Palmer earns first win as Santa Margarita coach in OT thriller over Centennial
MISSION VIEJO — Carson Palmer got his first win as Santa Margarita’s head coach in dramatic fashion, as the Eagles rallied to beat Centennial 33-27 in overtime in a nonleague matchup at Trabuco Hills High School.
In overtime, freshman Adrian Petero punched in a 1-yard score behind a heavy push from Santa Margarita’s line to seal the result after eight of the Eagles’ nine plays in the extra period. Petero finished with 103 rushing yards on 11 carries, and Santa Margarita moved to 1-1 on the season after Palmer’s debut a week earlier, a 7-3 loss to Mission Viejo.
The game featured a back-and-forth finish. Centennial tied the game at 27 on a dramatic 43-yard TD pass from Dominick Catalano to Ty Plinski with 14 seconds left in regulation. After a surge of late drama in the fourth, a high snap on Centennial’s PAT attempt forced the kick to be blocked, but officials ruled that since the kick was blocked the roughing the kicker penalty could not be called, leaving the game tied and headed to overtime.
Centennial struck first in the game with a 77-yard bomb from Catalano to Plinski on the opening play from scrimmage, giving the Huskies a 7-0 lead. Santa Margarita answered with a 15-yard touchdown run by Trace Johnson, and a 21-yard scoring catch from Johnson to Ryan Clark, to take a 13-7 lead. Santa Margarita extended that advantage to 20-7 late in the second quarter after Ca’ron Williams intercepted a pass and returned it 62 yards for a pick-six.
Centennial cut the deficit to 27-21 on a 77-yard pass from Catalano to Plinski with 2:59 left in regulation, then tied the game on the late 43-yard connection to Plinski before the overtime sequence.
Santa Margarita’s defense clamped down in moments, with Williams adding a second interception and teammates Dash Fifita, Alek Holani and Manoah Faupusa contributing big stops. Williams’ two picks, along with the overall defensive play, supported the Eagles in a game they started 20-7 at halftime.
Offensively, Santa Margarita was led by Johnson’s 176 passing yards, while senior receiver Trent Mosley sat out due to a foot injury. Ryan Clark hauled in eight receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown, and Luke Gazzaniga added six catches for 81 yards, including a critical fourth-down conversion in overtime. Santa Margarita’s defense forced several key stops, and Petero’s late-game heroics capped a strong all-around effort.
Centennial was without head coach Matt Logan, who was in hospital for precautionary evaluation but was reported to be feeling well and watching the livestream of the game. Centennial’s Catalano finished with big-yardage passing and a late TD, while tailback Malaki Davis contributed on the ground.
Key stats and notes:
– Petero: 103 rushing yards on 11 attempts; OT-winning 1-yard TD.
– Trace Johnson III: 176 passing yards; 15-yard TD run earlier; connection to Clark and Gazzaniga produced significant gains.
– Ca’ron Williams: two interceptions, including a 62-yard return for a TD.
– Santa Margarita led 20-7 at halftime; Centennial scored two late fourth-quarter TDs to force OT.
– Rankings: Centennial No. 4, Santa Margarita No. 7 in the California HS ratings.
– Home venue for Santa Margarita this season is Trabuco Hills; next game is Sept. 5 at Highland (Palmdale). Centennial hosts Bingham (Utah) on Sept. 6.
What it means going forward:
– Palmer’s first win as head coach reinforces the program’s positive trajectory and demonstrates the team’s resilience under his leadership.
– The Eagles show promise across multiple positions, with Johnson, Clark, Gazzaniga and Williams delivering important plays. The freshman Petero’s breakout performance adds a valuable weapon for the offense.
– Santa Margarita will look to build on this momentum as it returns to a road test against Highland and continues to integrate new personnel and schemes.
Summary:
Santa Margarita overcame a late four-quarter surge by Centennial to win in overtime, 33-27, behind a late-jeopardy, game-winning drive capped by Adrian Petero’s 1-yard TD run. Palmer’s coaching debut produced a win with key contributions from a balanced offense and a stifling defense, setting a hopeful tone for the rest of the season. A positive takeaway is Palmer’s early imprint on a young Eagles squad, with several players stepping up in a high-stakes environment.