Recent News

Santa Margarita Eagles Football
Sierra Canyon 37 - Eagles 20
Playing the #4 team in the state, the Eagles never gave up after going down 21-0 in the first quarter. WR Trent Mosley caught 6 passes for 75 yards, ran 8 times for 28 yards and intercepted a pass. QB John Gazzaniga was 17/35 for 235 yards, 1 passing TD and 1 rushing TD. WR Jack Junker caught 2 passes for 66 yards. Defensively DB Luke Anderson had 10 tackles (6 solo, 4 asst). LB Vaimaona Manutai also had 10 tackles (6 solo, 4 asst). LB Gage Burnett had 4 tackles (2 solo, 2 asst) and 1 Sack. DB Mason Reyes had 5 tackles (3 solo, 2 asst) and 1 sack.
Game Summary

Santa Margarita Eagles Football
Mater Dei 35 - Eagles 19
The Eagles played a close game vs the #2 team in the nation with a score of 19-21 midway through the 4th quarter. WR Trent Mosley caught 13 passes for 116 yards and 1 TD. RB Skylar Lendey rushed 16 times for 37 yards and caught 1 pass for 14 yards and a TD. Kicker Ryan Gass kicked 2 Field goals (32 & 27 yards). QB John Gazzaniga was 21/41 passing for 214 yards and 2 TDs. Defensively LB Noah Sulick led the team with 11 tackles (6 solo, 5 asst). LB LeVar Talley had 7 tackles (3 solo, 4 asst) and 1 TFL. DB Luke Anderson had 7 tackles (3 solo, 3 asst). DB Trey Brown dominated the secondary with 1 tackle and 3 passes defended.
Game Summary

Santa Margarita Eagles Football
Brett Neilon '17 Rimington Finalist
Following the 2022 season, USC center and Team Captain Brett Neilon '17 was named a one of three finalists for the Rimington Trophy, which is presented annually to the nation's best center. Brett appeared in 47 games (starting 42) in his career with the USC Trojans. In 2022 he was a First-team All-American. In 2021 he was an All-Pac-12 honorable mention and Pro Football Focus All-Pac-12 first team. He also won USC’s Co-John McKay Award.
Read More

Santa Margarita Eagles Football
Carson Palmer - College Football HOF
Congratulations to 1998 Santa Margarita graduate Carson Palmer for being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. The winner of the 2002 Heisman Trophy, Carson Palmer helped ushered in a new era of dominance at USC and finished his career as the Pac-10's all-time leading passer. At Santa Margarita Carson led the Eagles to 2 CIF-SS championships and the 1997 California Division II State Championship.
Press Release

SMCHS Football Tradition

2
CALIFORNIA
STATE CHAMPIONS
1997 California Division II State Champions
2011 California Division I State Champions

1996 CIF-SS Division V Champions
1997 CIF-SS Division V Champions
1998 CIF-SS Division V Finalist
2011 CIF-SS PAC-5 Champions
2017 CIF-SS Academic Champions


NATIONALLY RANKED TOP 50
1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2022
3
CIF-SS
CHAMPIONS
CIF-SS PLAYOFFS
1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023

CIF-SS QUARTER-FINALS
1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 2001, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2016, 2021, 2023

CIF-SS SEMI-FINALS
1990, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2006, 2011
21
NFL
ATHLETES
1 Heisman Trophy Winner
1 Outland Trophy Winner
1 Johnny Unitas Award Winner
1 Walter Peyton Award Winner
1 Rimington Award Finalist
3 Elite 11 Quarterbacks
#9 Maxpreps Most Dominant Program
in California (2008-18)

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
1996, 1997, 2000, 2001
(Sea View, Serra)

* SMCHS competes in the Trinity League which is ranked as the toughest High School Football league in America.

262
COLLEGE ATHLETES
8 per year average *
99.9%
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE
* 33 Varsity Seasons
20
IVY LEAGUE ATHLETES
0.61 per year average *

Alumni in the Pros

View All