Carson Palmer’s Santa Margarita Eagles look to cap memorable season with CIF state title

Santa Margarita Coach Carson Palmer leads his team in the CIF Division 1 final at the Rose Bowl. (Photo courtesy John Luciano, For OC Sports Zone).

Carson Palmer, first year football coach at Santa Margarita Catholic High School, is looking to add one more trophy for the Eagles Saturday night when they face De La Salle in the CIF Open Division final at Saddleback College.

Kickoff is at 8 p.m.

Santa Margarita captured the CIF Division 1 championship, defeating Centennial Corona 42-7 at the Rose Bowl two weeks ago. De La Salle enters the game 12-0.

The Spartans won state titles in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015.

Santa Margarita won the CIF State Division II crown in 1997 and the Division I title in 2011.

The Eagles (10-3) are being led by some standout players who earned All-Trinity League honors:

Most Valuable Players

Offense: Trent Mosley – All-purpose (senior)

Defense: Dash Fifita – Linebacker (senior)

First-Team – Offense

Jaion Smith – Running Back (sophomore)

Isaia Vandermade – Lineman (junior)

Niniva Nicholson – Lineman (senior)

Aaron Klatt – Center (junior)

Griffin Brahm – Tight End (senior)

First-Team – Defense

Leki Holani – Linebacker (senior)

Jayden Crowder – Cornerback (senior)

Simote Katoanga – Defensive End (senior)

Manoah Faupusa – Lineman (senior)

Siua Holani – Defensive Back (senior)

Second-Team – Offense

Trace Johnson – Quarterback (senior)

Jake Martin – Wide Receiver (sophomore)

Ryan Clark – Wide Receiver (sophomore)

Adrian Petero – Running Back (freshman)

Adam Iloilo – Lineman (freshman)

Second-Team – Defense

Ca’ron Williams – Cornerback (sophomore)

Vai Manutai – Linebacker (senior)

Ivrick Carrigan – Linebacker (senior)

Tonga Uhila – Lineman (junior)

Logan Hirou – Safety (senior)

De La Salle standouts include senior quarterback Brayden Knight, senior running back Jaden Jefferson, junior running back Duece Jones-Drew, junior wide receiver Dylan Scott and senior wide receiver Landon Cook.

Defensive standouts include junior linebacker and senior defensive lineman Wyatt Ferguson.

—Source: Chuck Nam, Santa Margarita sports information director.

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