If you’ve ever stood in the stands at Byers Field or John Carroll on a crisp October night, you know that Saint Ignatius football isn't just a high school sport. It’s a culture. But let’s be real for a second—the 2025 season was a massive reality check for the program. Looking at the st ignatius cleveland football schedule, you’ll see a gauntlet that would make most college teams sweat.
The Wildcats finished the 2025 campaign with a 1-10 record. That’s not a typo. For a program with 11 state titles, that kind of season feels like a glitch in the Matrix. But if you actually dig into who they played, the record starts to make sense. Coach Ryan Franzinger’s squad didn't take a single "off" week.
The Brutal Reality of the 2025 Schedule
The season kicked off with a thumping from Avon, a 40-14 loss that set a difficult tone. From there, it was a revolving door of Ohio powerhouses. You had Pickerington North, Mentor, and Walsh Jesuit all in a row. Honestly, playing Mentor and Walsh Jesuit back-to-back is basically asking for a bruise that doesn't heal until Christmas.
The lone bright spot? A 45-33 win over Riverside on September 19th. It showed what the offense could do when things clicked. But then came the Holy War.
The St. Edward Rivalry and the Cincinnati Trip
On October 3rd, the Wildcats traveled to Lakewood to face St. Edward. They put up 31 points—the most they’d score in a loss all year—but the defense just couldn't contain the Eagles, falling 45-31.
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Directly after that emotional drain, they had to hop on a bus to Cincinnati to face Archbishop Moeller. Most teams would schedule a "get right" game after a rivalry loss. Not Ignatius. They took a 42-10 loss to Moeller and followed it up with another loss to St. Xavier the next week. It was a brutal three-week stretch of Top 10 opponents.
Breaking Down the 2025 Results
To see where the 2026 season needs to pivot, we have to look at the final scores from this past year. It wasn't just about losing; it was about where the gaps were.
- Week 1: at Avon (L, 14-40)
- Week 2: vs. Pickerington North (L, 7-20)
- Week 3: at Mentor (L, 21-35)
- Week 4: vs. Walsh Jesuit (L, 0-31)
- Week 5: at Riverside (W, 45-33)
- Week 6: vs. Benedictine (L, 14-16)
- Week 7: at St. Edward (L, 31-45)
- Week 8: at Archbishop Moeller (L, 10-42)
- Week 9: vs. St. Xavier (L, 7-41)
- Week 10: vs. Football North-Clarkson (L, 13-28)
- Playoffs: at Perrysburg (L, 17-24 OT)
That playoff game against Perrysburg was a heartbreaker. Going into overtime after a 1-9 regular season showed that the "Wildcat Way" was still there, even if the wins weren't.
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What to Expect for the 2026 Schedule
While the official 2026 st ignatius cleveland football schedule dates are being finalized by the OHSAA and the school's athletic department, we can project the rotation based on standard two-year contracts.
Expect many of these matchups to flip locations. If Ignatius played at Avon or Mentor in 2025, those powerhouses are likely coming to Cleveland in 2026. This home-field advantage will be vital for a young roster looking to reclaim its status.
Key Dates to Circle
The "Holy War" against St. Edward usually lands in Week 7 or 8. In 2026, this will likely be a home game for the Wildcats. Whether it’s played at a neutral site like FirstEnergy Stadium (now Huntington Bank Field) or a local venue like Euclid, the atmosphere will be electric.
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The Jesuit Triple Crown—facing Moeller and St. Xavier—is also a staple. These games aren't just about football; they are about the deep-rooted connections between the Jesuit schools in Ohio.
How to Get Tickets and Follow Along
Buying tickets has changed a bit. You can't just show up with a ten-dollar bill and hope for the best anymore.
- Digital First: Most tickets are sold through the Saint Ignatius Athletics website via HomeTown Ticketing.
- The SIBN: If you can't make it to the game, the Saint Ignatius Broadcasting Network (SIBN) is arguably the best student-led broadcast in the country. They stream almost every varsity game for free.
- Away Games: For games against public schools like Mentor or Avon, you’ll often have to use the home team’s ticketing portal.
Building for the Future
Coach Franzinger is a defensive guy. He played for Chuck Kyle and knows exactly what the blue and gold represent. The 2025 season was a trial by fire for a lot of sophomores and juniors.
The biggest misconception is that Ignatius is "down." In reality, the schedule is just so top-heavy that there is zero margin for error. If the Wildcats can find a consistent answer at quarterback and shore up the interior defensive line, the 2026 schedule won't look nearly as daunting.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Download the App: Use the "Ignatius Wildcats" app for real-time score updates and roster changes.
- Check the Venue: Ignatius doesn't have an on-campus stadium. They play at various sites like John Carroll's Don Shula Stadium or Euclid Community Stadium. Always double-check the location 24 hours before kickoff.
- Support the Youth: Keep an eye on the Freshman Gold and JV schedules. The 2025 Freshman Gold team had some impressive wins, which is usually the best indicator of a Varsity turnaround.
The road back to the state playoffs starts long before the first whistle in August. It starts in the weight room and with a schedule that demands excellence every single Friday night.