With just one score and four quarters of elite defense, Mission Viejo spoiled NFL legend Carson Palmer's high school football coaching debut and preserved its No. 22 national ranking.
The Diablos won 7-3 on a third quarter touchdown pass from Ohio State commit Luke Fahey to WR Jack Junker – a junior transfer from none other than Santa Margarita.
With both sides dominating on defense, the game was scoreless until the last play of the first half when Santa Margarita got on the board with a short field goal from Tyler Wiegand. Rarely are so few points scored between national-caliber California programs. The game didn't feature many fumbles, any interceptions, or a slew of dramatic sacks or tackles for loss. It was just four quarters of tight coverage, disruptive defense at the line of scrimmage, and overall execution by both defenses.
The matchup featured two of high school football's premier wide receivers and 4-star seniors, Mission Viejo's Vance Spafford (Miami) and SMCHS' Trent Mosley (USC). Both faced an army of defenders zeroing in on them at every turn and weren't able to produce much statistically despite impressing in limited opportunities.
Mission Viejo all-state defensive lineman JD Hill (NAU) was everywhere against a new-looking Santa Margarita offensive line. And Santa Margarita linebackers Dash Fifita (Arizona) and Leki Holani were among those who had Ohio State-bound Mission Viejo QB Luke Fahey scrambling and rolling out on almost every play. But Fahey was able to manage the clock, avoid turnovers, and find Junker in the end zone while drifting to the side for a 33-yard touchdown for what proved to be the game-winner.
Luke Fahey discusses Mission Viejo’s 7-3 win. He delivered 33-yard TD pass to Jack Junker. pic.twitter.com/B7X162JQ4Z
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) August 23, 2025
Our reporter Isabella Lyons caught up with tonight’s JPWest Media Player of the Game Jack Junker after @missionfootball win over Santa Margarita pic.twitter.com/YLLhxA8gaw
— JPWest Media (@JPWestMedia) August 23, 2025
Postgame with @JDHill2026 one of Mission Viejo’s defensive stars in a 7-3 win v Santa Margarita, Diablos’ defense was undersized but held tough @missionfootball pic.twitter.com/yN3UHVFbrc
— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) August 23, 2025
Postgame with Mission Viejo football coach Chad Johnson on his ‘gritty’ Diablos rising to beat Santa Margarita of the Trinity League pic.twitter.com/pQlCDKNwK2
— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) August 23, 2025
One thing is for sure – while both offenses are understandably works in progress, both defenses are among the best in high school football.
Scroll down for updates and results from the game.
PREGAME:
Santa Margarita hosts Mission Viejo (at Trabuco Hills High School) tonight in a battle of two of California's premier high school football programs.
The battle features the two best wide receivers in California in our book, Mission Viejo's Vance Spafford (Miami) and Santa Margarita's Trent Mosley (USC). Both are seniors and 4-star recruits. Each team has an accomplished 3-star senior QB getting them the ball as well in Mission Viejo's Luke Fahey (Ohio State) and Santa Margarita's Trace Johnson (Tulane), the latter of whom is a transfer from Florida heavyweight Buccholz. Both teams have multiple other national recruits and start Division 1 prospects at nearly every position.
Entering the season, Mission Viejo is ranked fifth in the state and Santa Margarita sixth by The Sporting News.
Santa Margarita vs. Mission Viejo live updates, results, highlights
Mission Viejo wins 7-3.
FOURTH QUARTER:
0:27: Trace Johnson fumbles a tough snap and throws an incomplete pass to the corner of the end zone. Mission Viejo takes over on downs, and that should be the ballgame.
0:34: It's 4th-and-inches just outside the 8-yard-line. Mission Viejo calls timeout.
1:27: After a Mission Viejo pass interference, Santa Margarita has 3rd-and-1 at Mission Viejo's 9-yard-line.
8:01: Mission Viejo misses a 38-yard field goal.
Mission Viejo leads 7-3 after three quarters.
THIRD QUARTER:
1:32 – Mission Viejo 7, Santa Margarita 3: In one fell swoop, Mission Viejo has gotten on the board and taken the lead. Luke Fahey rolled out and found Jack Junker – a transfer from Santa Margarita – in the corner of the end zone for a 33-yard score.
Jack Junker catches 33-.yard TD pass from Luke Fahey. Junker used to play at Santa Margarita. 7-3 Mission Viejo with 1:31 left in third. pic.twitter.com/1MAx5shs2q
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) August 23, 2025
2:24: Mission Viejo delivers an outstanding punt from well past midfield to the Diablos' own 4-yard-line.
4:39: After a promising seven-minute and 21-second drive, Santa Margarita narrowly misses a 31-yard field goal.
Santa Margarita leads Mission Viejo 3-0 at halftime. The third quarter is yet to begin.
SECOND QUARTER:
Halftime – Santa Margarita 3, Mission Viejo 0: Tyler Wiegand kicks a field goal as the second quarter expires.
4:18: It's still scoreless. Mission Viejo to punt after a third-down sack from Vai Manutai.
SM pressuring Fahey, 2nd sack pic.twitter.com/k3zdE3K0Er
— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) August 23, 2025
The game is scoreless after one quarter. Santa Margarita has the ball.
FIRST QUARTER:
3:27: The Eagles hold off Mission Viejo in the red zone, including a forced fumble by Leki Holani on 4th-and-inches. They take over in their own red zone.
9:10: Santa Margarita forces a punt to open the game, and Mission Viejo lands it within the 10-yard line.
Santa Margarita vs. Mission Viejo start time
- Date: Friday, Aug. 22
- Time: 7:00 p.m. PT
The opening kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PT on Friday, Aug. 22. The game will be played at Trabuco Hills High School in Mission Viejo.
MORE: How to watch Santa Margarita vs. Mission Viejo