St. Ignatius College Preparatory has made history by capturing its first state football championship after defeating Ventura 42-35 in the 3-AA title game held on December 12, 2025, in Fullerton, California. This victory marks a significant milestone for the San Francisco school, which had never previously advanced to a state football title game in its long history since being founded in 1855.
The Wildcats, under the leadership of head coach JaJuan Lawson, celebrated their triumph with exuberance as they secured the championship, having started the season with a challenging record of 2-6. The team turned its fortunes around dramatically, finishing the season with a record of 9-6. Lawson, who took over the coaching role this season after former coach Lenny Vandermade departed, expressed his gratitude for the team’s hard work and dedication. “We worked since January 15 for this,” he said. “Enjoy this. Have fun. Y’all state champs.”
Victory in the championship game was driven by standout performances, particularly from Steve Malone, who scored two long touchdowns, and Caedon Afsharipour, who threw two touchdown passes and ran for another. This combination of skill and teamwork proved pivotal in the Wildcats’ success on the field.
Historic Journey to the Title
St. Ignatius reached the 2-A title game after a series of impressive performances in the playoffs. The Wildcats, who were the top seed in the Central Coast Section Division II bracket, began their playoff journey by defeating No. 8 Alisal 49-7 in the first round. They continued their momentum with a convincing 42-6 victory over No. 4 Menlo School and capped off their section tournament run by edging out No. 2 Sacred Heart Cathedral 24-21. This win against Sacred Heart Cathedral marked St. Ignatius’s second victory of the season over their longstanding rival, having previously won 23-14 in the final week of regular play.
Lawson’s leadership and strategic adjustments throughout the season played a crucial role in transforming the team’s prospects. The Wildcats’ journey culminated in a thrilling championship match where they showcased resilience and determination, traits that had been nurtured throughout a challenging season.
The atmosphere during the championship game was electric, with fans cheering on their team as they fought for victory. As the final whistle blew, jubilant players celebrated their achievement, and Lawson, after narrowly escaping two Gatorade showers, was drenched in triumph. This celebration was not just for the victory but for the culmination of hard work and team spirit that had defined their season.
St. Ignatius now joins rival Sacred Heart Cathedral, which previously won the 4-A title in 2021, as the second team from the West Catholic Athletic League to earn a state championship. This achievement not only reflects the growing competitiveness of high school football in the region but also highlights the dedication of the athletes and coaching staff who have contributed to this success.
As the Wildcats take pride in their historic win, the focus will now shift to building on this success for future seasons, with the foundation laid for a strong football program at St. Ignatius. The community and supporters of the team will undoubtedly cherish this moment, as they celebrate a well-earned championship that has been years in the making.
