High school football: No. 3 Santa Margarita makes Southern California statement in 21-7 win over No. 8 St. John Bosco

Eagles, Braves could meet again Nov. 27 at Rose Bowl for Southern Section Division 1 title.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Aaron Williams
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Oct 16, 2026, 9:45pm
No. 3 Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) proved to be the team Southern California should be chasing with a 21-7 win over No. 8 St. John Bosco (Bellflower) on Friday at Panish Family Stadium.

Friday's battle could preview the Southern Section Division 1 title game Nov. 27.

The reigning Open Division state champions opened a 14-7 halftime lead on St. John Bosco and then got a 49-yard flea flicker touchdown pass from junior quarterback Fletch Palmer to Grant Mosley in the third quarter to boost their lead to 21-7.
Santa Margarita junior quarterback Fletch Palmer has led the No. 3 Eagles to an 8-0 start after beating No. 8 St. John Bosco 21-7 on Friday. (PHOTO: Heston Quan)
Santa Margarita junior quarterback Fletch Palmer has led the No. 3 Eagles to an 8-0 start after beating No. 8 St. John Bosco 21-7 on Friday. (PHOTO: Heston Quan)
Santa Margarita's stifling defense took over and shut out the Braves after they scored the game's opening touchdown in the first quarter on a 33-yard pass from Koa Malau'ulu to Kuika Moaalii.

That was followed by a 54-yard interception return for a touchdown from Rayshawn Brandon and an Adrian Petero 2-yard score. The Eagles also blocked a pair of field goal attempts.

In his sophomore stint, Santa Margarita head coach Carson Palmer has led the Eagles to a record of 8-0 with wins over then-ranked Centennial (Corona) and No. 21 Mater Dei (Santa Ana).

Last season proved to be a changing of the guard in SoCal as Santa Margarita became the first team other than Mater Dei or St. John Bosco to win the Southern Section title and ultimately the Open Division state crown since 2016.

St. John Bosco (6-2) travels to Servite (Anaheim) on Oct. 23 with a showdown against Mater Dei to follow on Oct. 30. Santa Margarita (8-0 draws JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano) on Oct. 23 before finishing the regular season at Orange Lutheran (Orange) on Oct. 30.

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