Watsonville High boys soccer team heads to CIF State Championship

The Wildcatz receive a police escort as they depart for the big game in Sacramento

Mar. 14, 2026 at 7:53pm

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The Watsonville High boys soccer team, ranked No. 5 in California and No. 19 nationally, received a memorable sendoff on Saturday morning as they departed for Sacramento to compete in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Division III championship. A police escort guided the newly crowned Northern Regional champions through downtown Watsonville, signaling the significance of this historic moment for the school and community.

Why it matters

This marks the first-ever CIF State Championship appearance in the program's history, capping off an incredible season for the Wildcatz under the leadership of longtime head coach Roland Hedgpeth. The team's journey to the championship game has been a remarkable turnaround after a recent three-year stretch of losing seasons.

The details

The Wildcatz will face the Southern Regional champion Los Alamitos at Natomas High School on Saturday with a 3 p.m. kickoff. Watsonville's offensive prowess, averaging 3.3 goals per game this season, will be a key factor in the championship game. The team is led by Diego Guillen, who has scored 24 goals this season, as well as juniors Justin Alfaro and Damien Moreno. On the defensive end, senior goalkeeper Adrian Fernandez has anchored a strong defense that has recorded 11 shutouts and allowed only one goal in nine games.

  • The Wildcatz departed for Sacramento on Saturday morning.
  • The CIF State Division III championship game will be played on Saturday at 3 p.m.

The players

Roland Hedgpeth

The longtime head coach of the Watsonville High boys soccer team, who has led the 'Catz to unprecedented success this season and has 11 Central Coast Section championships under his belt.

Diego Guillen

The leading scorer for the Watsonville High boys soccer team, with 24 goals this season.

Adrian Fernandez

The senior goalkeeper for the Watsonville High boys soccer team, who has anchored a strong defense that has recorded 11 shutouts and allowed only one goal in nine games.

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What’s next

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The takeaway

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