Rams Fall to Valley Christian Academy in Season Opener

The Cate Rams opened up their 2025 football season playing the inaugural game at their new home, Meldman Field. On a sweltering Carpinteria day the Rams hosted renewed rival Valley Christian Academy of Santa Maria. Led by Head Coach Ben Soto in his 21st year at the helm, the Rams are looking to expand on their back-to-back CIF-SS semifinal runs in 2023 and 2024.

The first quarter saw a flurry of activity from the opening kickoff. The visiting Lions jumped out with a quick long distance run for an opening touchdown putting Cate in an early 6-0 hole after the Rams stopped the two point conversion. The ensuing drive stopped at midfield, turning the ball over on downs back to VCA. Almost immediately the Rams interior defense forced a fumble that was recovered by senior Brady Mogensen. Back in business, Cate scored quickly with when running back and senior co-captain Josh Butler went the distance on a sweep from 35 yards out giving the Rams a 7-6 lead. On the ensuing possession, VCA strung together a 65 yard touchdown drive putting the Lions back out in front. It didn’t take long for the Rams to answer as they struck paydirt on their very next offensive snap. Junior quarterback Alek Kroehl, making his first varsity start, hit senior co-captain Chase Meyer in stride for a 65 yard strike. Junior Nolan Montoya converted the PAT, his second of the day to give the Rams a 14-12 lead to close out first quarter scoring.

The Rams defense kicked into drive when senior Noah Casbarro intercepted a Lion pass to start the second quarter action. While the ensuing Ram drive would fizzle at midfield, the Ram defense forced another fumble which was recovered by sophomore Sam Lambiotte. Cate and VCA would trade drives before Kroehl would connect with Casbarro for a 15 yard scoring strike through the air allowing Cate to take a 20-12 lead into halftime.

A back and forth 3rd quarter saw the two teams trade blows with neither side willing to bend. Senior Co-Captain Barron Crayton helped the Rams control the defensive tempo with a sack and 2 tackles for loss before Lambiotte struck again with an interception late in the third quarter. The Rams took a shot at the end zone when a well placed ball was knocked away from Meyer at the last second. VCA managed to drive the field scoring as the clock sounded to end the third quarter sending the teams to the final stanza tied at 20 apiece.

The 4th quarter would prove to be a strong one for VCA. As the 20-20 mark held until 3 minutes to play before the Lions converted a 28 yard field goal with 2:54 to play. The Rams attempted to mount one last drive to erase the deficit, but were forced to punt after the drive stalled. VCA tacked on an insurance touchdown sealing the Rams fate. Once the final whistle blew, the Lions topped the Rams 30-20

After the game Ben Soto reflected on the positives he saw. “After graduating 16 seniors from last year’s squad, we knew we just had to get our young guys some reps. While the outcome wasn’t what we hoped for, it gave us some valuable experience going up against a quality opponent. Valley Christian has been a solid program, playing for a championship in 2023 and having won back to back league championships themselves. We will continue to learn and improve as it is a long season and this was just week one.”

The Rams will take their bye week next week as the school heads out on their annual Outings Week camping trips before heading to Los Angeles to face off against two time City Section Champions Animo Robinson on September 13 at 1:30 p.m.