Dream football season over: No. 1 Rocklin falls in section championship to Folsom

Rocklin High School football players ran to the stands at Sacramento City College on Friday night, most with tears in their eyes. They wanted to thank their crowd and supporters.

There was nothing more the Thunder could do. The realization was starting to set in — their season was over.

The magical ride that included a 12-0 start to the season ended with a 20-3 loss to Folsom in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division l section championship game. It was Folsom’s eighth championship in 11 seasons.

“(Folsom) is a really, really good program,” Rocklin coach Jason Adams said. “They know what they’re doing. They have great players, good coaching staff. Tremendous community support. We knew what happened in the past had nothing to do with tonight. Our guys gave their best and it wasn’t good enough tonight.”

Adams added, “What defines (this senior class) is what they do on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. After the games on Friday nights, they’re great guys. That’s what makes them special. They’re great people and they’re going to move on. Tonight we weren’t the better team. That’s just how it goes.”

After each coach addressed the team, players hugged each other. There wasn’t a dry eye around. This was Rocklin’s fourth section title appearance and the school was seeking its second section championship in school history. The last came in 2009.

It didn’t matter who Rocklin had on offense. They wouldn’t be denied by a relentless Folsom defense that held the Thunder scoreless after a first quarter field goal by MacGregor TeSelle.

Rocklin came in averaging over 41 points per game, but were held without a touchdown for the first time since a 2019 playoff loss to Whitney. Rocklin had won 16 games in a row dating back to last spring.

The highlight of the season came against these Bulldogs on Oct. 15. Rocklin beat Folsom without star quarterback Tyler Tremain 40-7. That snapped Folsom’s 11-year, 54-game league winning streak. The section championship game was the opposite.

“They played lights-out,” Rocklin senior Bobby Piland said. “They’re a very good and well-coached team. That’s a great defense right there.”

Piland was a four-year starter at Rocklin and he saw the program grow before his eyes.

“They’ve been everything to me,” Piland said of the senior class “They have shaped me as a person and football player. The experiences I’ve had (at this school) are like no other. This is the best experience you can get. Since my freshman year, we have been growing every year. We have definitely changed Rocklin football. There will be a new legacy that will be built. (The future) is bright for Rocklin.”

The future should be bright for Rocklin, despite graduating 25 seniors. Returning for the Thunder is Joey Roberts, who took over at quarterback for Kenny Lueth midway through the season. Roberts is appreciative of how Lueth helped him.

“It’s been amazing. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. … Kenny has meant everything to me,” Roberts said. “We don’t win half of those games without Kenny. He helps so much. I’m excited to see how the sophomores and juniors will step up. (Our future) is as bright as we grind in the offseason. If everyone works, we will have something really special.”

The game was tied at 3 at halftime before Toure Hendrick and Donovan Parler both scored rushing touchdowns for Folsom to put the game away. Folsom will play in a CIF Northern California Regional championship game next week.

“Rocklin had a great season,” Tremain said. “They earned everything and played great. They were always so prepared.”

Folsom coach Paul Doherty added, “We beat a great team. They showed how good they are all season.”