by Trevor Horn (trev.horn@gmail.com)
Despite pouring rain in the second half, sophomore Jake Browning still found a way to put up video game statistics for Folsom, as the Bulldogs advance to the third round of the Sac Joaquin Section Division II playoffs in a 49-13 rout of Vacaville at Folsom on Saturday.
In a rematch of the last year's D-II section title game, the roll was reversed with the young signal caller for Folsom leading the way with a 27 for 42 passing for 380 yards and five touchdowns for Folsom.
Folsom will take on Buhach Colony at home in the semifinals next weekend.
The date of the game is yet to be determined with Folsom and Vista del Lago sharing Prairie City Stadium for home games.
Folsom is now 12-0 for the first time since 1990.
Potent in the first half, Folsom scored on all five drives as Browning completed eight passes for 103 yards to his favorite target, junior wide receiver Troy Knox.
Knox finished with 10 catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns—both scores coming in the first half.
Coming out of halftime Folsom, in the driving rain that started to pour during intermission, faltered on the first two drives—punting then fumbling near the goal line.
But the defense kept Vacaville out of the end zone for all but two rushing touchdowns all night.
Folsom used a heavy dose Bailey Laolagi and Harry Lipnosky in the run game in the second half to spare Browning from needing to throw a dripping wet football all night.
Laolagi scored a rushing touchdown in the first half and Lipnosky found the end zone in the second half.
Browning also found Trace Noble for two passing touchdowns in the second half for a state-best 53 passing touchdowns and 4,527 yards passing.
Buhach Colony, the No. 5 seed in the D-II playoffs, defeated McNair in the first round and Antelope Friday night in the second round.
The Thunder finished the regular season 8-2 and 5-0 in the Central California League. The lone losses came to Serra and Clovis North.