Introduction to the Game
Mission Viejo coach Chad Johnson was surrounded by his players late Friday night after an exhilarating 7-3 victory over Santa Margarita at Trabuco Hills. “Phenomenal job,” he shouted to his team’s defensive players. In an opening game that resembled a Southern Section Division 1 playoff game with all the talent, intensity and coaching excellence on display, Mission Viejo placed its trust in perhaps the best quarterback in Southern California, Ohio State commit Luke Fahey, who delivered a 33-yard touchdown pass to Jack Junker late in the third quarter to wipe away a 3-0 deficit.
The Turning Point
The Eagles, in the coaching debut of Carson Palmer, could never recover. Junker used to play at Santa Margarita. The touchdown pass came after Mission Viejo punter Isaiah Murgia booted a 54-yard punt that left Santa Margarita on its four-yard line. Then came a short punt giving Mission Viejo the ball at the 33. 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. As he had been doing all night against Santa Margarita’s big, aggressive defensive line, Fahey rolled out and found Junker open in the end zone. “It was a deep shot to the corner. See if we could make a play,” Junker said.
Performance of the Quarterbacks
Luke Fahey celebrates with his Mission Viejo teammates after 7-3 win over Santa Margarita. (Craig Weston). Fahey was making plays, dodging and maneuvering, all night. He completed 16 of 22 passes for 169 yards. He suffered only one sack, which was tribute to his instincts and mobility. “They had a really good game plan,” Fahey said. “That was a great defensive line, and we had to battle through adversity. It shows what kind of team we have.” The two quarterbacks were doing their best to avoid mistakes. Trace Johnson was 13-of-16 passing in the first half for 138 yards and finished with 208 yards. Fahey, under constant pressure, was nine-of-12 passing for 106 yards in the first half.
Defense and Strategy
The Santa Margarita defensive line made up of transfer students Simote Katoanga, Manoah Faupusa and Isaia Vandermade rose up to stop Mission Viejo twice on goal-line situations from the one-yard line. There was no scoring in the first half until the final play of the second quarter when Tyler Wiegand made a 23-yard field goal. It was two good defenses shutting down offenses with enough pressure on the quarterbacks and fundamental tackling. Mission Viejo was helped by a penalty that nullified a 67-yard touchdown catch by Trent Mosley. Mission Viejo clinched the win when Santa Margarita could not complete a pass on fourth down from the eight-yard line with 26 seconds left.
Impact on the League
It was a night in which teams in the powerful Trinity League showed a chink in their armor. Besides the Eagles losing, JSerra suffered a 35-0 loss to Sierra Canyon with a running clock. Servite was beaten by Corona Centennial 42-14. St. John Bosco went to Bradenton, Fla., and came away with a 31-0 win over Manatee in a game halted at halftime because of lightning. Orange Lutheran and Mater Dei play Saturday in Florida.
Conclusion
The victory for Mission Viejo over Santa Margarita was a testament to the team’s resilience and the exceptional performance of its quarterback, Luke Fahey. The game highlighted the intensity and talent of both teams, showcasing what can be expected from the powerful Trinity League this season. With Fahey at the helm, Mission Viejo demonstrated its ability to overcome adversity and secure crucial wins.
FAQs
- Q: Who was the winning quarterback in the game between Mission Viejo and Santa Margarita?
A: Luke Fahey, an Ohio State commit, led Mission Viejo to victory with a 33-yard touchdown pass. - Q: What was the final score of the game?
A: Mission Viejo won 7-3. - Q: Who caught the touchdown pass for Mission Viejo?
A: Jack Junker, who used to play for Santa Margarita, caught the 33-yard touchdown pass from Luke Fahey. - Q: How did the Santa Margarita defensive line perform?
A: The defensive line, consisting of transfer students, successfully stopped Mission Viejo twice on goal-line situations from the one-yard line.
