The Folsom varsity football team will face Downey in a neutral-site playoff game today at 7 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football Playoffs – Division 1 tournament, where both teams will compete for a chance to advance further in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football
Who: Downey vs Folsom East
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football Playoffs – Division 1
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Folsom vs. Downey

As the 2024 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football Playoffs unfold, one of the most anticipated matchups is between the Folsom Bulldogs and the Downey Knights. With both teams having dominant regular seasons, this game promises to be a thrilling contest between two of the region’s best football programs.

Downey: A Strong Contender with a High-Powered Offense

Downey enters the postseason with an impressive 10-1 record, having only one loss all season. Their 4-1 league record and perfect 6-0 home performance speak to their dominance, with their offense posting a remarkable 499 points (PF) over the course of the season. Downey’s offense has been consistently strong, averaging 45.4 points per game, with standout performances in the first quarter (18.3 points) and fourth quarter (11.7 points). While the Knights excel early and late in games, they also maintained solid scoring throughout, particularly in the third quarter (11.0 points). However, their defense has allowed 286 points (PA), a potential weak spot against a potent offense like Folsom’s.

Folsom: Undefeated League Champions with a Stingy Defense

Folsom, ranked 37th nationally, has been just as impressive, finishing the regular season with a 9-1 record. The Bulldogs were perfect in league play, going 7-0, and showed their prowess both at home (5-1) and on the road (4-0). Their 457 points (PF) reflect a high-scoring offense, averaging 45.7 points per game, just slightly above Downey. Folsom’s offense has been especially dominant in the second quarter, scoring an average of 18.1 points. On the other hand, the Bulldogs’ defense has been a standout, allowing just 104 points (PA) all season, which could give them an edge over Downey’s high-scoring offense. Folsom’s balance between offense and defense makes them a well-rounded team heading into this pivotal playoff game.

Game Outlook: Downey’s Offensive Firepower vs. Folsom’s Balanced Attack

This game features two teams that have been explosive offensively but with contrasting styles. Downey relies on quick scoring, especially in the early stages of the game, while Folsom has a more balanced attack, excelling in the second quarter and maintaining steady pressure throughout the game. Folsom’s stingy defense, which has allowed fewer than 105 points all season, will be crucial in limiting Downey’s potent offense, particularly in the early stages.

As the teams prepare for this neutral-site playoff showdown, the key to victory will likely lie in Folsom’s ability to stifle Downey’s early offensive explosion and continue to capitalize on their own high-scoring capabilities. For Downey, their best chance lies in continuing to score early and maintaining offensive pressure, hoping their defense can rise to the challenge against one of the most well-rounded teams in the section.

This game promises to be a thrilling contest, and both teams will be aiming to advance further in the postseason, with a spot in the next round hanging in the balance.

As the postseason approaches, the highly anticipated matchup between Downey and Folsom is sure to be a thrilling contest between two offensively potent teams. Both squads boast impressive records and explosive offenses, making this game one to watch. Let’s break down the team statistics, highlight the key players, and take a closer look at how these teams stack up ahead of their showdown.

Team Comparison

Both Downey and Folsom have shown exceptional offensive firepower this season. Downey averages a strong 451.1 total yards per game, with a balanced attack that combines 133.7 rushing yards and 317.4 passing yards per game. Their passing offense, led by quarterback Carson Lamb, has been particularly effective, with Lamb contributing 311.0 passing yards per game. Joseph Ramirez has been the top receiving threat for Downey, averaging 90.5 receiving yards per game.

On the other hand, Folsom also boasts a potent offense with 407.8 total yards per game. Their rushing attack has been strong, averaging 184.0 yards per game, led by Carter Jackson, who averages 70.6 yards per game. Through the air, Ryder Lyons has been effective, passing for 222.6 yards per game. Jameson Powell has been the top receiver, contributing 84.3 yards per game. Despite a slightly lower total yardage, Folsom has been just as effective in scoring, averaging 45.6 points per game compared to Downey’s 45.4.

While Downey has been able to rack up yards through the air, Folsom has been more balanced in their approach, leading in rushing yards and passing yards with nearly identical totals. This suggests that Folsom’s offense is able to adapt more seamlessly to different game situations, making them unpredictable and difficult to defend.

Defensively, both teams have been strong. Downey averages 70.3 tackles per game, well above Folsom’s 50.0 tackles per game. Downey’s defense has been more active overall, while both teams have an identical 2.3 sacks per game, showing that their defensive lines are capable of applying pressure to opposing quarterbacks.

Team Leaders

The key players for Downey are clear, with Elijah Tamayo leading the rushing attack with 36.5 yards per game, and Carson Lamb driving the offense with 311.0 passing yards per game. Joseph Ramirez has been the standout receiver, contributing 90.5 receiving yards per game, while Noah Sacuskie has been a force on defense, recording 7.9 tackles per game and 1.0 sack per game.

For Folsom, Carter Jackson leads the way on the ground, rushing for 70.6 yards per game, and Ryder Lyons has been the main passing threat with 222.6 yards per game. Jameson Powell has been the top receiver, contributing 84.3 receiving yards per game, while defensively, Logan Hutton has been solid, recording 4.9 tackles per game. Theo Greule has been the primary pass rusher, contributing 0.7 sacks per game.

Common Opponents

Both teams faced Turlock this season, but with differing results. Downey fell to Turlock 33-14, while Folsom dominated in their matchup, winning 56-14. This victory by Folsom highlights their ability to perform strongly against common opponents, showing that they can put up big numbers when necessary. Downey’s loss to Turlock, while still a competitive game, could indicate that they may struggle against teams with similar offensive firepower.

Record Breakdown

Looking at their records, Downey has a solid 10-1 overall record, with a 4-1 mark in league play. They’ve been dominant at home with a 6-0 record, though their road performances (4-1) have been slightly less perfect. In comparison, Folsom has been just as strong, with a 9-1 overall record and an impressive 7-0 record in league play. Folsom’s road record (4-0) shows their resilience away from home, and they have proven to be an even more dominant team when playing on the road compared to Downey.

While both teams have been successful this season, Folsom’s higher-ranked record and undefeated league performance make them the favorite heading into this matchup. Their balanced offense and consistent defense should pose a tough challenge for Downey, who will need to rely on their potent passing attack to keep up.

Conclusion

The game between Downey and Folsom promises to be an exciting battle of offensive power. While Downey has shown impressive numbers, particularly through the air, Folsom has been a more balanced team overall, with both a strong rushing game and effective passing attack. Downey will need to capitalize on their passing game and defensive strength, but Folsom’s ability to adjust to different situations makes them the more versatile and unpredictable team.

Both teams have the talent and drive to make this a close contest, but with their high-scoring offense and balanced approach, Folsom enters the game as the slight favorite. However, if Downey can execute their game plan effectively and limit Folsom’s big plays, this matchup could be a thrilling back-and-forth affair.