starters from last year's squad. The dynamic offense that put up nearly 45 points per game last season will remain largely intact, with the return of leading receiver Troy Knox and leading rushers Bailey Laolagi and Harry Lipnosky.

The defense, which was largely overlooked last season due to the prolific offense, loses sack leader Quincy Capel to graduation, but returns six starters including linemen Cody Creason and Sam Whitney.

The secondary, which compiled 10 interceptions last season, will be led by senior Rodney Ellison and junior Jake Morgado.



With an extra year of experience and a sparkling offensive system, Folsom has gone from a local power in 2012 to a national contender in 2013.

See the entire Folsom football photo gallery

Local look: "The Bulldogs are the clear top-ranked team in the Sac-Joaquin Section, and perhaps in all of Northern California behind De La Salle, which ended Folsom's 14-0 start last season. That crushing loss to De La Salle has served to better mold the Bulldogs, who realized to be the best, sometimes you have to be thumped by the best. Great coaching staff, great system, great players in place for another title run."
- Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee (@SacBee_JoeD)
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School size: Division II

Enrollment: 1,800 (approx.)

2012 finish: 14-1, Lost to De La Salle in NorCal Open Division Championship

Co-Head Coaches: Kris Richardson and Troy Taylor

Richardson's career record: 76-21-1



Richardson's years at school: 19

Notable players coached:
Ryan Rau (Portland State, NFL)

Jordan Richards (Stanford)

Dano Graves (Cal Poly)
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No. of returning starters: 8 (offense), 6 (defense)

Key losses:

WR Lucas Owan

WR/CB Phillip Carter



LB Derek Stiles

DL Quincy Capel


Key returners:

QB Jake Browning

WR Troy Knox

LB/RB Bailey Laolagi



OT/DL Cody Creason

DE/OL Sam Whitney

WR/SS Rodney Ellison

RB Harry Lipnosky

WR Josiah Deguara

WR/FS Jake Morgado




Key newcomers:

DE Lukas Hendricks

SS/WR Cole Thompson

LB/RB Bryan Weldy

LB/RB Sam Whittingham

CB/WR Calvin Gardner
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Toughest game: While Pleasant Grove and Oak Ridge, last year's Sac-Joaquin Section Division I runner-up, will provide tough tests, the early-season showdown with last year's California Division I state champion Granite Bay will be Folsom's true test.



Question mark: Last year, Folsom steamrolled the competition before running into a buzzsaw De La Salle squad. Will the Bulldogs get enough early tests to ready them for their potential Bowl Game opponents?

Local outlook: Folsom's schedule is almost entirely local, which may draw criticism when it comes to national rankings. But Pleasant Grove, Oak Ridge and Granite Bay are power programs that will test the Bulldogs.

Overall outlook: There is no question that the Bulldogs will put up points — a lot of them. Browning is electric on the field and is surrounded by plenty of weapons. The defense will have to keep the Bulldogs in the game against tougher opponents, but it's hard to bet against Folsom in a shootout with just about anyone.

Coach quote: "Coming off of a 14-1 section championship season with our only loss being to De La Salle, we believe we will be a better football team. Last season we had eight sophomores who started or logged substantial playing time. Our JV team went undefeated and were league champs."
- Co-head coach Kris Richardson
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