News Summary
In a tightly contested season opener, Mission Viejo claimed a 7-3 victory against Santa Margarita at Trabuco Hills. A key moment came when quarterback Luke Fahey connected with Jack Junker for a 33-yard touchdown pass, shifting momentum in the game. Both teams showcased strong defensive play, and despite Santa Margarita’s early lead with a field goal, Mission Viejo’s defense held firm, sealing their win and demonstrating their competitive edge in the Trinity League. With this victory, Mission Viejo continues its winning streak against Santa Margarita.
Mission Viejo – In a tightly contested season opener, Mission Viejo clinched a thrilling 7-3 victory over Santa Margarita late Friday night at Trabuco Hills. The game showcased the intensity of a typical Southern Section Division 1 playoff matchup, highlighting the defensive prowess of both teams.
Mission Viejo coach Chad Johnson expressed pride in his team’s defensive effort, noting their “phenomenal job” throughout the game. The standout moment for Mission Viejo came late in the third quarter, when quarterback Luke Fahey, who is committed to Ohio State, connected with Jack Junker for a 33-yard touchdown pass that turned the tide after trailing 3-0. Junker’s score was particularly significant as he had previously played for Santa Margarita before transferring to Mission Viejo.
The pivotal touchdown followed a crucial 54-yard punt from Mission Viejo punter Isaiah Murgia, which pinned Santa Margarita on their own four-yard line. A short punt on the ensuing series then set up Mission Viejo at Santa Margarita’s 33-yard line, facilitating Fahey’s successful pass to Junker.
Fahey had an impressive performance, completing 16 of 22 passes for 169 yards and facing just one sack. He was particularly effective in the first half, connecting on 9 of 12 passes for 106 yards. Meanwhile, Trent Mosley had a notable 67-yard touchdown catch nullified by a penalty, which could have changed the dynamics of the game even earlier.
Both teams displayed tight defenses, with significant pressure applied to the quarterbacks throughout the game. The first half concluded without any scores until the final play of the second quarter, when Tyler Wiegand made a 23-yard field goal to give Santa Margarita a temporary lead. With only 26 seconds remaining in the game, Mission Viejo’s defense held strong as Santa Margarita failed to complete a critical fourth down pass from their eight-yard line, sealing Mission Viejo’s victory.
On the other side, Santa Margarita was led by quarterback Trace Johnson, who recorded a commendable performance, completing 13 of 16 passes for a total of 138 yards, and finishing the game with 208 yards in total. Notably, Santa Margarita’s defensive line featured several transfers, including Simote Katoanga, Manoah Faupusa, and Isaia Vandermade, who played key roles in stopping Mission Viejo’s offense.
With this latest win, Mission Viejo has now secured six consecutive victories over Santa Margarita, laying a strong foundation for the remainder of their season. The outcome also highlights a challenging start for teams in the powerful Trinity League, with JSerra and Servite also experiencing defeats on the same night.
Looking ahead, Mission Viejo is set to face St. Paul, while Santa Margarita will gear up for a matchup against Centennial. Both teams will be eager to learn from this opening game as they progress through the season.
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Additional Resources
- MaxPreps: Mission Viejo Starts Off Right With Win Over Santa Margarita
- Wikipedia
- OC Register: Mission Viejo Football Wins Triple Crown
- Google Search: Mission Viejo football
- LA Times: Mission Viejo Football Playoff Game Recap
- Google Scholar: Mission Viejo football
- MaxPreps: Mission Viejo Gets The Win
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mission Viejo
- OC Register: Mission Viejo Football Rolls To Win Over Edison
- Google News: Mission Viejo football
Author: STAFF HERE MISSION VIEJO WRITER
MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER The MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMissionViejo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Mission Viejo, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Oso Fit 5K Fun Run and Community Health Fair, Walk Against Drugs & Community Fair, and National Night Out. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce and Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, plus leading businesses in retail and education that power the local economy such as The Shops at Mission Viejo, Capistrano Unified School District, and Amazon Delivery Station. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
