CIF-SS Football Championship
Division 1
Santa Margarita (9-3) vs. Centennial (11-1)
Where When: Rose Bowl, Friday, 7 p.m.
Parking: $15 pre-paid
TV: Spectrum News 1/Sportsnet LA
live coverage: NFHS Network (Stream)
Outlook: Santa Margarita and Centennial collide as the top two teams in the state rankings. Santa Margarita, ranked No. 2 in the state by HSRatings, defeated top-ranked Centennial 33–27 in overtime on August 28 at Trabuco Hills High.
Santa Margarita played the game without receiver Trent Mosley, who has committed to USC, due to injury, while Centennial was without coach Matt Logan (health).
Santa Margarita has reached its first section final since winning the Pac 5 division – then the top division – in 2011. This is also the last time that neither Mater Dei or St. John Bosco reached the finals.
The Eagles are led by first-year coach and Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer and a stellar defense.
With Palmer’s leadership and the expertise of defensive coordinator Steve Fifita, the Eagles have allowed only 15 points in two playoff games. For the season, Santa Margarita is holding opponents to 12.6 points per game.
The Eagles’ defense features linebackers Leki Holani (91 tackles) and Dash Fifita (83 tackles) and cornerbacks Jaden Crowder and Caron Williams. Junior defensive lineman Isaiah Vandermade has six sacks.
Centennial, looking for its first title since 2015, has an aggressive offense averaging 46.4 points before the game.
Santa Margarita’s offense hasn’t been as explosive, but they have a top playmaker in Mosley. The speedy senior has returned from injury to score a team-leading nine touchdowns (seven rushing), one from running back Zion Smith.
Tulane-commit quarterback Trace Johnson has been steady. The senior has completed 63 percent of his passes for 2,142 yards, 14 TDs and five interceptions.
Centennial QB Dominic Catalano led the Huskies to victories including the semifinals against two-time defending Division 1 champion Mater Dei.
Junior defensive back Jaden Walk-Green (10 interceptions) is a player to keep an eye on on the Huskies’ defense.
“It’s just going to be a battle,” Palmer said of the matchup. “They’re very good. They’re very well-coached. They play with poise. They’re tough. They’re great tacklers. They’re really good in the run game. They’re explosive in the pass game. They’re really long at the receiver position.”
“There are no weaknesses,” the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback said of Centennial.
Prediction: Santa Margarita. The defense and energy of Palmer’s first season led the Eagles to a title and a berth in the CIF State Open Division finals.
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