Prep football notes: No. 4 Oak Ridge to host No. 5 Folsom

Eric Cavaliere has a simple question and concern as he pores over film of the Folsom football team.

The Oak Ridge coach wonders if the Bulldogs' quarterback express will ever stall down the road on Highway 50.

"When are they not going to have a 4,000-yard passer? Geez!" Cavaliere said about his team's opponent tonight in a Delta River League opener in El Dorado Hills.

Fourth-ranked Oak Ridge and No. 5 Folsom are both 5-0 and coming off bye weeks, rested and ready to test the scoreboard lights.

It all starts with the quarterbacks.

Folsom sophomore Jake Browning ranks second nationally and first in the state in passing yards (2,010) by quarterbacks who have played five games. Browning has 19 touchdown passes, eight to senior standout Phillip Carter, and is on target to reach 4,000 yards.

In 2010, Folsom featured the MaxPreps National Player of the Year, Dano Graves. Last season, Tanner Trosin became the first quarterback in the state to eclipse 5,000 passing yards in a season, according to Cal-Hi Sports.

The Trojans feature senior Jason Samuels, who has passed for 963 yards and 12 touchdowns, six to Byron Spain.

Both teams have superb offensive lines. Folsom excels in the spread offense, pushing the tempo and rarely punting. Oak Ridge has been a pocket-passing team since the school started playing varsity football 30 years ago.

But can anyone disrupt the passing flow tonight?

Oak Ridge has 18 sacks, 10 1/2 by senior defensive end Zack Claiborne. Folsom has 20 sacks, mostly by committee.

"The key for us will be the same as always – get to their QB," Cavaliere said. "(Folsom coach Kris) Richardson does such a great job with their O-line. We need to control the tempo with our offense."

Technique in trenches – Inderkum's speed and fine offensive-line play have helped the Tigers win the past five Tri-County League championships.

The quest for six consecutive starts tonight at home against Yuba City.

The line that keys the wing-T attack consists of DeOndre Burns, Robert Tamayo, Nick Van Skike, Dimitri Duruisseau, Dylan Akins and tight ends Dedric Allen and N.J. Falo.

Reserve Sukhwinder Ranu so impressed his position coach, John Paul, in Friday's win over Terra Nova that he was named the team's Lineman of the Week, a program first.

The Tigers' front averages just 207 pounds, so it relies on good technique and quick feet.

"I tell them we play like the Army: Shoot, move, communicate, and that's 'shoot' as in shoot your hips in blocking.

"I'll take them against any D-line in the section."

• Read more articles by Joe Davidson

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