GAME RECAP: Rudnicki, Folsom Get Revenge For 2021 Title Game To Win Their Second State Title in Three Years.

By Justin Tatsuki Lee

Friday December 12, 2025

Game: Folsom vs Cathedral Catholic

Under a thick marine-layer fog that blanketed Saddleback College — so dense the visiting sideline was barely visible — Championship Friday closed with a statement performance. In a rematch four years in the making, Folsom stormed past Cathedral Catholic to reclaim the CIF Division 1-AA State Championship, flipping the script on their 2021 title-game loss and reasserting themselves atop the California high school football hierarchy.

Behind a historic night from quarterback Brody Rudnicki, the Bulldogs overwhelmed the Dons early, built a commanding lead before halftime, and never relinquished control — even as Cathedral Catholic flashed its trademark explosiveness late.

First Quarter — Fog, Tempo, and a Fast Folsom Start

Folsom won the toss and elected to receive, disappearing almost immediately into the fog — and into the end zone.

Starting at their own 36, the Bulldogs leaned on Brody Rudnicki (10) rather than BYU commit Ryder Lyons, and the decision paid off instantly. Rudnicki capped the opening drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, giving Folsom a 7–0 lead with 8:35 left.

Cathedral Catholic’s opening possession stalled, ending in a fourth-down punt.

Folsom struck again with ruthless efficiency. Taking over at the Dons’ 46, Rudnicki extended plays with his legs before firing a 32-yard touchdown strike to Rob Larson (1).

Just like that: 14–0 Bulldogs with 5:30 remaining.

The rout accelerated. After another quick Cathedral Catholic punt, Folsom began at its own 27. Osais Bolton (81) ripped off multiple chunk runs, and Rudnicki finished the drive himself — bursting 30 yards untouched into the foggy end zone.

FS 21, CC 0 — 40.2 seconds left in the first

Cathedral Catholic finally generated momentum behind five-star running back Honor Faalave (9), who churned out repeated 10-plus-yard gains. But facing 4th-and-8 at the Folsom 24, Brady Palmer’s end-zone shot fell incomplete.

End of Q1: Folsom 21, Cathedral Catholic 0

Second Quarter — Cathedral Catholic Responds, Folsom Answers Louder

Folsom’s first drive of the second quarter fizzled, but Cathedral Catholic capitalized on field position. Starting at the Bulldogs’ 46, the Dons converted a critical fourth-and-2 behind Faalave. Moments later, Palmer delivered a 15-yard touchdown pass, putting Cathedral Catholic on the board.

FS 21, CC 7 — 5:14 left in the half

Any hope of momentum was short-lived.

After a Cathedral Catholic turnover on downs near midfield — a pass breakup by EJ Coleman (7) — Folsom took over and methodically marched despite an unsportsmanlike penalty pushing them back. Rudnicki scrambled for a first down, then hit Jameson Powell (2) for 22 yards near the goal line.

With under 20 seconds remaining, Rudnicki capped the drive with a slick Tebow-style flick to Elijah Tuua (80) in the end zone.

FS 28, CC 7 — 19.1 seconds left

Halftime: Folsom 28, Cathedral Catholic 7

Third Quarter — The Knockout Sequence

Cathedral Catholic received to start the second half, but disaster struck immediately. Daniel Eagleton (24) intercepted Palmer’s first throw, handing Folsom the ball at the Dons’ 30.

Four plays later, on 4th-and-1 from the 11, Rudnicki walked in untouched.

FS 35, CC 7 — 9:50 left in the third

The Dons answered with a flash of brilliance. Faalave took a handoff and exploded through the middle, racing 74 yards for a touchdown to cut the margin.

FS 35, CC 14 — 9:30 left

Any comeback momentum was extinguished just as quickly. After a Folsom punt, Cathedral Catholic threatened again — but Travis Beatty (13) stepped in front of a Palmer throw for another interception inside Bulldogs territory.

As the third quarter expired, Rudnicki delivered the finishing blow — punching in his sixth total touchdown of the night, a 2-yard score that put the game firmly out of reach.

End of Q3 / Early Q4: Folsom 42, Cathedral Catholic 14

Fourth Quarter — Closing the Championship

Cathedral Catholic continued to fight. Palmer connected with Gianluca Busalacchi (83) for a 44-yard gain, then found the pylon himself on a 3-yard touchdown run.

FS 42, CC 21 — 7:29 left

An onside kick failed, and Folsom leaned into clock control. Bronson Bambino (20) ripped off a 41-yard run, and Lyons briefly entered at quarterback as the Bulldogs bled time.

Cathedral Catholic added one final score — Palmer hitting Busalacchi on a 10-plus-yard touchdown — but the outcome was sealed.

Folsom converted a final first down, drained the clock to zero, and disappeared once more into the fog — this time as champions.

Final — Redemption Complete

Final Score: Folsom 42, Cathedral Catholic 28

Four years after falling to the Dons on this stage, Paul Doherty’s Bulldogs delivered a dominant, cathartic performance — reclaiming the Division 1-AA State Championship and adding another title to a program built for December football.

For Cathedral Catholic and Sean Doyle, the season ends one win short of a fourth state crown. For Folsom, the climb is complete.

Under the lights, through the fog, and on the biggest stage — the Bulldogs finished the job.