The Wildcat Sports Report is your weekly roundup of the biggest moments in SI athletics. From thrilling victories to program milestones and community highlights, we bring you the stories that showcase the spirit of our Wildcats

Climbing the Mountain: Wildcats Win Historic CIF 3-AA State Title

Legendary high school football coach Bob Ladouceur of De La Salle once said, "The road to the top of the mountain is never a straight path." There are no truer words to describe the 2025 Wildcats football season.

The Wildcats ultimately reached the summit, capturing the CIF 3-AA State Football Championship with a thrilling 42–35 victory over Ventura High School on Friday, December 12, at Fullerton District Stadium. Yet the journey to the top was anything but smooth. It was neither a gentle climb nor a steady ascent. Instead, the season unfolded like a roller coaster—marked by a free-fall through the first half, followed by a breathtaking, G-force-like surge to the finish.

That surge saw the Wildcats win seven straight games to close the season, culminating in the first state football championship in school history. Along the way, the team also made history by capturing the school's first NorCal Championship, defeating Sacred Heart Cathedral 23–20 on a dramatic walk-off 40-yard field goal.

There were numerous individual accomplishments worthy of recognition throughout the season—especially during the late-season run—but perhaps the most important reason for the Wildcats' success was their growth as a team. Success at any level is not defined by highlight reels or the number of likes on an individual's social media account. In football, it's about team offense, team defense, and special teams. Once the Wildcats fully committed to playing for one another, the mountaintop was not only within reach—it was conquered.

The coaching staff, led by first-year head coach Jajuan Lawson, played a pivotal role in that transformation. Through a challenging start to the season, they kept the team focused, connected, and united, laying the foundation for the remarkable run that followed and ultimately guiding the Wildcats to the top of the mountain.

Men's and Women's Basketball Open Season Ranked in Bay Area Top 20


The St. Ignatius men's and women's varsity basketball teams are off to a hot start one month into the season. According to the San Jose Mercury News Bay Area News Group Top 20 rankings, both Wildcat teams have earned spots among the area's elite, with the men's team ranked #3 and the women's team checking in at #11.

With WCAL play set to begin in January, both teams face key December tests. The men's team will travel south to compete in the prestigious Torrey Pines Holiday Classic in San Diego, while the women's team head to the East Bay to take part in the Newark Memorial Tournament.

Congratulations to both Wildcat squads on an outstanding start to the season, and best of luck as they prepare for a challenging and exciting stretch ahead.



And that's a wrap for the Wildcat Sports Report -- Go 'Cat's!