UPDATE: In a thrilling showdown at Trabuo Hills, Mission Viejo bested Santa Margarita with a narrow 7-3 victory late Friday night, marking an exhilarating start to the high school football season.
With the clock winding down, Mission Viejo’s coach Chad Johnson praised his team’s defensive effort, declaring, “Phenomenal job” to his players. The game, reminiscent of a high-stakes Southern Section Division 1 playoff clash, showcased intense talent and coaching prowess.
Leading the charge was Luke Fahey, a highly-touted quarterback committed to Ohio State. Fahey delivered a clutch 33-yard touchdown pass to Jack Junker late in the third quarter, erasing a 3-0 deficit and energizing the crowd.
Junker, who previously played for Santa Margarita, reflected on the pivotal moment: “It was a deep shot to the corner. See if we could make a play.” The touchdown came after a massive 54-yard punt by Mission Viejo’s punter Isaiah Murgia, pinning Santa Margarita deep in their own territory.
Despite solid performances from both teams, the Eagles, under the first-time coaching of Carson Palmer, struggled to recover from the late touchdown. The game was characterized by defensive displays, with no scoring until the final play of the first half when Tyler Wiegand kicked a 23-yard field goal.
Mission Viejo faced immense pressure from Santa Margarita’s defensive line, particularly from transfers Simonte Katoanga, Manoah Faupusa, and Isaia Vandermade, who thwarted goal-line attempts multiple times. Fahey showcased his agility, completing 16 of 22 passes for 169 yards and only suffering one sack.
“They had a really good game plan,” Fahey noted. “That was a great defensive line, and we had to battle through adversity. It shows what kind of team we have.”
The final moments heightened the tension as Mission Viejo secured the win when Santa Margarita failed to convert on a crucial fourth down from the eight-yard line with just 26 seconds remaining in the game.
As both teams head into the remainder of the season, this game revealed vulnerabilities within the powerful Trinity League. Notably, JSerra faced a staggering 35-0 defeat against Sierra Canyon, while Servite fell to Corona Centennial 42-14. In a bright spot, St. John Bosco earned a 31-0 victory over Manatee in Florida, a game interrupted by lightning.
As fans eagerly anticipate upcoming matchups, all eyes will be on Orange Lutheran and Mater Dei, who are set to clash this Saturday in Florida. Stay tuned for more updates as the high school football season unfolds.