No. 19 Folsom (Calif.) - Team preview / Preseason photo gallery
Strengths: Jake Browning had an unprecedented debut as a sophomore,
throwing for 10 touchdown passes in his first varsity start. The fact that he's back is reason enough for Folsom fans to be optimistic, but he brings with him seven other returning starters on offense, including receivers
Troy Knox,
Rodney Ellison and
Jake Morgado. Running back
Bailey Laolagi is another key returner, as he went for 793 yards and 13 scores last year while also keeping defenses honest.
Eddie Flores, the team's second-leading tackler a year ago, is back for his senior season. Laolagi doubles as a linebacker.
Question marks: Despite returning six starters on defense, there are still big shoes to fill, particularly with the loss of linebackers Chaz Arnold and Derek Stiles, who combined for more than 150 tackles. Despite some impressive point totals to begin the 2012 season, the question that faces Folsom each fall is how quickly its offense can click. Over the last three seasons, Folsom's record is only 2-2 in August games. Granted, both losses were at the hands of another NorCal powerhouse, Grant. But the point remains that offensive rhythm can be hard to cultivate early on for any team, let alone one that relies on the precision of Folsom's air attack.
Outlook: For as strong as Folsom should be this fall, the Bulldogs could be even better next year, a scary proposition for Sac-Joaquin Section foes. To play for a CIF Bowl Game, which it did in 2011, Folsom will likely need to get past De La Salle, which prevailed easily, 49-15,
when the teams met last December.
