CONCORD — If there was any doubt who NorCal’s top team was, De La Salle put that all to rest on Friday night.
The Spartans rolled past San Diego powerhouse and the No. 13 team in MaxPreps’ California rankings, Cathedral Catholic, at home 35-14 to win their sixth straight game.
“When you play a top-level, highly-ranked Southern California team, I wanted us to show out well,” De La Salle coach Justin Alumbaugh. “We knew they had a lot of athleticism. They’re really well coached. It means a lot to this program. These guys want to get to a state championship.”
De La Salle quarterback Brayden Knight (14) reaches to score a touchdown against Cathedral Catholic in the first quarter of their game at De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. De La Salle defeated Cathedral Catholic 35-14. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
It was a statement win that reaffirmed De La Salle’s grip on the region.
“This was definitely was one of our biggest tests for sure,” quarterback Brayden Knight said. “This was just another step for us on the road to an open state championship. It was a challenge for us and they were a great team.”
Knight finished the game as De La Salle’s leading rusher with 102 yards and added two rushing scores. North Carolina commit Jaden Jefferson rushed for 76 yards.
As a team, the Spartans rushed for 250 yards.
De La Salle opened the game with a strong start, completing a 10-play drive that ended with a seven-yard rushing touchdown from Greg Jones.
After forcing a three-and-out, the Spartans took a two-score lead after Knight took a designed-QB run 40 yards to the house to put the home team up 14.
De La Salle’s Jamal Johnson-Lucas (24) dives into the end zone for a touchdown against Cathedral Catholic in the fourth quarter of their game at De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. De La Salle defeated Cathedral Catholic 35-14. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
De La Salle extended its advantage to three scores on its third possession of the game on a two-yard plunge from Jamal Johnson-Lucas.
Cathedral Catholic’s Cal-bound quarterback Brady Palmer left late in the second quarter with a shoulder injury, forcing backup Nathan Ashmore to enter the game.
The Dons found some momentum near the end of the first half after running back Willie Flores found a hole on the right side of the offensive line and walked into the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown.
At halftime, De La Salle led 21-7.
The Spartans continued their momentum out of the halftime break.
A muffed shotgun snap on their first possession of the third quarter gave way for a Dons’ three-and-out. Cathedral Catholic’s punt went just 15 yards as De La Salle’s offense opened the second half with the ball on its own 16.
Three plays later, Knight rushed for his second touchdown of the game, this time from five yards out.
Cathedral Catholic gave the Spartans one last run late in the third. The San Diego school completed a five-play, 59-yard drive that ended with a rushing score from Honor Faalave to cut the De La Salle lead to 28-14 going into the fourth quarter.
De La Salle’s Mya Telona (59) and Peli Pasa (19) sack Cathedral Catholic quarterback Brady Palmer (10) in the first quarter of their game at De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. De La Salle defeated Cathedral Catholic 35-14. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
But on a crucial drive down two scores early in the fourth, De La Salle’s defense held strong, forcing a turnover-on-downs when it stopped Cathedral on fourth-and-1 on its own 23.
The Spartans responded with a 14-yard rushing touchdown from Johnson-Lucas that iced the game for the Spartans.
Despite giving up two touchdowns, De La Salle’s defense held the explosive Cathedral Catholic offense to just 212 yards of total offense.
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“The goal was to set the tone and be the more physical team,” defensive lineman Mya Telona said. “It’s such a key point of emphasis for our team.”
De La Salle will enter a bye week before opening league play at Amador Valley on Oct. 17.
Through the first six weeks, De La Salle has beaten some of the top-ranked teams in the state, including Serra, St. Francis, Grant-Sacramento and St. Mary’s-Stockton. The Spartans opened the season with a 10-6 victory over Lakeland-Florida.
“This is a team that wants to be great and they’re working hard towards it,” Alumbaugh said. “We’re not perfect, but they’re motivated. They really enjoy being around each other and they love football, too.”
Scary moment
With just over six minutes left in the game, a collision on a punt return left Cathedral Catholic safety Noah Lauifi on the ground for several minutes.
The injury appeared to be a on his right ankle and a stretcher was brought out to carry Lauifi off the field. Lauifi was eventually put in an ambulance and taken to a local hospital.
The injury caused the game to be stopped for several minutes.
Cathedral Catholic players kneel on the field as they watch medical staff attend to their teammate Noah Lauifi (11) after sustaining a broken ankle in the fouth quarter of their game at De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. Lauifi was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. De La Salle defeated Cathedral Catholic 35-14. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Cathedral Catholic players kneel on the field as they watch medical staff attend to their teammate Noah Lauifi (11) after sustaining a broken ankle in the fouth quarter of their game at De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. Lauifi was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. De La Salle defeated Cathedral Catholic 35-14. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Cathedral Catholic’s Victor Velasquez II (71) is assisted off the field after sustaining an injury in the second quarter of their game at De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. De La Salle defeated Cathedral Catholic 35-14. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Cathedral Catholic quarterback Nathan Ashmore (18) is emotional as the team prays after the game for their teammate Noah Lauifi (11) after their game at De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. Lauifi broke his ankle and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. De La Salle defeated Cathedral Catholic 35-14. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Medical staff prepare to transport Cathedral Catholic’s Noah Lauifi (11) off the field in the fourth quarter of their game at De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. Lauifi broke his ankle and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. De La Salle defeated Cathedral Catholic 35-14. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Cathedral Catholic head coach Sean Doyle walks on the field in the fourth quarter of their game at De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. De La Salle defeated Cathedral Catholic 35-14. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
De La Salle’s Landon Cook (11) catches a pass while being tackled by Cathedral Catholic’s Noah Lauifi (11) in the second quarter of their game at De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. De La Salle defeated Cathedral Catholic 35-14. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
De La Salle’s Dylan Scott (12) catches a two-point conversion against Cathedral Catholic in the second quarter of their game at De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. De La Salle defeated Cathedral Catholic 35-14. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
