Thunder riding off of last season's success with an experienced roster

The Rocklin Thunder football team is coming off one of its most successful seasons in school history and finished 2021 with a 12-1 record winning the Sierra Foothill League for the first time since 2009. Rocklin High made it all the way to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I Championship where they lost 20-3 against Folsom. Despite the section title loss, the Thunder are looking to pick up where they left off and continue developing a hard-working environment and successful culture. "Every year is different but our off season was good and all age groups have been committed to the weight room," coach Jason Adams said. "I think our strength will be how physical we are on the line of scrimmage. We will be really physical and disciplined, which will give us a chance to win." Arguably, the biggest strength for the Thunder last season was how they played defensively as they forced 38 turnovers, totaled more than 700 tackles and allowed less than 10 points per game on average. While they are losing star talent such as Rio Patton and Kaiden Baker, Rocklin High are also returning players, such as Derek Houston who totaled 100 tackles, 5.5 sacks, six turnovers and two defensive touchdowns. Also returning is Kaleb Larson, who had six sacks and four fumble recoveries. "I think my biggest individual goal this year is to make a name for myself," Larson said. "I think I've most improved my explosiveness, footwork and knowledge of the game. I still need to work on my speed. I think we'll still be climbing and working to be the best." Armand Johnston, Spencer Patton, Tom Sackinsky and Austin Adams will be other players to watch out for on the defensive front. Adams totaled five interceptions in 2021 while Sackinsky lived up to his name with six sacks. Offensively, the Thunder will be down their top three receivers, Elias Mullican, Nathan Kent and Kyran Bell, along with their top running back, Anthony Johnston. They have a plethora of talent returning, however, with Mason Silva, Eli Hardy and Elias Brown all stepping in at running back. The trio combined for nearly 800 yards on the ground and 12 touchdowns. "Ideally, we will always be a team that controls the line of scrimmage and be more run-heavy," Jason Adams said. "If we can run well, we will pass well. That being said, any time we see an opportunity to score some points, we will do that." Larson and Houston will also be filling it at wide receiver along with Gavin Correia, who led the junior varsity team with 345 yards and six touchdowns. Joey Roberts will be the starting quarterback and got plenty of varsity experience last year after Kenny Lueth went down with an injury in the game against Del Oro. Roberts went on to start eight games and threw for 11 touchdowns while having a quarterback rating of 102.7. Roberts led the comeback for the Thunder in the section semifinals game against St. Mary's with 332 yards of offense and three touchdowns. "I do feel like I have a higher weight on my shoulders now but I like it and I feel like I've gotten a lot better since last season," Roberts said. "My biggest goal is for us to go undefeated this year which will be hard but we have the guys to do it. I feel like I have most improved on my reads and truly knowing everything about the plays we're running and what zones to look for." The Thunder will begin the 2022 season away at Turlock on Aug. 19 before playing their home opener against Robert McQueen High School from Reno, Nevada on Aug. 26. Robert McQueen High has had a history of success and has produced players such as San Francisco 49ers wide receiver and Rocklin native Brandon Aiyuk. Rocklin High will face Capital Christian at home on Sept. 2 and will finish non-league competition with Antioch away on Sept. 9 and Glacier Peak from Snohomish, Washington at home on Sept. 23. They will open Sierra Foothill League competition with the Quarry Bowl away at Whitney on Sept. 30. Their homecoming game will be against Granite Bay on Oct. 14 and they will finish the season away against Folsom on Oct. 28. "We work our butts off to schedule quality opponents," Adams said. "We need to play cohesively on Friday nights and our most successful seasons are when we know who we are and trust each other. If we do that, then winning the title will take care of itself."