Cate School

Rams Win Opener Over Villanova HS

August 31, 2026

Week 1 Villanova Prep

Saturday 8/29/2026- 7pm

8/29/26 BV Football Cate vs Villanova HS

Yesterday, our Cate varsity football team traveled to Villanova for our first game of the year in this non-league local match. While the Rams may have started slow with only an 8-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. We quickly turned it on, finishing the game 46-0.

Final Score

Cate 8 16 16 6 46

Villanova 0 0 0 0 0

Highlights

  • Sam Lambiotte – 3/5 44 yards 1 TD Passing, 2 rushing and 3 tackles

  • Michael Mumbo – 104 All purpose yards (team leader in yards) 1 TD

  • Will Murray – 2 TD + 2 2-PT Conversions

  • Julian Belfer – 1 TD Pass (First varsity TD)

  • Jonah Vann – 2 Sacks

  • Andrew Jayich – 7 Tackles, 1 Sack  (team leader in tackles)

Coach’s Take

The Cate Rams entered their season opener following a grueling three weeks of preparation, with practices at times limited by heat restrictions and challenging conditions. Returning just three starters from last year’s championship team, the Rams entered the season expecting to compete but still searching for an identity of their own.

Cate started slowly, holding just an 8–0 lead at the end of the first quarter behind several strong runs from junior quarterback Sam Lambiotte. But in the second quarter, the young Rams began to find that identity and we never looked back. From there, Cate turned up the grit, physicality, and tenacity, leading to breakout performances on both sides of the ball.

Defensively,  Juniors Andrew Jayich and Jonah Vann were stalwarts for the Rams, combining for more than 10 tackles and two sacks while helping anchor a defense that kept its opponent off the scoreboard for the entire game. Offensively, the Rams exploded behind captain and leader Sam Lambiotte. Michael Mumbo provided another spark with a team-leading 104 all-purpose yards and a touchdown, while William Murray added two touchdowns of his own along with a pair of two-point conversions. By the final whistle, Cate had turned an 8–0 first-quarter advantage into a commanding 46–0 victory. The Rams now turn their sights toward Valley Christian Academy  of Santa Maria, where they will look to build on the momentum in another Saturday evening matchup.

Head Coach Ben Soto had this to say, “These are exciting times on the Mesa. With such a young roster already beginning to establish its identity, expectations and excitement surrounding this group will only continue to grow as the season progresses. Our team turned in a good job considering  the limited  time that we have been able to get onto the field due to heat restrictions.  My Coaches have done an outstanding job preparing the team in our classroom meetings.”

Up Next

Varsity Football – Cate at Valley Christian Academy (Santa Maria) – Saturday, Sept 5th at 6pm

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