Friday, December 12, 2025
It was the final weekend of California's high school football season with 15 C.I.F.-State Championship Games being played at three different Orange County sites, Buena Park H.S., Fullerton H.S. and Saddleback College on Friday and Saturday.
We could only fit in one game into
our busy social calendar
This was the one for us!
San Francisco's oldest high school,
established in 1855, . . .
. . . the Wildcats were surging
after a slow, injury riddled start
St. Ignatius College Prep Wildcats
8–6 Overall, 3-4 West Catholic Athletic League
C.I.F.-State NorCal Regional 3-AA Champions
C.I.F.-Central Coast Section DII Champions
Fifth Place West Catholic Athletic League
2025 Results
vs. San Marin (8-3) – Lost 27-24
at Tamalpais (3-7) – Won 49-0
vs. Acalanes (11-1) – Lost 42-35
vs. Archbishop Mitty (6-5) – Lost 37-23 *
at Junipero Serra (8-6) – Lost 45-10 *
at Archbishop Riordan (12-1) – Lost 54-0 *
vs. Bellarmine Prep (2-8) – Won 28-0 *
at St. Francis (5-6) – Lost 28-7 *
at Valley Christian (3-7) – Won 24-14 *
at Sacred Heart (6-7) – Won 23-14 *
vs. Alisal (5-6) – Won 49-7 **
vs. Menlo (9-3) – Won 42-6 **
vs. Sacred Heart (6-7) – Won 23-14 **
vs. Monte Vista (8-6) – Won 17-13 ***
* West Catholic Athletic League Game
** C.I.F.-Central Coast Section DII Game
*** C.I.F.-State NorCal Regional 3-AA Game
vs.
Ventura County's oldest high school,
established in 1889, . . .
. . . the Cougars were also flying high
after losing two non-league games
Ventura H.S. Cougars
13-2 Overall, 5-0 Channel League
C.I.F.-State SoCal Regional 3-AA Champions
C.I.F.-Southern Section DVI Champions
Channel League Champions
2025 Results
at Thousand Oaks (8-3) – Lost 38-13
at Rio Mesa (1-9) – Won 35-6
vs. Camarillo (2-8) – Won 38-21
vs. Dos Pueblos (4-6) – Won 49-7
at Newbury Park (6-5) – Lost 43-28
vs. Buena (4-6) – Won 34-23 *
at Moorpark (10-1) – Won 43-7 *
at Royal (3-7) – Won 44-9 *
vs. Oak Park (5-6) – Won 35-7 *
at Oxnard (0-10) – Won 56-7 *
vs. Salesian (7-4) – Won 42-31 **
vs. Moorpark (10-2) – Won 35-28 **
at Agoura (10-3) – Won 28-14 **
at St. Pius X-St. Matthias (7-7) – Won 63-28 **
at Arroyo Grande (10-5) – Won 35-28 ***
* Channel League Game
** C.I.F.-Southern Section DVI Game
*** C.I.F.-State SoCal Regional 3-AA Game
The game was being played at the Fullerton Union High School District Stadium. To get there on a Friday afternoon it took us over three hours but thankfully the game didn't kickoff until 8:00 p.m., an hour later than usual.
We headed to Heroes Sports Grill in Fullerton for our traditional pre-game drill where we found . . .
. . . Dana Hills H.S. HC Tony Henney
and Ventura H.S. Dad Brett Phillips
Tony was a long time, highly successful coach in Ventura County at Nordhoff H.S., Westlake H.S. and St. Bonaventure H.S.
Brett's son Tristan is Ventura's star LB who will be playing for the Oregon Ducks next Fall.
Our late arrival time at Heroes did not give us much time to eat so we came up with Plan B.
Stadium food at a decidedly
slow concession booth
Almost ready to tee it up
Jacob was still dining on chips
when we took our group photo
Ventura on Offense first
The Cougars had a good drive going
until they fumbled at the five yard line
St. Ignatius scored a TD on their
first possession of the game
End of the First Quarter
Ventura - 14
St. Ignatius - 7
The Ventura QB drops back . . .
. . . sees an open receiver . . .
. . . and hits with a laser shot to
set up another VHS TD
The Cougars had made uncharacteristic mistakes that we had not seen them commit in the previous Cougars games that we had attended.
It was a fun First Half to watch, but the Cougars were trailing.
Halftime Score
St. Ignatius - 28
Ventura - 21
Jacob and Micheal playing catch
under the home stands at Halftime
Goal Line Offense for VHS . . .
. . . led to an easy TD
Poor technique by the usually sure tackling Cougars was really hurting Ventura's chances tonight.
End of the Third Quarter
St. Ignatius - 35
Ventura - 28
The Cougars were still behind, but the promise of a barn burner of a Fourth Quarter loomed.
It took not one but two back-to-back
major VHS brain farts to seal the game
St. Ignatius had the ball at the Ventura 42 yard line facing a Fourth and 12 situation, up 35-28. They decided to Punt and pin Ventura deep in their own territory.
Before the Punt snap, a flag flew and whistles blew.
Ventura had 12 men on the field.
Fourth and seven at the Cougars 37, the Wildcats still opted to Punt.
Before the Punt snap, a flag flew and whistles blew.
Ventura still had 12 men on the field.
Fourth and two at the Ventura 32, St. Ignatius decided to go for it and made the crucial First Down.
On the next play they scored a TD to take a 14 point lead with time running out quickly.
It was too much for Ventura to overcome although they did score again but could not recover the ensuing onside kick late in the game.
Hail to the Champions!
Final Score
St. Ignatius (9-6) - 42
Ventura (13-3) - 35
Unfortunately, one team had to end a fabulous season with a gut wrenching loss. Tonight, it was the team we were backing.
Still, at some point in the future after some time passes, everyone involved with the 2025 Ventura H.S. football team will look back at a squad that were Champions of the Channel League, the C.I.F.-Southern Section's Division VI and the SoCal 3-AA Regional with an astounding 13 wins.
GREAT SEASON COUGARS!
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