NFL veteran and Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer makes head coaching debut at Santa Margarita.
Palmer accepted the job at his alma mater in December after a distinguished playing career that included a Heisman Trophy at USC. He spent 15 seasons in the NFL with the Bengals, Raiders and Cardinals, throwing for 46,247 yards and 294 touchdowns.
His staff is full of former NFL players like T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Doug Johnson, Mike Scifres, Kelly Talavou, Mike Karney, Steve Fifita and Lenny Vandermade.
How to watch
Date/location: Friday, Aug. 22 / Trabuco Hills High School Stadium
Kickoff: 7 p.m. PT
Streaming: MaxPreps Tickets: GoFan
It won't get any easier for the Eagles in 2025 as Zack Poff has their schedule projected as the
toughest in the nation.
Four-star prospects
Simote Katoanga and
Trent Mosley return for their senior seasons while quarterback
Trace Johnson, son of Doug and a Tulane commit, transfers in from Florida for his final campaign.
Mission Viejo finished 2024 ranked No. 16 nationally after going 10-1. The lone loss came to nationally-ranked
Centennial (Corona) in the Southern Section Division 1 playoffs.
Head coach Chad Johnson has gone 63-16 with a 2023 state title since taking over the program in 2018.
Returning are four-star seniors
Jeron Jones and
Vance Spafford. Three-star Ohio State commit
Luke Fahey also returns at quarterback.
The MaxPreps social media team will be on campus for Game of the Week to highlight top players, behind-the-scenes action and showcase what makes high school football special. Calling the game will be Jeff Kurtz alongside MaxPreps National Football Editor Zack Poff.
Players to watch
Santa Margarita: DL
Simote Katoanga (6-5, 240, USC commitment), WR
Trent Mosley (5-11, 170, USC), RB
Jaion Smith (6-0, 185), QB
Trace Johnson (6-0, 180, Tulane), DL
Manoah Faupusa (6-2, 360, Arizona)
Mission Viejo: WR
Vance Spafford (5-11, 175, Miami), CB
Jeron Jones (6-0, 165, Washington), QB
Luke Fahey (6-0, 185, Ohio State), DL
J.D. Hill (6-2, 270, Northern Arizona),
Davonte Curtis (5-9, 195)
