News Summary
Mission Viejo opened the high school football season with a 7-3 win against Santa Margarita Catholic, marking their sixth straight victory over their rivals. The tightly contested game saw both teams showcase impressive defensive skills, resulting in a scoreless first half. Mission Viejo’s Luke Fahey made a pivotal touchdown pass in the third quarter, securing the lead. With head coach Carson Palmer debuting for Santa Margarita, both teams look to capitalize on their abilities as they navigate the competitive season ahead.
Mission Viejo kicked off the high school football season with a 7-3 victory over Santa Margarita Catholic on August 22, 2025. This victory marks Mission Viejo’s sixth consecutive win against Santa Margarita and showcased strong defensive performances from both teams.
Ranked No. 3 in the state, Mission Viejo entered the game with confidence after last season’s impressive 11-1 record, which led them to the Division I quarterfinals. In contrast, Santa Margarita, ranked No. 8, concluded the previous season with a 5-7 record and also faced defeat in the Division I quarterfinals.
In a compelling matchup, both teams featured a wealth of talent, including over a dozen future Division I athletes. Among them were Vance Spafford, a senior wide receiver committed to Miami (Fla.); Jeron Jones, a senior cornerback headed to Washington; and Luke Fahey, a senior quarterback who has pledged to Ohio State. Additionally, Simote Katoanga and Trent Mosley, both seniors, have committed to USC, further highlighting the high caliber of players on both rosters.
The first half of the game was tightly contested, with both defenses showing strength and resilience, resulting in a scoreless tie at halftime. However, just before the break, Santa Margarita managed to take the lead with a 23-yard field goal from Tyler Wiegand, ending the half at 3-0.
The tide turned in the third quarter when Mission Viejo’s Fahey connected on a pivotal 33-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Jack Junker. This score shifted the momentum back in favor of Mission Viejo, giving them a 7-3 lead. This touchdown was set up following an impressive 54-yard punt that placed Santa Margarita deep in their own territory at the 4-yard line.
In a game dominated by defensive play, Mission Viejo’s defensive unit made crucial stops throughout the match, including a goal-line stand in the final quarter. Despite advancing to the Mission Viejo 8-yard line in the dying moments of the game, Santa Margarita failed to convert on a critical fourth down play, ensuring Mission Viejo’s victory.
Fahey had a standout performance, completing 16 of 22 passes for 188 yards, and he was not sacked during the game, demonstrating both skill and composure in critical moments.
Head coach Carson Palmer, a former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL player, made his debut for Santa Margarita in this game, returning to his alma mater where he had previously led the team to back-to-back CIF titles. Palmer’s hiring has generated excitement and anticipation for the season among Santa Margarita fans and players alike.
Following this matchup, which featured notability in both rankings, Mission Viejo (now ranked No. 19 nationally) looks to build on their success as they prepare for their next game against St. Paul. In contrast, Santa Margarita aims to regroup and bounce back from this loss as they continue their season under Palmer’s leadership.
As the high school football season progresses, both teams will be looking to capitalize on their strengths and challenge one another in a competitive environment, with high hopes for their paths to the postseason ahead.
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Additional Resources
- USA Today High School Sports
- Los Angeles Times
- Sports Illustrated
- Cal-Hi Sports
- Wikipedia: High School Football in the United States
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School
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.
