Folsom overcame three first-quarter interceptions and scored 35 unanswered points to beat Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory 49-24 on Friday, Sept. 11, at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco.

The Bulldogs, ranked No. 1 by The Sacramento Bee and defending their 2025 CIF State championship, improved to 3-0. It was a strong Friday across the Folsom area, with Vista del Lago earning its first win and Oak Ridge bouncing back to 2-1.

Folsom trailed 10-7 after a shaky opening quarter, the Folsom Times reported. Quarterback Brody Rudnicki, a Cal commit, found Arhian Acuna for a 5-yard scoring strike to tie the game at 7-7. EJ Coleman then flipped the momentum with a 30-yard fumble return for a touchdown, giving the Bulldogs a 14-10 lead.

The Bulldogs never trailed again.

CJ Wallace IV recorded a sack that forced a Sacred Heart punt and set Folsom up at the Fighting Irish 27. Rudnicki hit Rockwell Lyons for a 26-yard touchdown pass. Osias Bolton punched in two rushing touchdowns, and Jake Lawhorn capped the scoring with a 20-yard run with just over two minutes left.

After the season opener against Cardinal Newman on Aug. 28, coach Paul Doherty told The Sacramento Bee, "… defense played lights out, special teams played lights out, and it was ugly, but we know we'll get better." Three games in, the Bulldogs have done exactly that, rolling through a schedule that includes a 23-17 overtime win over Cardinal Newman, a 35-21 victory over Mission Viejo and the blowout in San Francisco.

Vista del Lago 42, Reed 23

Vista del Lago broke through for its first win of the season, pulling away from Reed 42-23 at home. The Eagles opened with losses to Granite Bay and Antelope before putting together their strongest performance of the young season.

Vista trailed twice in the first half but held a 21-16 lead at the break. The Eagles then outscored Reed 21-7 after halftime. Reed turned the ball over on downs three times, including twice in the second half, as Vista's defense locked down when it mattered most.

The Eagles scored six touchdowns: four through the air and two on the ground.

Oak Ridge 28, Crean Lutheran 21

Oak Ridge traveled to Irvine and jumped ahead 14-0 in the first quarter against Crean Lutheran. The Saints rallied behind quarterback Caden Jones, who connected with Braylen Ross on a 22-yard touchdown and Da'mari Hall on a 20-yard score to pull within 21-15 at halftime.

The Trojans answered with a fourth-quarter rushing touchdown and extra point to extend the lead to 28-15. Crean Lutheran scored late to make it 28-21 but missed the extra point. Oak Ridge held on to improve to 2-1 under coach Casey Taylor.

Around the area

Ponderosa rolled past Casa Roble 49-13 in Orangevale, building a 43-7 halftime lead. The Bruins added a blocked punt returned for a touchdown to open the second half.

What's next

Folsom (3-0) travels to Sacramento to face No. 4-ranked Inderkum at 7:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18. Vista del Lago (1-2) and Oak Ridge (2-1) both have byes before returning Friday, Sept. 25. Oak Ridge hosts Del Oro at 7 p.m. to open Sierra Foothill League play, and Vista del Lago visits Bella Vista at 7:30 p.m.