Highland - Game Notes
SMCHS Eagles (1-1) vs Highland Bulldogs (0-2)
at Highland HS (Palmdale)
Friday, September 5, 2025 - 7:00 p.m.
Original PDF
HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST WEEK’S GAME VERSUS Centennial
The recurring theme at Friday’s dramatic game versus Centennial (Corona) was that of “firsts.” There were so many firsts to track, but we counted them all:
Firsts from Thursday’s Game vs. Centennial (Corona)
- Career pass reception and touchdown by Ryan Clark
- Career pass reception by Jagger Apt (3 total)
- Career touchdown by Grant Mosley (39 yards)
- Career pass interception returned for a touchdown by Ca’ron “Prime” Williams (80 yards)
- Multi-interception game by Ca’ron “Prime” Williams
- SMCHS touchdown scored by quarterback Trace Johnson
- SMCHS touchdown pass thrown by quarterback Trace Johnson
- Career rushing touchdown by Adrian Petero (Overtime)
- Snap from center by Fletch Palmer -- last play of regulation / kneel down
- SMCHS overtime game played since 2013 -- a loss at Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
- SMCHS overtime game win since 2010 -- at St. John Bosco
- Career high school coaching win for Carson Palmer
- Centennial scored a touchdown on the first play of the game
Offense Shines
Trace Johnson threw two touchdown passes while going on 17-of-25 passing (68.0%) for 209 yards. After establishing a rapport with tight end Luke Gazzaniga last week, this week the connection was with sophomore Ryan Clark who caught seven passes for 78 yards (11.1 average) and a score. Gazzaniga had six receptions for 83 yards (13.8 average). Adrian Petero and Jaion Smith combined to gain 156 yards on the ground. Grant Mosley’s first career visit to the end zone covered 39 yards. SMCHS gained 380 total yards of offense.
Defense Makes Loud Statement
On defense, Simote Katoanga registered 1 1/2 sacks and Leki Holani notched one-half sack to go along with his 10 total tackles. Dash Fifita led all tacklers with 14. The entire Santa Margarita Catholic defense pestered Huskies quarterback Dominic Catalano into three interceptions and a fumble -- all in the first half -- capitalizing for three touchdowns.
Overtime Time
Centennial received on the first possession of overtime. The Huskies failed to convert for any score. The big fourth-down play came from Leki Holani. He was able to bat down Catalano’s pass and thwart the Huskies strive for the end zone.
The ball was then in the Eagles hand to see what they could muster. SMCHS proceeded to run the ball on eight of their nine plays. The winner came freshman running back Adrian Petero who broke three tackles to claw his way into the end zone from the one-yard line for the 33-27 triumph.
SMCHS is now 3-5 all-time in overtime games in the 36-plus seasons of play. The win over Centennial is the second in as many seasons by the Eagles. Many experts contend that both victories were upsets. In each instance, the Huskies were nationally ranked in all the reputable polls.
Record on Hold
Trent Mosley missed the game with an injury. He has 176 career pass receptions for SMCHS. The school record is 178 by Brian Finneran who completed his career in 1993. Mosley will look to zip up the career mark with those three catches needed upon his return to the lineup.
Recent Player Honors
ORANGE COUNTY MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Ca’ron Williams
Year: Sophomore
Position: Cornerback
Height: / Weight: 6-0 / 170
Noteworthy: Williams delivered a solid game from his cornerback position for Santa Margarita Catholic High School (SMCHS) as the Eagles upset Centennial (Corona) for the second-consecutive season. This game went to overtime and saw SMCHS prevail, 33-27. Williams logged two interceptions final minutes of the first half -- returning the first for 62 yards and a touchdown. The man they call “Prime” also had 8 total tackles (5 solo) for the game. The touchdown was the first defensive score for SMCHS since Leki Holani returned a pick for a score at Leuzinger (Lawndale) last September.
2025 All-USA Football Team Watch List -- West Region
Notable Wide Receivers - West Region
- Trent Mosley
Notable Defensive Linemen - West Region
- Simote Katoanga
CURRENT COMPOSITE POLL RANKINGS
| Media Outlet | Coverage Area | Rank |
| The Orange County Register / ocregister.com | Orange County | 3 |
| The Los Angeles Times / latimes.com | Los Angeles Metro | 6 |
| Orange County | 4 | |
| Cal-Hi Sports / calhisports.com | California | 6 |
| CIF-Southern Section | 5 | |
| HS Ratings / hsratings.com Formerly Cal Preps / calpreps.com |
Nation - Computer | 15 |
| California | 5 | |
| CIF-Southern Section | 5 | |
| MaxPreps.com (PlayOn! Sports / NFHS Network) | Nation - Computer | 17 |
| Nation - Manual | 17 | |
| California | 5 | |
| si.com / SBLive / scorebooklive.com Sports Illustrated High School |
Nation | 22 |
| Southwest Region | 5 | |
| California | 7 | |
| CIF-Southern Section | 6 | |
| Massey Ratings / On3.com | Nation | 35 |
| California - Composite | 5 | |
| California - Massy | 6 | |
| High School Football America (HSFA) / NFL Play Football highschoolfootballamerica.com |
Nation | 20 |
| California | 5 | |
| The Sporting News / sportingnews.com | Nation - Composite | 37 - Tie |
| California | 6 | |
| ESPN / espn.com | Nation | 23 |
| California | 5 | |
| USA Today High School Sports / usatodayhss.com | Nation | 25 |
| California | 7 | |
| JPWest Media / jpwestmedia.com | CIF-Southern Section | 6 |
| Blue Star Media / bluestarmedia.org | Far West Region | 10 |
BSM: Coverage Area: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming |
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PLAYER NOTES, HIGHLIGHTS & STATS
Dash Fifita #0
LB | SR | 5-10 / 195
- Anchored the defense in compiling the first win of the season, a big upset of Centennial (Corona). Led the team with 14 total tackles
- 2025 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-State Team -- Third-Team - Defense
- ESPN / SC Next Class of 2026 No. 57 Inside Linebacker Prospect
- 2025 The Sporting News No. 1 Linebacker in California
- Ranked No. 11 by Orange County Register of Hot 150 Top Impact Players for Fall 2025
- 2025 Preseason All-Southland First-Team - Defense by the Los Angeles Times
- 2025 Orange County Register No. 1 linebacker in Orange County
- 2025 The Sporting News Preseason First-Team All-State Team - Defense
- 2025 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-Orange County Team
- 2024 PrepRedzone.com All-Southern California Junior Team - Defense
- 2024 Cal-Hi Sports Second-Team All-State Junior Team - Defense
- 2024 All-CIF-Southern Section Team
- 2024 The Sporting News California All-State High School Football Team: Second-Team - Defense
- 2024 Cal-Hi Sports All-State Nominee - Defense
- 2024 SBLive / scorebooklive.com / si.com All-CIF Southern Section First-Team - Defense
- 2024 All-Orange County First-Team - Defense (Orange County Register)
- 2024 Trinity League Co-Most Valuable Player - Defense
- Has committed to play at Arizona where his brother Noah is the starting quarterback for the Wildcats and an alum of Servite. Also had an offer from Utah
JAION “DUCE” SMITH #1
RB | SO | 6-0 / 190
- PrepRedZone.com: Standout class of 2028 performer in Southern California for Weeks 0 and 1
- Ranked No. 87 by Orange County Register of Hot 150 Top Impact Players for Fall 2025
- 2025 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-Orange County Team
- Has received Division 1 offers from Morgan State, Sacramento State, San Diego State, Syracuse, Maryland, Arkansas and Texas State
- 2024 All-Trinity League Second-Team - Offense
DOUGLAS (TRACE) JOHNSON III #2
QB | SR | 6-2 / 180
- Named a Top Performer for Santa Margarita Catholic vs. Centennial by PrepRedZone.com and a “Big games, big numbers” player by Tarek Fattal of si.com
- Threw two touchdown passes and rushed for another in upset win over Centennial (Corona) In all, was 17-of-25 passing (68.0%) for 209
- ESPN / SC Next Class of 2026 No. 74 Pocket Passer Quarterback Prospect
- Ranked No. 28 by Orange County Register of Hot 150 Top Impact Players for Fall 2025
- 2025 The Sporting News as the No. 10 quarterback in the state
- Named by PrepRedzone.com as the No. 3 senior quarterback in Orange County for Class of 2026
- Selected Third-Team All-Southern California - Quarterback by si.com / SBLive / scorebooklive
- 2025 Orange County Register No. 5 top quarterback in Orange County
- 2025 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-Orange County Team
- Named by On3.com as the No. 2 high school transfer that will make a big impact nationally this fall (07/01/25)
- Transfer from Buchholz High Scholl in Gainesville, Florida
| Season | Career Record as Starter: 23-5 | Touchdowns | |||||
| G | Com | Att | Com % | Yards | Passing | Rushing | |
| 2024 - Junior | 14 | 225 | 356 | 63.2 | 3,522 | 29 | 2 |
| 2023 - Sophomore | 14 | 192 | 318 | 60.4 | 2,844 | 35 | 0 |
| Career | 28 | 417 | 674 | 61.9 | 6,366 | 64 | 2 |
- Was the 2024 Florida Class 6A Offensive Player of the Year nominee (of 3)
- 2024: Led school to Florida 6A semifinal / Overall team record -- 10-4
- 2023: Led school to Florida 6A semifinal / Overall team record -- 13-1
- 2023: 4S District 3 Champions -- Lost by 1-point to eventual state champion Lakeland
- 2023: Led school to first unbeaten regular season since 2001
- Has committed to play at Tulane. Also received Division 1 offers from Arkansas State, Central Michigan, Troy, West Virginia, East Carolina, Georgia Southern, Southern Mississippi and Wake Forest
- Notable 2024 Performances
| Opponent | Statistics of Note |
| Manatee | 453 yards passing |
| Osceola | 439 yards passing / 5 touchdown passes |
FLETCH PALMER #3
QB | SO | 6-1 / 170
- Briefly saw first action of varsity career as he took a snap from center in the last play of regulation versus Centennial (Corona) -- kneel down
- MaxPreps.com Freshman Highlights - December 12, 2024 - https://www.maxpreps.com/video/watch/carson-palmer-s-son-fletch-palmer-freshman-qb-2024-highlights/?v=146f8264-efa1-47f0-9111-c2ae7eb60fa2
TRENT MOSLEY #4
WR | SR. | 5'11 / 170
- 2025 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-State Team -- First-Team - Multi-Purpose
- 2025 MaxPreps.com Preseason All-America selection: Second-Team - Athlete
- 2025 The Sporting News No. 2 Wide Receiver in California
- 2025 si.com / SBLive / scorebooklive All-CIF Southern Section Preseason Team - Athlete
- 2025 PrepRedzone.com All-Southern California Preseason Team – Receiver
- 2025 PrepRedzone.com No. 3 Receiver to Watch in Southern California
- ESPN / SC Next Class of 2026 No. 34 Wide Receiver Prospect
- Ranked No. 3 by Orange County Register of Hot 150 Top Impact Players for Fall 2025
- 2025 si.com / SBLive / scorebooklive No. 6 Wide Receiver to Watch
- 2025 Orange County Register as the No. 1 receiver in Orange County -- Second-consecutive year
- 2025 The Sporting News Preseason First-Team All-State Team - Offense
- 2025 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-Orange County Team
- Selected by Cal-Hi Sports, for class of 2026, as the No. 15 Hot 100 prospect in California (06/26/25)
- Committed to further his career at USC. Had nearly 20 Division 1 offers from top-tier schools including: Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Oregon, Michigan State, Texas A&M, USC, San Diego State, Stanford, Texas and Notre Dame
- 2024 PrepRedzone.com All-Southern California Junior Team - Offense
- 2024 Cal-Hi Sports: Second-Team All-State Elite Team
- 2024 Cal-Hi Sports First-Team All-State Junior Team - Multi-Purpose
- 2024 All-CIF-Southern Section Team
- 2024 The Sporting News California All-State High School Football Team: First-Team – All-Purpose
- 2024 Cal-Hi Sports All-State Nominee - Offense
- 2024 SBLive / scorebooklive.com / si.com All-CIF Southern Section First-Team - Offense
- 2024 All-Orange County First-Team - Offense (Orange County Register)
- 2024 All-Trinity League First-Team - Offense
- Was the featured guest on “Friday Night Live” on Thursday, November 14 -- Prep sports show hosted by Los Angeles Times prep guru Eric Sondheimer on “X”
- Continued his assault on the SMCHS Record Book. Has now caught all least one pass in 28-consecutive games. That is every career game played except his first in 2022. The school record is 29 by Brain Finneran in 1993
- Now has 169 career pass receptions. The school record is 178 by Brian Finneran. No doubt he would have broken that mark this season but missed four games due to injury
- Los Angeles Times’ Southland Top Performers for the Week at Orange Lutheran
- Praised by Steve Fryer of the Orange County Register for putting self development and team before personal
- Named to the MaxPreps.com Preseason Junior All-America First-Team - Wide Receiver
- Ranked No. 2 by Orange County Register of Hot 150 Top Impact Players for Fall 2024 -- “Mosley emerged last season as arguably the top offensive weapon in the County”
- Subject of online feature on Cal-Hi Sports (calhisports.com) “Trent Mosley: Man On The Move” by Chuck Nan -- Published: October 3, 2024 / Link: https://www.calhisports.com/2024/10/03/trent-mosley-man-on-the-move/
- Selected by Cal-Hi Sports to the 2024 Preseason All-State Team - First-Team Multi-Purpose (WR / KR / RB / Wild / DB)
- Named by Cal-Hi Sports as the “Most Versatile Player on the Field” in 2024
- Selected by SBLive/scorebooklive.com as the No. 2 junior (Class of 2026) wide receiver in the California for 2024
- Selected by SBLive/scorebooklive.com as the No. 2 wide receiver in the CIF-Southern Section for 2024
- Selected to the Preseason All CIF-Southern Section team by SBLive/scorebooklive.com -- “Unguardable”
- Ranked at the No. 1 wide receiver in Orange County by the Orange County Register for 2024
- Rated the No. 2 junior class wide receiver in the California for 2024
- Rated the No. 2 wide receiver in the CIF-Southern Section for 2024
- Selected by Cal-Hi Sports to the 2024 All-Orange County Preseason Team: First-Team - Multi-Purpose
- 2023 SBLive/scorebooklive.com / si.com All-State - Wide Receiver
- 2023 Cal-Hi Sports “State Sophomore Player of the Year”
- 2023 Cal-Hi Sports All-State Nominee - Defense
- 2023 All-CIF-Southern Section Team
- 2023 Trinity League Co-Most Valuable Player
- 2023 SMCHS Team Most Valuable Player
- 2023 MaxPreps.com All-State Second-Team - Offense
- 2023 MaxPreps.com Sophomore All-America First-Team - Offense
- 2023 All-Orange County First-Team - Offense (Orange County Register)
- 2023 PrepRedzone.com All-Southern California Sophomore Team - Offense
- 2023 SBLive/scorebooklive.com All-Southern Section Team
- Ranked No. 30 by Orange County Register of Hot 150 Top Impact Players for Fall 2023
- Named one of the top players on the team by the Orange County Register for Fall 2023
- Named the No. 6 wide receiver / tight end in Orange County for the 2023 season by journalist Dan Albano
- Selected as an Underclass All-American by Lemming Prep Football Report (Tom Lemming) for 2023 season
- 2023 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-Orange County Second-Team - Multi-Purpose
- 2022 Cal-Hi Sports All-State Frosh Watch List
- 2022 Cal-Hi Sports All-State Nominee - Offense
- 2022 All-Trinity League Second-Team - Offense
LOGAN HIROU #5
DB | JR | 6-1 / 187
- Ranked No. 37 by Orange County Register of Hot 150 Top Impact Players for Fall 2025
- 2025 The Sporting News Honorable Mention - Defensive Back in California
- 2025 Orange County Register No. 4 defensive back in Orange County
- 2025 Third-Team All-Southern California – Quarterback by si.com / SBLive / scorebooklive
- 2025 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-Orange County Team
- Has committed to play at UCLA. Also received Division 1 offers from Arizona, California, Colorado State, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, Princeton, Sacramento State, San Diego State, Utah, Tulane, Nevada-Las Vegas, Washington State and Yale
- 2024 Cal-Hi Sports All-State Nominee - Defense
- 2024 All-Trinity League First-Team - Defense
- Selected by Cal-Hi Sports to the 2024 All-Orange County Preseason Team: Second-Team - Defense
GRANT MOSLEY #6
WR | SO | 6-0 / 185
- PrepRedZone.com: Standout class of 2028 performer in Southern California for Weeks 0 and 1
- With brother Trent watching from the sidelines with an injury, caught a perfect rainbow throw from Trace Johnson for his first high school touchdown -- 39 yards
- 2025 PrepRedzone.com No. 3 Sophomore Receiver to Watch in Southern California
- Cal-Hi Sports: California Freshman Football Players to Watch – 2024 Season -- Older brother Emmett V had a tremendous season as a freshman at Stanford coming off a knee injury and older brother Trent is one of the state’s top Class of 2026 prospects as a versatile receiver here at SMCHS
- Became the third Mosley brother to play for the Eagles program. Captured his first varsity reception -- 32 yards -- against Mission Viejo
JAYDEN CROWDER #7
DB | SR | 5-11 / 165
- Named a Top Performer for Santa Margarita Catholic vs. Centennial by PrepRedZone.com
- Ranked No. 45 by Orange County Register of Hot 150 Top Impact Players for Fall 2025
- 2025 The Sporting News No. 25 Defensive Back in California for 2025
- 2025 Orange County Register No. 6 defensive back in Orange County
- 2025 Third-Team All-Southern California – Defensive Back by si.com / SBLive / scorebooklive
- 2025 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-Orange County Team
- 2024 Cal-Hi Sports Third-Team All-State Junior Team - Defense
- 2024 Cal-Hi Sports All-State Nominee - Defense
- 2024 All-Orange County Third-Team - Defense (Orange County Register)
- Commitment to California (UC Berkeley). Also had offers from Miami (Florida), Duke, Washington, Colorado, Tennessee, Texas A&M, SMU, North Carolina, Penn State, San Diego State, Michigan State and UCLA
- Selected by Cal-Hi Sports to the 2024 All-Orange County Preseason Team: Third-Team - Defense
IVRICK CARRIGAN #8
LB | JR | 6-0 / 213
- Named by PrepRedzone.com as the No. 6 senior linebacker in Orange County for Class of 2026
- 2025 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-Orange County Team
- All-Sunset League First-Team - Defense
LUKE GAZZANIGA #9
TE | JR | 6-4 / 225
- Has quickly become a favorite target of quarterback Trace Johnson. In the first two games as teammates, the duo has hooked up for 11 receptions covering 150 yards (13.6 average)
- Collected his second pass reception of the season which was also his first-ever touchdown scored at the prep level -- in a rout of Inglewood in the CIF-SS Division 1 First Round game
SIMOTE KATOANGA #11
DE | SR | 6-5 / 250
- Collected 1 1/2 sacks as SMCHS stunned Centennial (Corona). Named a Top Performer for Santa Margarita Catholic vs. Centennial by PrepRedZone.com
- 2025 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-State Team -- First-Team - Defense
- ESPN / SC Next Class of 2026 No. 12 Defensive End Prospect
- Ranked No. 16 by Orange County Register of Hot 150 Top Impact Players for Fall 2025
- 2025 The Sporting News No. 12 Defensive Lineman in California
- 2025 No. 3 Defensive Lineman to Watch by si.com / SBLive / scorebooklive
- 2025 Preseason All-Southland First-Team - Defense by the Los Angeles Times
- 2025 Orange County Register No. 5 lineman in Orange County
- Named by USA Today High School Sports / usatodayhss.com as the top-rated defensive lineman recruit in California for the Class of 2026
- 2025 The Sporting News Preseason Third-Team All-State Team - Defense
- 2025 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-Orange County Team
- Selected by Cal-Hi Sports, for class of 2026, as the No. 17 Hot 100 prospect in California (06/26/25)
- 2024 Orange County Register All-County Second-Team - Defense
- 2024 Cal-Hi Sports Second-Team All-State Junior Team - Defense
- 2024 First-Team All-Trinity League - Defense
- Committed to play at USC after having received 30 Division 1 offers -- Arizona, Arizona State, California, Clemson, Georgia, Kansas, Miami (Florida), Michigan State, Florida State, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Sacramento State, San Diego State, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Nevada - Las Vegas, South Florida, Utah, Washington, Washington State, Western Michigan, Wisconsin, Central Michigan and Marshall
JOSHUA “SIUA” HOLANI #14
DB | SR | 5-10 / 175
- 2025 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-Orange County Team
- 2024 All-Trinity League Second-Team - Defense
RYAN CLARK #16
WR | SO | 5-9 / 150
- PrepRedZone.com: Standout class of 2028 performer in Southern California for Weeks 0 and 1 and “Big games, big numbers” player by Tarek Fattal of si.com
- Enjoyed a breakout game versus Centennial (Corona) with seven pass receptions for 78 yards (11.1 average) and his first career touchdown. SMCHS upset the Huskies for the second season in succession. Named a Top Performer for Santa Margarita Catholic vs. Centennial by PrepRedZone.com
Jagger Apt #17
WR | SO | 5-9 / 170
- Collected three pass receptions in overtime upset win over Centennial (Corona) -- the first of his young career
CA’RON WILLIAMS #21
DB | SO | 5-11 / 155
- 2025 MaxPreps.com Preseason All-America Sophomore selection: Second-Team - Defense (Defensive Back)
- Ranked No. 80 by Orange County Register of Hot 150 Top Impact Players for Fall 2025
- 2025 Orange County Register No. 10 defensive back in Orange County
- 2025 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-Orange County Team
- 2024 MaxPreps.com Freshman All-America Team: Second-Team - Defense
- Has received Division 1 offers from Arizona State, Texas A&M, Coastal Carolina, Southern Methodist (SMU), Toledo, Missouri, USC, Washington, San Diego State, North Carolina, Vanderbilt, Idaho and California
ADRIAN PETERO #26
RB | FR | 5-4 / 165
- Combined with teammate Jaion Smith to gain 156 yards on the ground versus Centennial (Corona). Petero grinded and drove to gain the final two yards of real estate and score the winning touchdown in overtime as well. It was the first score in his young career. Named a Top Performer for Santa Margarita Catholic vs. Centennial by PrepRedZone.com
JASON PEREZ #40
DL | SR | 6-1 / 230
- 2023 All-Trinity Honorable Mention - Defense
ALEKI “LEKI” HOLANI #44
LB | SR | 6-0 / 218
- Contributed a solid performance in upset victory over Centennial (Corona) with 10 total tackles and one-half sack. On a big fourth-down play early in the game, was able to bat down the quarterback’s pass and thwart the Huskies from the end zone. Named a Top Performer for Santa Margarita Catholic vs. Centennial by PrepRedZone.com
- ESPN / SC Next Class of 2026 No. 61 Inside Linebacker Prospect
- 2025 The Sporting News No. 9 Linebacker in California
- Ranked No. 47 by Orange County Register of Hot 150 Top Impact Players for Fall 2025
- 2025 Orange County Register No. 6 linebacker in Orange County
- 2025 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-Orange County Team
- 2024 Cal-Hi Sports Third-Team All-State Junior Team - Defense
- 2024 All-CIF-Southern Section Team
- 2024 Cal-Hi Sports All-State Nominee - Defense
- 2024 All-Trinity League First-Team - Defense
Adam Iloilo #50
OL | SR | 6-4 / 250
- Named a Top Performer for Santa Margarita Catholic vs. Centennial by PrepRedZone.com
ISAIA VANDERMADE #53
OL/DL | JR | 6-4 / 280
- Ranked No. 83 by Orange County Register of Hot 150 Top Impact Players for Fall 2025
- 2025 The Sporting News Honorable Mention - Defensive Lineman in California
- 2025 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-Orange County Team
- 2025 PrepRedzone.com Top Offensive Linemen to Watch in Southern California
- 2024 Cal-Hi Sports First-Team All-State Sophomore Team - Offense
- 2024 Cal-Hi Sports All-State Nominee
- 2024 All-Bay Area News Group - Honorable Mention - Defensive Line
- 2024 San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro Team - Honorable Mention
- 2024 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-Central Coast Section Team - Second-Team
- 2024 West Catholic Athletic League - Sophomore Player of the Year
- 2024 All-West Catholic Athletic League - First-Team
- 2024 Preseason All-Bay Area News Group - Defensive Line
Aaron Klatt #56
OL | JR | 6-1 / 280
- Named a Top Performer for Santa Margarita Catholic vs. Centennial by PrepRedZone.com
TONGA UHILA #58
DL | JR | 5-10 / 260
- Finished with the best game of his young career with one interception and one sack versus Liberty (Bakersfield) in 2024
NINIVA NICHOLSON #77
OL | SR | 6-4 / 275
- 2025 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-State Team -- Second-Team - Offense
- 2025 The Sporting News No. 4 Offensive Lineman in California
- ESPN / SC Next Class of 2026 No. 79 Offensive Guard Prospect
- Ranked No. 17 by Orange County Register of Hot 150 Top Impact Players for Fall 2025
- 2025 Orange County Register No. 6 lineman in Orange County
- 2025 The Sporting News Preseason First-Team All-State Team - Offense
- 2025 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-Orange County Team
- 2025 PrepRedzone.com Top Offensive Linemen to Watch in Southern California
- Selected by Cal-Hi Sports, for class of 2026, as the No. 74 Hot 100 prospect in California (06/26/25)
- 2024 First-Team All-Trinity League - Offense
- 2024 Orange County Register All-County Second-Team - Offense
- 2024 Cal-Hi Sports First-Team All-State Junior Team - Offense
MANOAH FAUPUSA #78
OL/DL | SR | 6-4 / 360
- Ranked No. 17 by Orange County Register of Hot 150 Top Impact Players for Fall 2025
- 2025 Orange County Register No. 7 lineman in Orange County
- 2025 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-Orange County Team
- 2025 The Sporting News Honorable Mention - Defensive Lineman in California
- Selected by Cal-Hi Sports, for class of 2026, as the No. 50 Hot 100 prospect in California (06/26/25)
- 2025 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-Orange County Second-Team - Defense
- 2024 San Francisco Chronicle Second-Team All-Metro Team
- 2024 West Catholic Athletic League (WCAL) Defensive Lineman of the Year
- 2024 First-Team All-WCAL -- Notched 20 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 5 hurries
- 2024 Cal-Hi Sports Third-Team All-State Junior Team - Defense
- Has committed to play at Arizona after also receiving Division 1 offers from North Carolina, Oklahoma State, California, Colorado, Miami (Florida), Sacramento State, San Jose State, Texas, UCLA, Nevada - Las Vegas, USC and Washington
THIS WEEK’S OPPONENT: Highland (Palmdale)
SMCHS Season Game No. 3 / Non League Game No. 3
Game Day / Date / Time: Friday, September 5, 2025 / 7:00 p.m.
Game Location: Palmdale, California -- Andrejcik Field - Campus
Tickets: www.gofan.co
Nickname: Bulldogs
Affiliations: Golden League / CIF-Southern Section - Division 9
Head Coach: Justin Wyatt
2025 Season: 0-2
Last Week: Apple Valley, Lost 16-6
2024 Season: Overall: 11-5 / Golden League: 6-1 (2nd) / 5-1 Postseason (CIF-Southern Section - Division 9 Champions / South State Region Champions / Lost CIF-State 4-AA Championship game
All-Time Series: Series -- First Meeting
Key Players to Watch:
- David Smith | Quarterback | Senior
- Jamarieh Hector | Senior | Linebacker / Defensive End
- Le Bron Green | Wide Receiver | Senior
- Mekhi Free | Defensive Back | Senior
- Viliami Fatanitavake | Junior | Defensive Tackle
Notes:
- Bulldog’s Head Coach Justin Wyatt is a former teammate of SMCHS Head Coach Carson Palmer and Offensive Coordinator Lenny Vandermade. The trio were with the USC Trojans team in 2002. After two years at Highland High School in Palmdale, Wyatt transferred to Dominguez High School in Compton to finish his prep career. He then went on to play and graduate from the University of Southern California where he was selected a Pac-10 Conference Honorable Mention player.
- The Bulldogs are 1-2 all-time versus Orange County schools
- 2024: Lost Mission Viejo, 63-6 (Home)
- 2023: Lost Mission Viejo, 58-0 (Road)
- 2019: Defeated Newport Harbor, 58-17 (Home -- CIF-Southern Section - Division 9 Championship)
- 2024: Lost Mission Viejo, 63-6 (Home)
- Highland is 0-0 all-time versus Trinity League schools
NEXT WEEK’S OPPONENT: Oaks Christian (Westlake Village)
SMCHS Season Game No. 4 / Non League Game No. 4
Game Day / Date / Time: Friday,
Game Location: Bill Redell Field at Thorson Stadium - Campus
Tickets: www.gofan.co
Nickname: Lions
Affiliations: Marmonte League / CIF-Southern Section - Division 2
Head Coach: Charles Collins
2025 Season: 0-2
Last Week: vs. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth), Lost 63-0
This Week: @ Liberty (Bakersfield)
2024 Season: 9-4 / Marmonte: 4-1 (2nd) / 2-1 Postseason
All-Time Series: SMCHS leads 1-0
Last SMCHS Win: 2024 -- 37-17 (@ Santa Ana Bowl)
Key Players to Watch:
- Trey Towns, Jr. | Quarterback | Sophomore
- Deshonne Redeaux | Running Back | Senior
- Davon Benjamin | Wide Receiver | Senior
- Alifeleti Tuihalamaka | Defensive End | Junior
- Joseph Peko | Defensive Tackle | Senior
OTHER NOTES & NEWS
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: JAXON POTTER
Jaxon Potter Leads Washington State to Victory in First Career Start
By: Chuck Nan
Santa Margarita Catholic High School alum (class of 2023) Jaxon Potter made his first collegiate start at quarterback for Washington State last evening, a 13-10 victory over rival Idaho. The redshirt sophomore was 24-of-31 (77.4%) passing for 208 yards and one touchdown. He didn’t throw an interception. Potter threw six of his completions on the game winning, nine-play, 59-yard drive.
- Position Quarterback
- Height: 6-5 / Weight: 205
- Class: Redshirt Sophomore
- Major: Finance
- Hometown: Huntington Beach, California
As a junior, threw for 2,869 yards and 28 touchdowns with four rushing touchdowns and 17 interceptions. As a senior, went 207-of-306 (67.6%) for 2,640 yards with 27 touchdown passes and just two interceptions. Also scored four rushing touchdowns. Then was rated a three-star prospect by ESPN.com and 247Sports.com, the number 47 pocket passer quarterback in the country by ESPN.com. Graduated from the same high school as former WSU Cougar football players River Cracraft, Riley Sorenson, Kyle Sweet, Nick Begg, Matthew Bock and basketball star Klay Thompson.
Compiled by Chuck Nan
Statistics by Shane Mielke
