Grant vs. Folsom Season Opener Lights Up ESPN High School Football Kickoff

Sacramento – In a sold-out event that mixed football tradition with national spotlight, Grant Union High School’s Pacers faced the Folsom Bulldogs Saturday night. This game was part of ESPN’s 16th annual High School Football Kickoff series.

Both programs, strong forces in the Sac-Joaquin Section, brought star players, eager fans, and a fun rivalry bet between district superintendents to Del Paso Heights.

The late-night clash started at 7:30 p.m. PT. It was the first game of the 2025 season for both teams and drew a national audience on ESPN. Grant Cordova Unified Superintendent Dr. Steve Martinez and Folsom Cordova Unified Superintendent Erik Swanson struck a deal. The superintendent who loses will wear the winner’s jersey at a future board meeting. They’ll post a photo on social media and film a celebratory video, too.

Fans filled the stands at Grant Union’s stadium over an hour before kickoff. They wore school colors and chanted, “Pacers!” Bulldogs!” as ESPN cameras circulated through the crowd. Commentators pointed out the high stakes beyond the game. College recruiters from Power Five schools were there to check out top talents. Folsom quarterback Ryder Lyons and Grant tight end Rahzario Edwards were among those being evaluated.

Throughout the first half, both offenses traded explosive plays. Folsom’s offensive line, led by USC-bound tackle Vlad Dyakonov, created gaps for senior running backs. Meanwhile, Grant’s passing game highlighted the speed and skills of receiver Koby Shabazz. Defensively, each unit caused key turnovers. This kept the game close as they headed into halftime.

In the second half, the momentum shifted to Grant. The Pacers’ co-head coaches, Carl Reed and Syd Thompson, called a two-minute drill. This led to a go-ahead score. Folsom made a strong push in the fourth quarter. They aimed to tie the game, but Grant’s linebackers intercepted a pass in the end zone. This sealed the victory for Grant.

When the final whistle blew, the Pacers won in front of their home fans. This ended Folsom’s early-season momentum. They also gave Dr. Swanson the winning jersey to wear at the next board meeting. Martinez celebrated with his players. He promised a video tribute to the Bulldogs and a lively rematch later this season.

As the lights dimmed for ESPN’s season kickoff, both teams focused on league play. They aimed for sectional and state titles to guide their journey ahead.