Bee’s Best prep football: No. 1 Folsom returns 19 starters from strong spring team
This week, we’re blowing up with prep two-a-days. We’re publishing two previews a day as we dive into the top 10 of our rankings for high school football in the Sacramento area.
No. 1 Folsom Bulldogs
City: Folsom
School opened: 1922
League: Sierra Foothill
Division: I
Enrollment: 2,706
2021 spring record: 6-0
Coach: Paul Doherty
Outlook: The blue wave rolls on up Highway 50. The Folsom Bulldogs return 19 starters from a spring team that went 6-0, starting with twins Tyler and Josh Tremaine, the quarterback ace and defensive leader, with a spectacular supporting cast.
It includes San Jose State-bound linebacker Justin Eklund and junior national recruits in receiver Rico Flores and tight end Walker Lyons. All-purpose star Justin Arnaz can run it, catch it, defend it and play on special teams. There are players in the trenches and there is depth.
It adds up to a championship feel, and what else is new? Since 2010, Folsom has won 10 league championships, eight Sac-Joaquin Section banners and four CIF State crowns. But coach Paul Doherty was quick to remind, “We haven’t done anything yet,” adding that none of his star players have won a section title, nor has he.
Folsom won its last blue section banner in 2018 and was defeated by Monterey Trail in the 2019 Division I playoffs. There was no postseason in the spring.
“But we’re good, really good, and we can do things if we focus on what we have to focus on,” Doherty said. “We have to block. We have to pass protect. We have to make tackles.”
Tremain was the only quarterback in the state to pass for 2,000 yards during the spring, and he’ll air it out plenty this fall.
“Tyler’s the best player in the section, super mature, a great leader, runs the offense,” Doherty said. “We have experience on the line. We have guys on defense. It’s all there.”
Folsom’s home opener is against Jesuit on Aug. 27. It will host Bay Area power Pittsburg on Sept. 3 and open Sierra Foothill League play at home against Oak Ridge on Sept. 17. On Oct. 8, Folsom hosts De La Salle, which has not lost to a Northern California opponent since 1991.
“We’re excited, and people should be excited here,” Doherty said.