UPDATE: St. Ignatius has made history by clinching its first-ever state football championship, defeating Ventura 42-35 for the 3-AA crown on December 12, 2025, in Fullerton, California. The Wildcats, a San Francisco school founded in 1855, had never reached a state title game until this season, marking a monumental achievement for the program.
In an electrifying showdown, St. Ignatius surged ahead with stellar performances from Steve Malone, who scored two long touchdowns, and Caedon Afsharipour, who threw two touchdown passes and ran for another. The victory secures a historic title for the Wildcats after a challenging season that began with a 2-6 record.
The atmosphere was charged with excitement as coach JaJuan Lawson evaded a Gatorade shower, celebrating the culmination of a season filled with determination and resilience. “We worked since January 15 for this,” said Lawson. “Enjoy this. Have fun. Y’all state champs.”
This triumph comes just weeks after the Wildcats defeated fellow Bay Area rival Monte Vista 17-13 to reach the title game. St. Ignatius, now boasting a record of 9-6, is the second team from the West Catholic Athletic League to win a state championship, following rival Sacred Heart Cathedral, which claimed the 4-A title in 2021.
The Wildcats’ path to the championship included victories over top-seeded teams, starting with a dominant 49-7 win against No. 8 Alisal in the Central Coast Section Division II playoffs. They continued their impressive run by defeating No. 4 Menlo School 42-6 and edging No. 2 Sacred Heart Cathedral 24-21 to secure the section title.
As the celebrations erupted, St. Ignatius solidified its place in history, reflecting the hard work and dedication of both players and coaching staff. The Wildcats are set to be a force in high school football, and their inspiring journey this season has captured the hearts of fans and the community alike.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as St. Ignatius celebrates its monumental achievement and looks forward to the future.
