Oaks Christian - Game Notes
SMCHS Eagles (2-1) vs Oaks Christian Lions (1-2)
at Bill Redell Field at Thorson Stadium (Westlake Village)
Friday, September 12, 2025 - 7:00 p.m.
Original PDF
HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST WEEK’S GAME at Highland
Santa Margarita Catholic High School (SMCHS) travelled a long distance to the hot (95 degrees) windy and isolated area of Palmdale. Depending on which route you take, it’s about 120 miles away. The traffic could cost you anywhere from two to fours of your life, each way, that you’ll never redeem. With a weird vibe surrounding the whole game -- experienced by players, coaches, parents and fans, the Eagles started heir dominance right from the first series. Fans arriving late because of the infamous Los Angeles traffic missed the touchdown connection from Trace Johnson to Grant Mosley on the first drove.
Two touchdown runs by Jaion “Duce” Smith in the second quarter made it 23-0. A late touchdown reception by Luke Gazzaniga gave the Eagles a comfortable 30-0 lead at halftime. That lead increased by seven points when talented safety Logan Hirou picked off a pass and rumbled 48 yards for another touchdown.
The SMCHS defense proved to be effective once again as they played iron-tight lockdown schemes to frustrate the Bulldog’s offense into multiple mistakes and penalties. Dash Fifita and the defensive line of Simote Katoanga, Niniva Nicholson, Isaia Vandermade Manoah Faupusa, Kingston Jimmerson and Tonga Uhila all shared in the success.
SMCHS would also enjoy two field goals by Tyler Weigand (34 & 35 yards) and two team safeties to make the final score, 44-13. The team record moved to 2-1, facing another long road trip next Friday to the Westlake Village / Calabasas area to take on Oaks Christian.
Player Highlights
- Trace Johnson: 8-of-12 (66.7%) for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns passing
-- Over 67.0% in each of first 3 games this season -- 68.2% overall. Current season record is 67.6% by Jaxon Potter, 67.6% in 2022
- Fletch Palmer: 1-of-2 for 20 yards passing and 13 yards rushing
- Jules Guerdat: 1-of-1 for 20 yards passing
- Jaion ”Duce” Smith: 8 rush attempts for 59 yards (7.4 average) and 2 touchdowns
- Jagger Apt: 2 pass receptions
- Luke Gazzaniga: 2 pass receptions and 39 yard touchdown
- Grant Mosley: 1 reception for 14 yards and one touchdown
- Dash Fifita: Tied for team lead in total tackles with 5
- Tyler Weigand notched two successful field goals -- 34 and 35 yards in length
- Logan Hirou: Interception return for 48 yards and a touchdown
- Now has 9 career interceptions. School record is 12 by Brad Finneran (1991-93)
- Last interception returned for a touchdown by an Eagle was on September 6 of last year by Luke Anderson versus Liberty (Bakersfield) – 60 yards
- In his first varsity game, freshman Cooper Holland punted one time for 46 yards
Team Stats
- The Eagle’s defense generated 11 tackles for losses and one interception
- Total offense was equal to 276 yards (pass = 160 & rush = 116)
Recent Player Honors
Simote Katoanga to play in the Polynesian Bowl
The Polynesian Bowl recently announced that Doug Pederson and Mike Singletary have been selected as head coaches for the 2026 event. The Polynesian Bowl is an annual all-star game featuring 100 of the nation’s top ranked junior and senior high school football players. It will be broadcast live and in primetime on the NFL Network on Friday, January 16, 2026. Doug Pederson will serve as Head Coach for Team Makai (Hawaiian word for ocean). Mike Singletary will serve as the Head Coach for Team Mauka (Hawaiian word for mountain).
The Polynesian Bowl is the premier all-star game played annually in Honolulu with players who are of Polynesian and non-Polynesian ancestry alike. For more information, visit PolynesianBowl.com
Previous SMCHS Players Selected for the Polynesian Bowl
2023: Jalani Liva
2018: Malone Mataele
2017: Brett Neilon
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 | 5 |
| Orange County | 3 | |
| Cal-Hi Sports / calhisports.com | California | 5 |
| CIF-Southern Section | 5 | |
| HS Ratings / hsratings.com Formerly Cal Preps / calpreps.com |
Nation - Computer | 11 |
| California | 5 | |
| CIF-Southern Section | 5 | |
| MaxPreps.com (PlayOn! Sports / NFHS Network) | Nation - Composite | 19 |
| Nation - Computer | 16 | |
| Nation - Manual | 16 | |
| California | 5 | |
| si.com / SBLive / scorebooklive.com Sports Illustrated High School |
Nation | 22 |
| Southwest Region | 6 | |
| California | 6 | |
| CIF-Southern Section | 5 | |
| Massey Ratings / On3.com / rivals | Nation | 38 |
| Nation - Composite | 17 | |
| California - Composite | 6 | |
| California - Massy | 6 | |
| High School Football America (HSFA) / NFL Play Football highschoolfootballamerica.com |
Nation | 20 |
| California | 5 | |
| The Sporting News / sportingnews.com | Nation | 17 |
| Nation - Composite | 21 | |
| California | 5 | |
| ESPN / espn.com | Nation | 22 |
| California | 5 | |
| USA Today High School Sports / usatodayhss.com | Nation | 23 |
| California | 6 | |
| nationalhsfb.com / National High School Football | Nation | 17 |
| California | 4 | |
| JPWest Media / jpwestmedia.com | CIF-Southern Section | 5 |
| Blue Star Media / bluestarmedia.org Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming |
Nation | Not ranked |
| Far West Region | 9 | |
| RepMax Media High School Sports News / repmaxmedia.com | Nation | Not ranked Top 10 only |
| California | 5 | |
| Cal Coast Times / calcoasttimes.com | California | 7 |
PLAYER NOTES, HIGHLIGHTS & STATS
Dash Fifita #0
LB | SR | 5-10 / 195
- Steve Fryer / Orange County Register -- Early season surprises (09/11/25): A candidate for Orange County Defensive Player of the Year -- has sideline-to-sideline speed and crashing hitting style reminiscent of Junior Seau
- 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
- Eight rush attempts for 59 yards (7.4 average) and 2 touchdowns versus Highland (Palmdale). Named USA Today High School Sports team Player of the Week
- 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
- Was 8-of-12 (66.7%) for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns passing at Highland (Palmdale) -- Over 67.0% in each of first 3 games this season -- 68.2% overall. Current season record is 67.6% by Jaxon Potter, 67.6% in 2022
- 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
- Guided the Eagles in three offensive series’ versus Highland (Palmdale) -- 1-of-2 passing for 20 yards
- 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
- Interception return for 48 yards and a touchdown at Highland (Palmdale). Now has 9 career interceptions. School record is 12 by Brad Finneran (1991-93)
- 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
- Collected one reception for 14 yards and a touchdown in win over Highland (Palmdale)
- 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
- Connected with quarterback Trace John for two pass receptions -- on a 39 yard touchdown
- 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
JAKE MARTIN #13
WR | SO | 5-11 / 180
- PrepRedZone.com: Standout class of 2028 performer in Southern California for Weeks 0 and 1
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
- Contributed two receptions for 28 yards in win at Highland (Palmdale)
- 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
- Notched two interceptions in the span of the last four minutes of the first half against Centennial (Corona), an upset win for the Eagles. He sprinted 62 yards on the first of the two for his first high school touchdown.
- Named the Orange County Male Athlete of the Week by the Orange County Register for his impressive defensive performance
- PrepRedZone.com: Standout class of 2028 performer in Southern California for Weeks 0 and 1
- Lauded by Eric Sondheimer of the Los Angeles Times
- Named a Top Performer for Santa Margarita Catholic by PrepRedZone.com
- Named a Dominant Defender for Santa Margarita Catholic by PrepRedZone.com
- Named the Orange County Male Athlete of the Week by the Orange County Register for his impressive defensive performance
- 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
TYLER WIEGAND #86
K | SR | 6-0 / 135
- Kicked two successful field goals in win at Highland (Palmdale) -- 34 and 35 yards in length
THIS WEEK’S OPPONENT: Oaks Christian
SMCHS Season Game No. 4 / Non League Game No. 4
Game Day / Date / Time: Friday, September 12, 2025 / 7:00 p.m.
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: 1-2
Last Week: @ Liberty (Bakersfield), Won 35-28
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
NEXT WEEK’S OPPONENT: Oaks Christian (Westlake Village)
SMCHS Season Game No. 5 / Non League Game No. 5
Game Day / Date / Time: Saturday, September 27, 2025 / 7:00 p.m.
Game Location: Tesoro High School (Los Flores – SMCHS home game)
Tickets: www.gofan.co
Nickname: Gaels
Affiliations: Nevada: 5A Southern - Desert League
Head Coach: Brent Browner (5th Season / 51-3-0, .944)
2025 Season: 3-0
Last Week: Bishop Gorman won by forfeit in the third quarter after an altercation on the Lone Peak sideline which resulted in more than three players leaving the bench. The final score was recorded as 35-14, but a forfeit rule was enforced, leading to the automatic loss for Lone Peak. A forfeit win is automatically as 2-0
This Week: Home versus East St. Louis (Illinois)
2024 Season: Overall: 11-1 / 5A Division I League: 6-0 / Postseason: 2-0 - 5A State Champions
All-Time Series: 2-0
- 2014: BG won 41-10 (@ Las Vegas)
- 2013: BG won, 34-31 (Overtime) (@ Orange County)
Key Players to Watch:
- Maika Eugenio | Quarterback | Senior
- Terrance Grant | Running Back | Junior
- Kaina Watson | Wide Receiver | Senior
- Prince Williams | Defensive Lineman | Senior
- Ocean Taufa | Defensive Lineman | Senior
- Jett Washington | Defensive Back | Senior
- Isaiah Nickels | Defensive Back | Senior
- James Carrington | Defensive Lineman | Senior
Trinity League
Friday, September 12
Servite (Anaheim) @ Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 7:0p.m.
JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano) at Oak Hills (Hesperia), 7:00 p.m.
Junipero Serra (San Mateo) @ St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 7:00 p.m.
Juniper Serra (Gardena) vs. Orange Lutheran @ Orange Coast College (Costa Mesa), 7:00 p.m.
Mater Dei (Santa Ana) @ Centennial (Corona), 7:00 p.m.
Compiled by Chuck Nan
Statistics by Shane Mielke
