GAME RECAP: Defending CIF State Champs No. 3 Santa Margarita Open 2026 with Dominant 27-0 Shutout of Florida’s Jones

MISSION VIEJO — The defending CIF State Open Division champions didn’t ease into the new season. They made a statement.

No. 3 Santa Margarita Catholic blanked Jones High (Orlando, Fla.) 27-0 on Friday night at Saddleback College, delivering a complete, physical performance in the 2026 opener. Junior quarterback Fletch Palmer, making his first career start, accounted for two touchdowns and looked comfortable under center for the bulk of the night.

The Eagles struck first in the opening quarter. Cornerback Ca’ron Williams intercepted a pass that set Santa Margarita up in scoring position. Running back Adrian Petero finished the short drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge, giving the home side a 7-0 lead. Defensive back Rayshawn Brandon added another interception later in the quarter to keep the Tigers off the board.

Santa Margarita extended the advantage early in the second quarter when Palmer connected with freshman Kiyan Callis on a 10-yard touchdown pass for his first career scoring throw. The lead grew to 14-0.

Palmer saved his best for later, lofting a 39-yard strike to junior transfer Grant Van Raaporst. The receiver cut over the middle, got behind the secondary, and hauled it in for the score that effectively put the game away. Palmer finished with two touchdown passes in the debut.

The defense was stifling from start to finish. Jaion Smith and Rayshawn Brandon both recorded interceptions, and the unit never allowed Jones to generate any sustained momentum. Santa Margarita started four freshmen — three of them on defense — and still produced a clean shutout against a Florida program that reached its state championship game a year ago.

The final score read 27-0, a controlled, businesslike opening night for a team that enters the season as a marked target after last year’s CIF-SS Division 1 and state titles.

Santa Margarita improves to 1-0. Next up is a challenging early stretch that begins with a road trip to Corona Centennial. Jones drops to 0-1 after the long cross-country trip.