St. Ignatius High School has made history by clinching its first state football championship after defeating Ventura 42-35 in the 3-AA title game held on December 12, 2025, in Fullerton, California. The victory marks a significant milestone for the San Francisco school, which had never reached a state football title game prior to this season.
The Wildcats, led by head coach JaJuan Lawson, celebrated wildly as the final whistle blew, marking the culmination of a remarkable turnaround after starting the season with a record of 2-6. “We worked since January 15 for this,” Lawson stated. “Enjoy this. Have fun. Y’all state champs.” His leadership has been pivotal in transforming the team’s fortunes.
The game was filled with excitement and pivotal plays. Steve Malone contributed significantly with two long touchdown runs, while Caedon Afsharipour showcased his skills by throwing two touchdown passes and scoring another on the ground. The Wildcats concluded the season with an impressive overall record of 9-6, becoming the second champions from the West Catholic Athletic League to claim a state title, following the Sacred Heart Cathedral team, which won the 4-A championship in 2021.
St. Ignatius’ path to the championship was no small feat. The team advanced to the title game after a series of hard-fought matches, including a narrow 17-13 victory against fellow Bay Area school Monte Vista in the semifinals. As the top seed in the Central Coast Section Division II bracket, the Wildcats dominated their opponents, defeating Alisal 49-7 in the first round, Menlo School 42-6 in the semifinals, and edging out Sacred Heart Cathedral again with a close 24-21 win in the section finals.
The excitement on the sidelines was palpable, with players and fans erupting in celebration as the Wildcats achieved what many had thought impossible just weeks earlier. Following the game, the team playfully doused Coach Lawson with Gatorade, a fitting reward for his successful first year at the helm after taking over from previous coach Lenny Vandermade in January. Vandermade had led the team to a Central Coast Section Open Division championship last season.
As the Wildcats prepare to bask in their achievement, the community of St. Ignatius is filled with pride. This championship not only represents a significant accomplishment for the school but also serves as a testament to the resilience and determination of the team. With their newfound status as state champions, the Wildcats will undoubtedly look to build on this success in the future.
This victory emphasizes the unpredictable nature of high school sports, where a team’s fortunes can shift dramatically within a single season. St. Ignatius has proven that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible on the field.
