The Folsom varsity football team faces Oak Ridge in a neutral-site playoff game today at 7:00 p.m. This highly anticipated 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 deeper into the postseason.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: California State Football Championship
Who: Folsom (CA) vs Oak Ridge (CA)
When: Today, November 30, 2024
Bracket: 2024 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football Playoffs – Division 1
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Folsom vs. Oak Ridg
The Oak Ridge and Folsom high school football teams are set to face off in a highly anticipated matchup. Both teams boast impressive records and statistics this season, making this game a showdown of strength, strategy, and execution. Here’s a detailed analysis of their performance metrics, key players, and common opponent outcomes to preview this clash.
Team Performance Comparison
Folsom enters the game with a clear statistical edge, particularly on offense. The Bulldogs average an impressive 435.3 total yards per game, significantly outpacing Oak Ridge’s 313.2 total yards per game. Folsom also dominates in scoring, averaging 47.4 points per game, compared to Oak Ridge’s 29.8 points per game.
On the ground, Folsom excels with 193.5 rushing yards per game, nearly double Oak Ridge’s 120.3 rushing yards per game. In the passing game, Folsom’s aerial attack generates 241.8 yards per game, compared to Oak Ridge’s 192.8 passing yards per game.
Defensively, Oak Ridge shows strength with 68.5 tackles per game, higher than Folsom’s 52.0 tackles per game. However, Folsom’s pass rush is more effective, averaging 2.5 sacks per game, compared to Oak Ridge’s 1.7 sacks per game.
Key Players
Oak Ridge:
- #7 Phoenix Hester: Leads the team in rushing with 42.3 yards per game.
- #3 Joaquin Graves-Mercado: A dual-threat quarterback averaging 188.8 passing yards and 197.0 total yards per game.
- #24 Dean Davis: A defensive standout with 8.8 tackles per game.
- #10 Jasen Womack: The leading scorer, averaging 10.2 points per game.
Folsom:
- #1 Carter Jackson: Dominates on the ground, rushing for 70.3 yards per game.
- #3 Ryder Lyons: A standout quarterback with 239.6 passing yards and 289.5 total yards per game.
- #2 Jameson Powell: A key receiver, averaging 80.6 receiving yards per game, and a reliable scorer with 8.7 points per game.
- #6 Logan Hutton: A defensive leader with 4.5 tackles per game.
Common Opponents
Both teams have faced seven common opponents this season, with perfect records against these teams. However, Folsom has been dominant, often winning by much larger margins. For example:
- Against Del Oro, Folsom won 58-0, while Oak Ridge secured a 28-7 victory.
- Folsom outscored Granite Bay 48-10, compared to Oak Ridge’s 30-17 win.
- Folsom routed Jesuit 55-10, while Oak Ridge won 23-3.
These results highlight Folsom’s ability to control games and put up points, particularly against shared competition.
Record Breakdown
Folsom holds a more impressive overall record at 11-1, including an undefeated 7-0 league performance. Oak Ridge, at 8-4, has shown resilience, especially in playoff situations. However, Folsom’s single loss came outside the league, and they remain dominant in neutral-site and in-state games.
The Bottom Line
This matchup pits Oak Ridge’s disciplined defense against Folsom’s high-octane offense. Folsom’s ability to control the tempo with balanced rushing and passing attacks will challenge Oak Ridge’s defense. Meanwhile, Oak Ridge’s success depends on quarterback Joaquin Graves-Mercado’s ability to generate plays and keep pace with Folsom’s scoring.
With both teams coming in strong, the game promises to be a thrilling contest. Folsom may have the edge statistically, but Oak Ridge’s grit and defensive toughness could make all the difference in this classic rivalry.
