After a week one loss at the hands of a very good De La Salle football team, Folsom could’ve easily been discouraged and faltered the rest of the season. Instead, they went on to win their next 14 games, capping it off with a thrilling 21-14 OT win in the state championship over Cathedral Catholic.
Kris Richardson had been the head coach at Folsom since 2005, until last December when he announced he would be taking a coaching position at Sacramento State. In his 14 years as head coach, he led the Bulldogs to an incredible 4 state titles. Replacing him for the 2019 season is Paul Doherty. His goal at Folsom will be to carry on the tradition that Richardson built over his 14-year span.
Key Losses
Dual-threat quarterback Kaiden Bennett (6’0, 170 lbs) was a huge part of why this offense scored 40 or more points in 12 of 14 contests last year. The Boise State signee threw for over 4,200 yards and a whopping 62 touchdowns while also rushing for over 500 yards and 13 scores.
Top receiver Joe Ngata (6’3, 205 lbs) racked up 1,270 receiving yards and hauled in 22 touchdowns. He signed with Clemson.
Linebacker Noah Jenkins (6’3, 200 lbs) led the Bulldogs defense in tackles with 75. Not far behind was defensive tackle Tyler Hardeman (6’2, 260 lbs) with 73 tackles. The Sacramento State commit will be following his head coach Kris Richardson to the college level for their next four years together. He also led the team in sacks with 8.5. Chandon Pierce was a defensive end that excelled last year and he will attend North Dakota.
Caleb Nelson (6’0, 170 lbs) was one of the team’s top defensive backs. He led the team in interceptions and will be playing at North Dakota in 2019.
Player to Watch on Offense
As we look at the 2019 season, Daniyel Ngata (5’9, 180 lbs) will be one of the most dangerous offensive players in the country. The all-purpose back rushed for nearly 900 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 36 receptions for 660 yards and 10 touchdowns. The All-State back has received two dozen offers and has narrowed it down to a top 5 as he continues to visit schools. Texas A&M, Clemson, Arizona State, Utah, and Oklahoma State all made the cut.
This season, Jacob Reithmeier (6’3, 205 lbs) is expected to take over as the starting quarterback. He was patiently waiting for his turn and he will have a chance to go off in 2019. He completed 25-of-40 passes for 333 yards and 6 touchdowns in limited time as a junior. He is an accurate passer, completing 62% of his throws and only had 1 pick. He isn’t afraid to run the football, lower his shoulder, and move the chains.
Stepping into the top receiver role will be Elijhah Badger (6’1, 185 lbs). The 2020 prospect caught 55 passes for 1,113 yards and 20 touchdowns. He has an EFN evaluation grade of 90/100 and is an elite talent. He currently has offers from USC, Oregon, Michigan, and 20 other Division 1 colleges.
CJ Hutton (5’9 175) is a slot receiver that caught 34 balls for 634 yards and 8 touchdowns as a junior. He also rushed for 217 yards and 2 more touchdowns. He can get open on the short and intermediate routes and do a lot of damage in the open field once he has the ball.
In addition to the weapons they already have, Asir-Alim Moore (6’0 196) transfers in from Stockton St.Mary. On limited touches last season, he was amazing and will bring another big-time threat to the offense.
The Bulldogs also have Matt Simon (5’10 165), Dorian Blackwell (6’0 160), and Grant Furrey (6’1 180) that can help in the passing game. Jayden Meneghetti (6’4 230) is a tight end that does well blocking in the run game but may see his role increase as a receiver this year.
Players to Watch on Defense
Top players coming back on the defense include Badger who plays both ways, but also defensive end DeShawn Lynch (6’5, 265 lbs). Lynch is a standout senior that has offers from big programs like Tennessee, Oregon, and USC. He has all the physical tools and ability to dominate inside and off the edge.
On the defensive line, JJ McMahon (6’1 235), Braiden Freeland (6’2 248), Jake Melander (6’0 250), and Josh Arnds (6’3 205) will help Lynch. Meneghetti may also play both ways as a defensive end.
The second level of the defense is led by Dylan Richard (5’11, 220 lbs). He tallied 62 tackles and 8 tackles for loss as a junior last season from his inside linebacker position. He will be joined by Davion Blackwell (6’1 200) at outside linebacker. Blackwell is aggressive, an explosive athlete, and will have a big senior year. Grant Furrey will get a lot of time on defense as an outside linebacker.
In the secondary, Hutton, Simon, Badger, and Moore will all play both ways on defense. Moore is a newcomer and is equally as talented as a strong safety. Dorian Blackwell (6’0 150), a class of 2021 prospect, will play corner and is a rising star for the Bulldogs.
2019 Outlook
Every high school football team is going to lose some seniors each year. This is no different for Folsom. What Folsom does that not every team can do, though, is find players who can step up to fill needed roles year after year.
With Daniyel Ngata, Elijhah Badger, and CJ Hutton returning, the Bulldogs offense will be very difficult to stop. They also will benefit having Asir-Alim Moore on the team. Reithmeier is a talented quarterback that could become a household name during his senior season. He will surprise everyone.
The presence of DeShawn Lynch, Dylan Richard, and Davion Blackwell on defense will make it hard for opposing offenses to move the football against Folsom. They just need to find a way to keep all the 2-way players fresh and healthy throughout the season.
Given the number of weapons on this Bulldog team, Coach Doherty will have a legit shot to get this team back to the state championship. The Bulldog’s eyes are set on making that return visit once again in 2019.