GAME RECAP AND TOP PHOTOS: Mosley, Santa Margarita Win CIF Southern Section-Ford DIV 1 Title in Palmer’s First Year as Head Coach

The first CIF-Southern Section Championship game in 13 years without either Mater Dei or St. John Bosco brought 8,775 fans to the Rose Bowl on Saturday night. And in his first season as head coach, Carson Palmer delivered a signature moment for Santa Margarita, powering the Eagles past longtime powerhouse Corona Centennial 42–7 to claim the Division 1 title. Veteran head coach Matt Logan’s Huskies saw their season end at the hands of an opponent they had already battled in a Week 2 overtime thriller.

First Quarter — Santa Margarita Strikes Fast, Defense Sets the Tone

Centennial received the opening kick and looked to establish tempo, but Santa Margarita’s defensive line immediately swallowed the drive. Back-to-back tackles for loss forced a three-and-out, setting the tone for what would be a relentless pass rush all night.

The Eagles wasted no time answering. On their first possession, QB Trace Johnson hit WR Trent Mosley on a screen that exploded all the way down to the 7-yard line. Two plays later, Mosley took a wildcat keeper into the end zone for a 2-yard score, completing a rapid 72-yard march.

Santa Margarita 7–0

Centennial gambled on fourth down near midfield on their next drive—converting once on a short-yardage push—but the momentum evaporated after RB Malaki Davis exited with a leg injury and a dropped fourth-down toss ended the possession inside the Eagles’ 10.

Santa Margarita responded instantly. Starting from their own 11, Johnson found Mosley streaking downfield for an 86-yard touchdown, his second score in just over six minutes of possession time.

Santa Margarita 14–0

The Huskies continued to struggle against the pressure, highlighted by a massive sack from Isaia Vandermade, his first of three on the night. The quarter closed with Centennial in 4th-and-long and the Eagles fully in control.

Second Quarter — Centennial Punches Back, Eagles Close Strong

After a brief SM three-and-out to open the quarter, Centennial finally found a spark. Taking over with good field position, the Huskies marched 35 yards in six plays before RB Zander Lewis powered in a 13-yard touchdown to cut the deficit.

Santa Margarita 14–7

But the Eagles hit back harder. Johnson mixed interior runs with perimeter throws before connecting with TE Luke Gazzaniga on a 33-yard strike to restore a two-score cushion.

With under 90 seconds left in the half, Santa Margarita pushed the accelerator. On 4th-and-4, Johnson delivered a clutch pass to Jake Martin to keep the drive alive. Moments later, he fired a 26-yard touchdown to WR Ryan Clark, giving the Eagles a commanding lead heading into the locker room.

Santa Margarita 28–7 at halftime

Second Half — Mosley’s Masterpiece, Defense Dominates to the Finish

Santa Margarita opened the second half with the ball, but Centennial immediately created life by forcing a fumble and recovering at the Eagles’ 36-yard line. The Huskies pushed inside the red zone, but the Eagles’ defensive line blew up a 4th-and-1 attempt, turning them away empty-handed.

What happened next became the defining moment of the championship.

Backed up at their own 7 — and briefly pushed to the 4 by a false start — the Eagles dialed up a screen to Mosley. The USC commit weaved, accelerated, and outran the entire Centennial defense for a 91-yard touchdown, his third score and the most electric play of the night.

Santa Margarita 34–7

Centennial’s next drive ended after a sack by Dash Fifita forced a fumble, and moments later, CB Ca’ron Williams intercepted Catalano and returned it deep into Husky territory. Mosley punched in a 1-yard wildcat run for his fourth touchdown, stretching the lead to 42–7.

With a running clock in the fourth quarter, Centennial managed a short midfield drive before being stalled by yet another sack from the Eagles’ front. Santa Margarita bled out the remaining time to seal a historic championship.

Final: Santa Margarita 42, Corona Centennial 7

The Eagles claim their first CIF-Southern Section title since 2011, and their first under Carson Palmer. They now advance to the CIF State Regional Tournament with a chance to contend for a California state crown in December.

The night belonged to Trent Mosley, whose performance ranks among the greatest in CIF championship history—evoking comparisons to JP Shohfi’s legendary 2015 outing for San Marino.

Key Performers

Santa Margarita

Trent Mosley: 292 receiving yards, 4 total touchdowns, including a 91-yard masterpiece

Trace Johnson (QB): 383 passing yards, 4 TD

SM Defense: 6 sacks, multiple fourth-down stops

Isaia Vandermade: 3 sacks

Corona Centennial

Zander Lewis: 1 rushing TD

Dominick Catalano: Showed toughness but was under siege all night (INT, multiple sacks)

Historical Note

Santa Margarita’s victory comes 13 years after their last CIF-SS title in 2011, when they beat San Clemente 27–13 at Angel Stadium. The win also ends a decade-long era dominated by Mater Dei and St. John Bosco, marking a seismic shift in Southern California high school football.