Photo Credit: Nicole Noel Photography
Location: San Diego, CA
League: Western
Head Coach: Sean Doyle (31st Season)
2025 Season: 11-3 (3-0 Western League, 1st)
2025 Playoffs: Lost to Folsom (CA) in State Final
2026 Outlook:
The reigning Open Division champions have nowhere to go but up—though repeating as San Diego's top dog will be no easy feat. Sean Doyle enters his 31st season at the helm with a roster that should be loaded on defense and in the backfield, but haunted by two glaring question marks: a brand-new quarterback and a largely rebuilt offensive line.
The Dons roller coaster 2025 season featured an upset lost to Point Loma, an upset win at Lincoln (who was No. 1 in the county at the time), and an unforgettable 20-16 comeback win over Carlsbad to capture the Open Division title. They also swept every first-place vote in the final Union-Tribune poll and advanced to the State championship game. But that was then.
This 2026 squad will lean heavily on USC-bound Honor Fa'alave-Johnson, the reigning section Offensive Player of the Year, who is expected to line up at running back, receiver, and cornerback. Joining him in the backfield is Willie Flores, while Isaac Cook returns as a dynamic deep threat after hauling in 49 catches for over 1,200 yards and 12 scores last season.
The real identity of this team, however, may be on the defensive side. Asofa Lauifi, a first-team All-CIF offensive lineman last year, slides over to defensive tackle. Senior Kevin Clark, who led the team with 99 total tackles last season, will form a fearsome front seven with Jordan Lilo, Titus Napolean, Ryder Molchanoff, and team sack leader Matijs Beals. Junior safety Noah Lauifi will help Fa'alave-Johnson anchor the secondary. This unit has the potential to be one of the most feared defenses in the section, with size, speed, and playmaking ability at every level. However, the Dons must replace significant production from a star-studded 2025 roster.
With Palmer off to Berkeley, the Dons enter camp with a highly competitive battle for the starting quarterback job. The new-look offensive line, while featuring promising pieces like Opetaia Escamilla and Elijah Filo, must gel quickly behind an unproven signal-caller. The good news is that Fa'alave-Johnson and Flores can shoulder the rushing load, and Cook gives the passing game a proven weapon.
Can the Dons be the first team in San Diego Section history to repeat as Open Division champions? If the quarterback settles in and the defense stays healthy, the talent is absolutely there. But this is a team that may have to win ugly, grind out fourth-quarter drives, and lean on Fa'alave-Johnson like never before. Sean Doyle has the culture, the coaching staff, and the playmakers to go back-to-back—but in the race for the Open Division, one slip-up is all it takes to end a promising season. Expect Cathedral to be right in the thick of it come November, but don't expect a smooth ride.
Impact Losses:
QB Brady Palmer (Cal)
OL Chase Deniz (USC)
DB Josh Faraimo (Colgate)
WR Hunter Harrington
DL Bronx Letuligasenoa (San Jose State)
OL Victor Velasquez II (Southwestern College)
2026 Schedule
8/28 vs. Orange Lutheran (Orange, CA)
9/4 @ Chandler (AZ)
9/11 vs. Mater Dei Catholic
9/18 @ Helix
9/25 @ Granite Hills
10/2 vs. De La Salle (Concord, CA)
10/9 @ La Jolla
10/16 @ Mission Bay*
10/23 vs. Point Loma* (R)
10/30 vs. Lincoln*
* League Opponent
(R) Revenge Game
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