Kaiden Bennett leads No. 24 Folsom to wild state-title win over Helix

Video: Kaiden Bennett highlights vs. St. Mary's
Bennett did it all in Folsom state-title win over Helix, the Bulldogs' third state championship.

SACRAMENTO — The lineage of great Folsom (Calif.) quarterbacks is long and impressive, headed by current University of Washington signal-caller Jake Browning.

It's hard to imagine any of them being much better in high school than Kaiden Bennett.

And he still has a year to go. Much like most of his teammates. 

The 6-foot, 175-pound junior accounted for 474 yards and six touchdowns, as the 24thh-ranked Bulldogs (16-0) defeated a very game Helix (La Mesa) squad 49-42 in the CIF Division 1-AA Bowl championship at Sacramento State.

Bennett completed 21 of 32 for 327 yards and four touchdowns, and added 147 yards rushing on 14 carries and two more scores as Folsom fought back from an 14-0 deficit to win its third state crown. The first two titles — in 2010 and 2014 — were senior-dominated teams.

This Folsom team was expected to be a year or two away. The roster is filled with juniors and sophomores. The Bulldogs grew up quick.

“Most state championship teams are senior heavy, grizzled, but we’ve done it with some young stallions,” Folsom coach Kris Richardson told Joe Davidson of the Sacramento Bee. “The great thing about this group is we never flinched.” 
His 1-yard TD keeper with 2:47 remaining all but sealed this one, capping a 10-play, 71-yard drive. It came after terrific Helix quarterback Carson Baker (19-of-31, 322 yards, 3 touchdowns ) sprinted around the left side for an 8-yard TD to cut the lead to 42-35 with 6:16 remaining.

Folsom came right back down the field, capped by Bennett's final score. He also completed two touchdown passes of 54 and 4 yards to CJ Hutton, and one each to Elijhah Badger (70 yards) and Joe Ngata (49). Bennett added a 32-yard touchdown run.

After Bennett's final TD, Helix (13-2) drove right down the field to cut the lead to 49-42 with 1:06 left on a 3-yard TD pass from Baker to Terrance Mcintyre. But Parker Clayton recovered a very good onside kick and Folsom ran out the clock.

Folsom's last title was in 2014, when Browning finished off his illustrious career with a 16-0 season. He threw for 16,775 yards and 229 touchdowns during his three-year career.

In his first full season as quarterback, Bennett came into the title game with 4,109 passing yards and 53 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,079 yards and 14 scores.

This game featured 1,038 yards, Helix's Elelyon Noa rushed 28 times for 124 yards and wide receiver Isaiah Wooden added seven catches for 172 yards and one score.

Folsom piled up 543 yards, including 200 on the ground. It's hard to imagine what they'll do next year for a encore. Richardson just wanted to enjoy this one. He got choked up just thinking about all the progress and hard work that had occurred over the last year.

“The guys did everything we’ve asked,” Richardson said over the loud speaker after the game. "“Twelve months of work, 16-0, wow. Incredible senior class, a lot of great young players, a great coaching staff. We’re proud to be a Folsom Bulldog. We’re so proud of our community and our support.”

CIF Football Division 1-AA Championship

Folsom 49, Helix 42

Helix     14   0  14  14  — 42

Folsom 14  14  7  14  — 49

First quarter

H — Isaiah Wooden 3 run (Elijah Laing kick), 9:59

H — Wooden 73 pass from Carson Baker (Laing kick), 7:44

F — Elijhah Badger 70 pass from Kaiden Bennett (Oscar Sanchez kick), 7:21

F — Joe Ngata 49 pass from Bennett (Sanchez kick), 1:14

Second quarter

F — CJ Hutton 4 pass from Bennett (Sanchez kick), 9:06

F — Bennett 32 run (Sanchez kick), 2:10

Third quarter

H — Rashad Scott 47 pass from Baker (Laing kick), 10:23

F — Daniyel Ngata 2 run (Sanchez kick), 8:00

H — Taylor-Stuart 8 run (Laing kick), 0:15

Fourth quarter

F — Hutton 54 pass from Bennett (Sanchez kick), 10:09

H — Baker 8 run (Laing kick), 6:16

F — Bennett 1 run (Sanchez kick), 2:47

H — McIntyre 3 pass from Baker (Laing kick), 1:06

RUSHING

H: Elelyon Noa 28-124, Taylor-Stuart 4-26, Baker 8-15, Wooden 2-10, Traylor 1-0, Team 1-(-2). Totals 44-173. F: Bennett 14-147, D. Ngata 14-39, J. Ngata 2-11, Hutton 3-6, Badger 1-2, Team 3-(-5). Totals 37-200.

PASSING

H: Baker 19-31-1-322. F: Bennett 21-32-2-327.

RECEIVING

H: Wooden 7-172, Rashad Scott 7-117, Noa 2-23, McIntyre 2-15, Showcroft 1-(-5). F: J. Ngata 5-98, Hutton 5-90, Badger 4-102, Clayton 4-23, D. Ngata 3-14, Bennett 1-16.

TACKLES

H: Jayden Tauanuu 11, Taylor-Stuart 10, Showcroft 6. F: Elijah Swonger 9, Isaiah Bamer 8, Tanner Ward 8, Tyler Hardeman 8.

TEAM STATS

First downs: Helix 23, Folsom 25

Total yards: Helix 495, Folsom 543

Penalties: Helix 7-66, Folsom 7-55

Sacks: Helix 0-0, Folsom 3-(-28)

Total plays: Helix 75, Folsom 71

Time of possession: Helix 27:39, Folsom 20:21

Turnovers: Helix 2, Folsom 2