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CIF-SS FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
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 clash as the top two teams in the state rankings. Santa Margarita, ranked No. 2 in the state by HSratings, edged top-ranked Centennial 33-27 in overtime at Trabuco Hills High on Aug. 28.
Santa Margarita played the game without receiver Trent Mosley, who is 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. That’s also the last time that neither Mater Dei or St. John Bosco made 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 defensive coordinator Steve Fifita’s expertise, the Eagles have allowed only 15 points in two playoff games. For the season, Santa Margarita has held opponents to 12.6 points per game.
The Eagles’ defense features linebackers Leki Holani (91 tackles) and Dash Fifita (83 tackles) and cornerbacks Jayden Crowder and Ca’ron Williams. Junior defensive lineman Isaia Vandermade has six sacks.
Centennial, seeking its first title since 2015, has an up-tempo offense that is averaging 46.4 points pre game.
Santa Margarita’s offense hasn’t been as explosive but features a top playmaker in Mosley. The speedy senior has overcome an injury to score a team-leading nine touchdowns (seven rushing), one ahead of running back Jaion Smith.
Tulane-committed 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 Dominick Catalano led the Huskies to a pair of victories against two-time defending Division 1 champion Mater Dei, including in the semifinals.
Junior defensive back Jaden Walk-Green (10 interceptions) is a player to watch on the Huskies’ defense.
“It’s just going to be a fistfight,” Palmer said of the matchup. “They’re so good. They’re so 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’s not a weakness,” the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback added about Centennial.
Prediction: Santa Margarita. Defense and the energy of Palmer’s first season carry the Eagles to the title and a berth in the CIF State Open Division final.
