ST. IGNATIUS ATHLETICS
Wildcats Football
SI Football Schedule Preview
There is an exciting season ahead for the Wildcats! With JaJuan Lawson at the helm and a solid preseason schedule, the team should be well-prepared for WCAL play. There will plenty of exciting match-ups, but the energy of Friday Night Lights and the historic Bruce-Mahoney Game at Kezar should make for an unforgettable season.
The 3 non-league games will provide a great challenge early on! Acalanes and San Marin have strong programs, and should give the Wildcats a good gauge of where they stand before WCAL play. Tamalpais will be a solid opponent as well. Facing different styles of play in the preseason should help the team adjust before the league grind begins.
The West Catholic Athletic League is competitive and tough match-ups are weekly, especially on the road. Serra is always a powerhouse, Riordan is building a strong program, and St. Francis is consistently one of the top teams in the WCAL. Those games will really test SI's resilience and depth.
The Wildcats will need to bring their best, but winning even one or two of those could be huge for momentum heading into the rest of league play.
SI Returning Players
There's a solid core of returning players! Zui Shelton and Tyran Hicks should provide big play potential on offense, while Hicks' versatility in the secondary will be key for the defense. Charlie Ball anchoring the linebacker group brings leadership, and with Elijah Farrah at tight end, the offense has another strong target. The trio of Jonah Chavez, Seb Connelly, and David Delucchi on the line will be crucial in the trenches.
The quarterback position will be an exciting preseason competition with a mix of youth and experience competing for the starting job can push everyone to step up. Spring Football and summer workouts will be huge for determining who takes control of the offense.
The JV Football team had a good year and that's a big plus for the Wildcats—having a strong JV squad moving up means there's plenty of talent ready to contribute. With Coach Greg Mangan now leading the varsity offense, he already knows many of these players and can help them transition smoothly.
That's a great group of rising talent! Andrew Taylor, Jack Lucas, Jack Reidey, and Stephen Swindle will have a big opportunity to make an immediate impact at the varsity level. With a new QB stepping in and some key returners leading the way, it'll be exciting to see how they contribute.
SI Coaching Staff
Coach Lawson core values produce a powerful message —building a program on love, family, and faith creates a strong foundation both on and off the field. If the team buys into those values, they'll be able to push through challenges and grow together throughout the season. Most of the coaching staff returns and that continuity should definitely help with the transition, especially with a new quarterback stepping in. Adding some new wrinkles on both offense and defense could give the Wildcats an edge, especially in a tough WCAL schedule.
With that mindset, it sounds like the Wildcats are aiming to not just compete but to build a culture of trust and hard work. Should be an exciting year!
Nothing beats the energy of home games with a packed crowd and the SI community coming together! WCAL football is always intense, and having that home-field advantage will be huge for the Wildcats.
Between Friday Night Lights, big match-ups, and the Bruce-Mahoney Game at Kezar, it's shaping up to be a special season. Can't wait to see how it all unfolds—Go Wildcats!
