MISSION VIEJO — Santa Margarita’s football program completed the final stage of a radical transformation Saturday at a destination many believed wasn’t possible before the season.
The Eagles played for the CIF State Open Division championship one season removed from a 5-7 finish, and just more than a year since an alleged hazing incident surfaced.
Along the improbable run, the Eagles held their season-ending awards banquet, planned during the season, on Dec. 6.
They have much more to celebrate.
Before a large showing by its faithful, Santa Margarita followed Trent Mosley, its defense and first-year coach Carson Palmer one more time for a 47-13 victory against previously undefeated De La Salle at Saddleback College.
Santa Margarita (11-3) won its first state title since 2011 in Division 1. The Eagles were on the undercard of that championship weekend headlined by De La Salle’s victory in the Open Division final.
But with its impressive victory against De La Salle (12-1), Santa Margarita punctuated its rise as a tight-knit, national title contender with playmakers on both sides of the ball.
“It’s love. That was really the main recipe,” Santa Margarita offensive tackle Niniva Nicholson said. “A lot of us transferred, came from different schools, but we all bonded together and we loved each other. If you love each other, you’re going to hold each other accountable. We love our culture. Our coaches love us.”
“The head guy, Carson Palmer, he’s a great guy,” the senior added about the Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL quarterback. “Coach brings love and brings people together.”
Safety Logan Hirou, a four-year player at Santa Margarita, agreed.
“It’s pretty crazy to see how the program has changed,” the UCLA signee said. “Carson Palmer is a big impact on it. Just the way he carries himself. It really went on to the team, and all the players recognized that and used that as a goal for playing good.”
The Eagles, ranked No. 2 in the nation by HSratings.com and No. 4 by High School Football America, led 19-0 after the first quarter and 35-7 at intermission.
The fast start put De La Salle on its heels. Santa Margarita’s defense then negated a comeback by holding the Spartans’ veer attack to 78 yards rushing on 35 carries.
“I would put my guys against any others in the nation, any day, any week,” Mosley said. “I think we’re national champs.”
Mosley, who signed with USC earlier this month, picked up where he left off against Centennial in the CIF-SS Division 1 final on Nov. 28.
The senior finished with 11 receptions for 183 yards, and scored three touchdowns.
Against Centennial at the Rose Bowl, Mosley had 10 catches for 293 yards in a 42-7 win.
“He’s an expectational player and we knew it coming in,” De La Salle coach Justin Alumbaugh said of Mosley. “USC is getting a really good player.”
Mosley scored just 58 seconds into Santa Margarita’s first possession on a 7-yard run from the Wildcat with eight minutes left in the first quarter.
After Santa Margarita defensive lineman Simote Katoanga — another USC signee — blocked a field goal on the ensuing possession, Mosley caught a 34-yard touchdown from Trace Johnson just 59 seconds later.
With its quick-strike offense warmed up, Santa Margarita employed a trick play for its third score in as many possessions in the first quarter.
Nicholson lined up at wide receiver and raised his arms on the snap before Johnson found tight end Luke Gazzaniga open over the middle for a 20-yard touchdown with 42 seconds left in the first period.
“We call it the fake and bake for a reason,” said Nicholson, who signed with Arizona State. “My teammates were holding me accountable to be a Division 1 actor, and I believe I did that.”
Santa Margarita also showed its Trinity League toughness.
After Mosley caught a 6-yard touchdown from Johnson with 1:07 left in the opening half, he barreled through defenders for the 2-point conversion.
Linebacker Leki Holani then ended the first half with his second sack.
Santa Margarita’s players received a standing ovation from their fans, who filled the home grandstand, as they left for the locker room at halftime.
“Incredible support,” Palmer said. “Our school loves football. We’ve been down a little while and now we’re back. We’re so unique. We’re out there all by ourselves. There’s no other schools around us, so the community embraces us.”
“It’s been a really unique year (and will be) hard to replicate no doubt, especially when you lose so many seniors,” the coach added. “We had an incredible year. … Hard work pays off.”
Safety Siua Holani helped highlight the second half with a 43-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the fourth.
Johnson finished 17 of 20 for 247 yards and four TDs. The Tulane signee threw a 2-yard TD to Gazzaniga early in the fourth quarter.
Leki Holani led Santa Margarita in tackles with 10 while linebacker Vai Manutai and safety Logan Hirou added nine and eight, respectively.
In many ways, the Eagles dominated with the speed and power displayed by Mater Dei and St. John Bosco in combining to capture the Open Division the past eight years.
Santa Margarita outgained De La Salle 377-180.
“You come out that Southern Section Division 1 bracket these days, you’re going to be that,” Alumbaugh said. “The way they played tonight, that was impressive.”
Santa Margarita advanced to the state final after outscoring its three opponents in the section playoffs by a combined 94-22.
The Eagles captured their first CIF-SS crown since 2011 and earned a share of their first Trinity League title since 2001.
And on Saturday, the transformation yielded a storybook ending.
“We didn’t know we were going to be here,” Palmer said. “It’s tough to get better at this stage of the year. You get tired and it’s a long season. You get to Week 13 and then 14. Our guys didn’t flinch. Our guys just came in, got coached hard, worked extremely hard and this is what it feels like when you’re on top.”
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