St. Ignatius will take on St. Francis tonight for the CCS Open Division title in a matchup of co-WCAL champions. After a dominating 45-7 win over Salinas, the Wildcats will now try to take another big step in year two under head coach Lenny Vandermade.

“I’m pleasantly surprised where we are at,” Vandermade said. “We have made the most of every moment.”

This has included a year of one possession wins over Cathedral Catholic, Serra, Riordan, Valley Christian and Mitty with many of those coming by way of big second half performances.

“We have a belief and confidence that we put in the work and we deserve to be here,” Vandermade said.

One exception was a 27-13 loss to St. Francis after St. Ignatius led 13-0 at the half.

“We learned we have to play 48 minutes,” Vandermade said. It was a learning moment for our team.”

The learning moment also happened for senior running back Jarious Hogan, who has been one of the top backs in Northern California this fall.

“After the St. Francis game, he was a little down with his performance in the second half. We challenged him and he didn’t take it personal,” Vandermade said.

Two weeks later, Hogan put together a record setting night in the win over Sacred Heart Cathedral.

With a season’s worth of learning moments, St. Ignatius will look to put them all together and win the program’s first section title since the 2012 Open Division title.