Eagles 41 - JSerra 14
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA., October 31, 2025 – 41-14 Victory Over JSerra Catholic Helps Clinch a Share of the Trinity League Title. Jaion “Duce” Smith rushed for 127 yards on 19 attempts and scored one touchdown, while safety Logan Hirou returned an interception 25 yards for a score to help Santa Margarita Catholic High School (SMCHS) defeat host JSerra Catholic 41-14 in the final Trinity League regular season game for both schools. The Eagles garnered a share of the league championship by way of Mater Dei coming back and stunning St. John Bosco.
SMCHS finished 7-3 overall and 4-1 in Trinity League. Mater Dei and St. John Bosco had identical league marks. This is the first Trinity League championship for the Eagles in football. Their last league championship came in 2001 in the old Serra League with Mater Dei, St. John Bosco and Servite. Current school Vice President of Athletics, Jim Hartigan, was the coach of that team.
SMCHS led 21-0 after the first quarter and 28-6 at halftime. Quarterback Trace Johnson helped pace the attack by completing 18-of-22 passes for 243 yards and two scores. The touchdowns went to Ryan Clark and Jake Martin.
Player Highlights
- Trace Johnson: 18-of-22 (81.8%), 243 yards and 2 touchdowns -- Los Angeles Times High School Football Top Performers of the Week in the Southland
- Trent Mosley: 1 rushing attempt for 18 yards and touchdown (Also 4 receptions for 40 yards)
- Jaion “Duce” Smith: 19 rushing attempts, 127 yards (6.7 average) and 1 touchdown -- Establishes a new career high (Previous was 122 yards at Oaks Christian)
- Jake Martin: 5 pass receptions, 66 yards and 1 touchdown (24 yards)
- Ryan Clark: 3 pass receptions, 67 yards and 1 touchdown (38 yards)
- Siua Holani: 1 blocked PAT attempt
- Leki Holani: 5 total tackles (4 solo) and 2 tackles for loss
- Tonga Uhila: 1 sack and 1 tackle for loss
- Titus King: Led the team with 8 total tackles
- Logan Hirou: 1 interception - returned for a touchdown (25 yards)
- 10th career interception
- 2 behind Brad Finneran (1991-93) for all-time school record
| Santa Margarita | 21 | 7 | 13 | 0 | 41 |
| JSerra | 0 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 14 |
SM – Ja. Smith 3 run (Wiegand kick)
SM – T. Mosley 18 run (Wiegand kick)
SM – Hirou 25 interception return (Wiegand kick)
JS – Tompkins 2 run (kick blocked)
SM – Petero 3 run (Wiegand kick)
SM – Clark 38 pass from Johnson (kick failed)
SM – Martin 24 pass from Johnson (Wiegand kick)
JS – Cokley 3 pass from Smith-Mayall (Cokley pass from Smith-Mayall)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: SM - Ja. Smith 19-127, Petero 6-29; JS - Smith-Mayall 4-47;
Passing: SM - Johnson 18-22-0-243; JS - Smith-Mayall 16-23-144;
Receiving: SM - Martin 5-66, Clark 3-67; JS - Cokley 9-73, Matvay 2-39;
Summary by Chuck Nan
Statistics by Shane Mielke
Football roundup: Santa Margarita, Servite, Beckman triumph on Friday, Week 10
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA., October 31, 2025 – Jaion Smith rushed for 127 yards and one touchdown and Logan Hirou returned an interception 25 yards for a score to help Santa Margarita defeat host JSerra 41-14 on Friday for a share of the Trinity League football championship.
Santa Margarita (7-3, 4-1) finished atop the Trinity League with Mater Dei (7-2, 4-1) and St. John Bosco (9-1, 4-1) for its first title in the league.
The Eagles’ previous league championship came in 2001 in the old Serra League with Mater Dei, St. John Bosco and Servite.
Santa Margarita led 21-0 after the first quarter and 28-6 at halftime.
Quarterback Trace Johnson helped pace the attack by completing 18 of 22 passes for 243 yards and two scores.
The Tulane commit tossed touchdowns to Ryan Clark and Jake Martin.
Defensive back Titus King and linebacker Dash Fifita recorded eight and six tackles, respectively, to lead the Eagles’ defense.
Linebacker Rocco Tompkins recorded 16 tackles for JSerra (3-7, 0-5).
By Dan Albano & Michael Huntley
Saturday, November 1, 2025
The Orange County Register
