Eagles 45 - Highland 13
PALMDALE, CA., September 5, 2025 – 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)
| Santa Margarita | 14 | 16 | 12 | 3 | 45 |
| Highland | 0 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 13 |
SM – G. Mosley 14 pass from Johnson (Wiegand kick)
SM – Team Safety
SM – Ja. Smith 17 run (Wiegand kick)
SM – Team Safety
SM – Smith 2 run (Wiegand kick)
SM – L. Gazzaniga 39 pass from Johnson (Wiegand kick)
SM – Hirou 48 interception return (Hicks kick)
HI – Free 90 kickoff return (kick blocked)
SM – Wiegand 35 FG
HI – Green 20 pass from Austin (Perez kick)
SM – Wiegand 34 FG
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: SM - Ja. Smith 8-59, Petero 6-26, Grande 7-20; HI - Dillon 5-10, Austin 12-(-9);
Passing: SM - Johnson 8-12-0-120, J. Guerdat 1-1-0-20; HI - Austin 7-27-1-27;
Receiving: SM - L. Gazzaniga 2-57, Clark 2-28, Apt 2-27;
Summary by Chuck Nan
Statistics by Shane Mielke
San Clemente, Santa Margarita get big wins in Week 2
PALMDALE, CA., September 5, 2025 – Trace Johnson threw two touchdown passes in the first half for Santa Margarita in a rout of Highland.
Grant Mosley and Luke Gazzaniga had touchdown receptions for Santa Margarita (2-1). Jaion Smith ran for 59 yards with two touchdowns. UCLA commit Logan Hirou returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown.
By Michael Huntley
Saturday, September 6, 2025
The Orange County Register
