LEDGER FOLSOM
EUFAULA HIGH SCHOOL
It’s been a steep learning curve for Eufaula High School quarterback Ledger Folsom but if history holds true, the 2024 season could be a big one for the Ironhead junior.
“In his freshman year we had projected Ledger to play some defense for us and maybe some wide receiver,” said Eufaula head coach Larry Newton Jr. “But he got hurt and didn’t get to play at all until late in the season. So last year when he won the quarterback spot it was like he was starting all over because he had no experience there and it was a big learning curve.”
But despite being new to the signal calling spot, Folsom had a great year with 848 yards passing and 825 yards rushing and 21 total touchdowns.
Folsom takes up the story of that fateful freshman year.
“I had a hamstring injury the summer before my freshman year, and it just got worse the more I was on it, so I finally gave in and had surgery. It was tough because I thought I could really contribute on defense as a freshman. But going through adversity taught me a lot about patience and I learned a lot about the high school game by just watching the seniors on the team and how they performed. Last year was mostly a fun year but we also had a lot of in-fighting that disrupted things, but I think things are a lot better this season in that regard. I learned early last season about not rushing things. In our season opener against Vian I threw a pick that was just dumb, and I told myself I just can’t be throwing the ball up like that anymore and doing goofy middle school stuff.”
said Ledger who is also in FFA where he shoots skeet.
As Ledger’s junior season nears, Newton looks to history to predict Folsom’s future.
“After last season we’re looking for big things from Ledger. We saw a lot of improvement and understanding of just job duringspring practice and in 7-on-7 passing league this summer. I think he’ll still be more of a running threat than passing just because he’s so fast on his feet, but I think the learning curve will slow down for him which should help him have a great season. We saw that a few years ago with Luke Adcock when he was in a similar position.”
Folsom started playing football in second grade in flag football where his speed was already evident.
“I just seemed to have a knack for running around people and it was fun,” Ledger explained.
And that speed has continued over the years as last spring Folsom qualified for the state track meet in the 100m sprint and as part of the 4X100 relay team which missed making the finals by just :01 seconds.
Even though the Ironheads have a good number of their players back from last year’s team that was 7-4 and made the first round of the playoffs, this year they move back into Class 3A after a couple of years in 2A and coach and player know the going will be tough.
“This move will put us back into the class with all the private schools which is always tough. In fact, out of the 10 teams we play, there are only two that didn’t make the playoffs last year and a handful of them made it to at least the second round,” said Newton.
“I know it will be tough, but I think we’ve got enough players back that we can hang with most people,” said Folsom. “We’ve got Logan Plant coming back at wide receiver this year after missing last year with an injury along the Kade Rice and Peter Lee at running back. My goals for this season are to up my passing yardage and rush for over 900 yards and have maybe 30 touchdowns.”
