Heavy Weight Game Preview: Serra Vs. Folsom

It is no secret that both Folsom and Serra are two of the most respected programs across the state, and this noon-kick off at Serra high school this Saturday afternoon will be a clash of the heavy weights. Both rosters are loaded in the trenches, with elite level signal callers and plenty of skill player talent to go around. A year ago, Serra edged out Folsom 17-12 at Folsom and was off to the races for the rest of the season before being stopped by the vaunted St. John Bosco in the Open Division State Title. With Folsom coming to San Mateo this weekend, it should once again be a tight game and one of the more exciting matchups of the 2023 season. Below, we will give a breakdown of both teams top players and impact names to note.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Folsom Bulldogs   QB [player_tooltip player_id='283683' first='Ryder' last='Lyons'] '26   One of the top signal callers in the nation, Lyons is poised for a monster Sophomore year and was off to a hot start in week 1 against Monterey Trail last weekend. He is a true Dual-Threat player that plays way above his age and experience with a elite IQ and is very well coached.   WR [player_tooltip player_id='398447' first='Brian' last='Ray'] '24   Ray is committed to Army, and holds multiple offers from FBS schools, and is only is one of the most physically and imposting receivers across Northern California.   ATH [player_tooltip player_id='115431' first='RJ' last='Whitten'] '24   Whitten holds five Division I offers and is one of the top uncommitted Norcal prospects heading into the season. He is a big time hitter with outstanding ball skills and natural instincts, while always playing sideline to sideline and another high IQ kid in the back end.   DE Taniela Tupou '25   Tupou is turning into one of the top edge prospects in the Norcal region with tons of untapped potential, and holds six offers from the likes of Sac State, SDSU, Utah among others.   WR [player_tooltip player_id='401252' first='Isaiah' last='Williams'] '26   Williams is next up in this young and talented Folsom class, and should see a significant role in 2023 and is part of a very impressive 2026 class for the Bulldogs.   WR [player_tooltip player_id='401258' first='Jameson' last='Powell'] '26   Powell holds multiple power five offers already including Oregon, Colorado, Oregon State among others, and put on a show last weekend and flashed what is yet to come for him over the next three seasons.   OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='147759' first='Lucas' last='Hardeman'] '24   Hardeman has been starting for Folsom since his Freshman season, and is one of the best two-way guys across northern California and plays with great technique and extreme violence. Although undersized, he is a no brainer next level caliber player and will make a positive impact on any college roster.   DL/OL Theo Greule '25   Greule has been a multi-year starter for Folsom, and has been leading that front four for some time now. He is a violent striker with plus athleticism and COD abilities, while able to play the run as well as provide an interior pass rush and moves all over the defensive line. Only a Junior, he has tons of experience already at the varsity level and will be tough to contain for four quarters.   Other Top Players...   CB [player_tooltip player_id='195555' first='Cade' last='Dutton'] '24   LB Mason Kelly '24   TE/LB Mason Fears '25   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Serra Padres   QB [player_tooltip player_id='115457' first='Maealiuaki' last='Smith'] '24   Smith is one of the top rated quarterbacks across the country, and has had a very nice prep career so far heading into his Senior season. He is currently crystal balled to Oklahoma State and is a 20 offer kid with tons of varsity experience and good arm talent.   S/LB [player_tooltip player_id='115416' first='Joseph' last='Bey'] '24   Bey has been dominating Bay Area football since his first prep season, and is currently committed to San Jose State. He can play either safety or linebacker, and is a big time hitter and cover player in the back end with also a ton of experience at the varsity level.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='115419' first='Jabari' last='Mann'] '24   Mann is also committed to San Jose State and can play both inside linebacker and bruise inbetween the tackles with plus athleticism. Look for Mann to be one of the top tacklers across the CCS in 2023.   RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='115421' first='Danny' last='Niu'] '24   Niu is another FBS commit on the Padres roster and is slated to attend SDSU after this year. He is a bruising runner that also excels at the linebacker position with pass rush abilities and a true plug in the middle of the vaunted Padre defense.   TE [player_tooltip player_id='683632' first='Cole' last='Harrison'] '24   Harrison is a big time target at 6'5" and change, with 8 Divison I offers and could end up going to the power five level by the time it is all said and done. He is rangy, shows good downfield speed and strong hands in traffic while one of the top uncommitted tight ends in the region.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='273579' first='Marley' last='Alapati'] '24   Alapati recently committed to Army, and is a very athletic and smooth athlete with cover abilities and is a devastating rusher off the edge. He is one of the most impactful defenders across Norcal and will play a big role against the Folsom attack.   DB [player_tooltip player_id='195533' first='Kyon' last='Loud'] '25   Loud is one of the more under-rated corners and return specialists across Norcal, and should have another explosive season for the Padres and impact the game in all three phases. He holds offers from Montana, UC Davis, Idaho and Portland State.   NG [player_tooltip player_id='942955' first='Timo' last='Poloka'] '24   Poloka has tons of experience at the nose guard position, and is a true two-gap plug with some interior pass rush abilities and does a nice job at playing with a low hat and creating immediate knock-back. Poloka holds one offer from Nevada, and it would not be surprising if he collects more FCS or G5 offers through his Senior year.   Other Top Players...   ATH [player_tooltip player_id='273625' first='Jaden' last='Green'] '24   RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='398485' first='Joseph' last='Latu'] '24   OL [player_tooltip player_id='942920' first='John' last='Holthaus'] '24   S [player_tooltip player_id='1645735' first='Teddy' last='Chung'] '24   LS Michael Pedrotti '24

It is no secret that both Folsom and Serra are two of the most respected programs across the state, and this noon-kick off at Serra high school this Saturday afternoon will be a clash of the heavy weights. Both rosters are loaded in the trenches, with elite level signal callers and plenty of skill player talent to go around. A year ago, Serra edged out Folsom 17-12 at Folsom and was off to the races for the rest of the season before being stopped by the vaunted St. John Bosco in the Open Division State Title. With Folsom coming to San Mateo this weekend, it should once again be a tight game and one of the more exciting matchups of the 2023 season. Below, we will give a breakdown of both teams top players and impact names to note.