The Folsom Bulldogs opened the 2026 football season with a 23‑17 overtime victory over Cardinal Newman, a win that cemented their No. 1 ranking in Northern California according to The Sacramento Bee.
Key Performances
Quarterback Brody Rudnicki was the catalyst, plunging into the end zone on a five‑play stretch of consecutive carries off direct snaps in the extra period, a sequence that underscored his reputation for late‑game heroics.
The momentum had been set earlier when CJ Wallace ripped a 99‑yard kickoff return that put Folsom ahead for the first time in the second half, while special‑teams standout Oscar Gonzalez blocked a 37‑yard field‑goal attempt by Cardinal Newman’s Devon Taylor to keep the Bulldogs within striking distance.
Despite a slow first half and a litany of injuries that forced the team to miss several key contributors, Folsom’s defense tightened up, and the combined effort of the defensive line and the special‑teams unit kept the game alive.
Looking Ahead
The Bulldogs now turn their attention to a formidable Mission Viejo squad, the only team that defeated them in 2025, as they chase a 13‑game winning streak that has already placed them at the top of the regional polls.
Rudnicki’s clutch touchdown, Wallace’s record‑setting return, and Gonzalez’s timely block highlighted a performance that blended individual brilliance with collective resilience.
With a schedule that will test them against the best of Northern California, the Bulldogs hope to translate their early‑season grit into a deep run toward a state championship, a goal that has eluded the program for decades.