Santa Margarita football rolls De La Salle to win state Open Division title
0Sooma khanDecember 14, 2025
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MISSION VIEJO — Santa Margarita’s football program completed the final stage of a radical transformation Saturday at a destination many believed wasn’t possible before the season.
The Eagles played for the CIF State Open Division championship one season removed from a 5-7 finish, and just more than a year since an alleged hazing incident surfaced.
Santa Margarita wide receiver Trent Mosley holds up the CIF State Open Division football championship trophy in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 13, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Margarita defensive end Kingston Jimmerson celebrates after the Eagles won the CIF State Open Division football championship over De La Salle in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 13, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Margarita middle linebacker Leki Holani is embraced by coach Carson Palmer as they celebrate winning the CIF State Open Division football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 13, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Margarita defensive back Siua Holani, left, celebrates his pick six with free safety Logan Hirou, right, in the CIF State Open Division football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 13, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Margarita players celebrate after winning the CIF State Open Division football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 13, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Margarita defensive back Siua Holani runs to the end zone for a pick six late in the fourth quarter against De La Salle in the CIF State Open Division football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 13, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Margarita wide receiver Trent Mosley, right, makes the reception in front of De La Salle’s Duece Jones-Drew in the CIF State Open Division football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 13, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Margarita quarterback Trace Johnson looks to fire a pass against De La Salle in the CIF State Open Division football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 13, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Margarita running back Adrian Petero, left, pulls along De La Salle Jelani Dyer as he gains yardage in the CIF State Open Division football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 13, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Margarita running back Jaion Smith runs into the end zone to score a touchdown against De La Salle in the CIF State Open Division football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 13, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Margarita wide receiver Trent Mosley, center, is congratulated by tight end Griffin Brahm, left, after scoring touchdown late in the second quarter against De La Salle in the CIF State Open Division football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Santa Margarita center Aaron Klatt is at right. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
De La Salle wide receiver Jayden Nicholas, right, makes the catch over Santa Margarita’s Titus King in the CIF State Open Division football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 13, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
De La Salle wide receiver Trisshon Wright, center, is stopped and brought down by Santa Margarita defenders in the CIF State Open Division football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 13, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Margarita middle linebacker Leki Holani, right, tries to keep De La Salle running back Jaden Jefferson, left, from scoring a touchdown in the CIF State Open Division football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 13, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
De La Salle quarterback Brayden Knight runs into Santa Margarita linebacker Dash Fifita, right in the first quarter in the CIF State Open Division football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 13, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Margarita players celebrates as time runs out in their win over De La Salle in the CIF State Open Division football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 13, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Margarita defensive end Kingston Jimmerson, right, celebrates after the Eagels won the CIF State Open Division football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 13, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Margarita players pose for a photo with their CIF State Open Division championship trophy in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 13, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
De La Salle running back Jaden Jefferson bobbles a kickoff return early in the game but is able gain control against Santa Margarita in the CIF State Open Division football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 13, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
De La Salle running back Jaden Jefferson, right, tries to gain yardage but comes up against Santa Margarita free safety Logan Hirou in the CIF State Open Division football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 13, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Santa Margarita wide receiver Trent Mosley holds up the CIF State Open Division football championship trophy in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 13, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Along the improbable run, the Eagles held their season-ending awards banquet, planned during the season, on Dec. 6.
They have much more to celebrate.
Before a large showing by its faithful, Santa Margarita followed Trent Mosley, its defense and first-year coach Carson Palmer one more time for a 47-13 victory against previously undefeated De La Salle at Saddleback College.
Santa Margarita (11-3) won its first state title since 2011 in Division 1. The Eagles were on the undercard of that championship weekend headlined by De La Salle’s victory in the Open Division final.
But with its impressive victory against De La Salle (12-1), Santa Margarita punctuated its rise as a tight-knit, national title contender with playmakers on both sides of the ball.
“It’s love. That was really the main recipe,” Santa Margarita offensive tackle Niniva Nicholson said. “A lot of us transferred, came from different schools, but we all bonded together and we loved each other. If you love each other, you’re going to hold each other accountable. We love our culture. Our coaches love us.”
“The head guy, Carson Palmer, he’s a great guy,” the senior added about the Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL quarterback. “Coach brings love and brings people together.”
The Eagles, ranked No. 2 in the nation by HSratings.com and No. 4 by High School Football America, led 35-7 at intermission and didn’t punt in the first three quarters.
Santa Margarita’s defense held the Spartans’ veer attack to 78 yards on 35 carries.
“I would put my guys against any others in the nation, any day, any week,” Mosley said. “I think we’re national champs.”
Mosley, who signed with USC earlier this month, picked up where he left off against Centennial in the CIF-SS Division 1 final on Nov. 28.
The senior finished with 11 receptions for 183 yards, and scored three touchdowns.
Against Centennial at the Rose Bowl, Mosley had 10 catches for 293 yards in a 42-7 win.
Mosley scored just 58 seconds into Santa Margarita’s first possession with a 7-yard run from the Wildcat with eight minutes left in the first quarter.
After Santa Margarita defensive lineman Simote Katoanga — another USC signee — blocked a field goal, Mosley caught a 34-yard touchdown from Trace Johnson just 59 seconds later.
With its quick-strike offense warmed up, Santa Margarita employed a trick play for its third score in as many possessions in the first quarter.
Nicholson lined up at wide receiver and raised his arms on the snap before Johnson found tight end Luke Gazzaniga open over the middle for a 20-yard touchdown with 42 seconds left in the first period.
“We call it the fake and bake for a reason,” said Nicholson, who signed with Arizona State. “My teammates were holding me accountable to be a Division 1 actor, and I believe I did that.”
Santa Margarita also showed its Trinity League toughness.
After Mosley caught a 6-yard touchdown from Johnson with 1:07 left in the opening half, he barreled through defenders for the 2-point conversion.
Linebacker Leki Holani then ended the first half with his second sack.
Santa Margarita’s players received a standing ovation from their fans, who filled the home grandstand, as they left for the locker room at halftime.
“Incredible support,” Palmer said. “Our school loves football. We’ve been down a little while and now we’re back. We’re so unique. We’re out there all by ourselves. There’s no other schools around us, so the community embraces us.”
Safety Siua Holani helped highlight the second half with a 43-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the fourth.
Johnson finished 17 of 20 for 247 yards and four TDs.
In many ways, the Eagles dominated with the speed and power displayed by Mater Dei and St. John Bosco in combining to capture the Open Division the past eight years.
Santa Margarita advanced to the state final after outscoring its three opponents in the section playoffs by a combined 94-22.
The Eagles captured their first section crown since 2011 and earned a share of their first Trinity League title since 2001.
