MISSION VIEJO – Carson Palmer, who won plenty of football games when he was Santa Margarita’s quarterback, got his first win Thursday as the school’s football coach.
Adrian Petero’s 1-yard run, with plenty of push from the offensive line, in overtime gave the Eagles a 33-27 win over Centennial in a nonleague game at Trabuco Hills High.
Santa Margarita coach Carson Palmer talks to the referees during a nonleague game against Centennial on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Margarita, ranked No. 3 in the Orange County Top 25, lost to No. 2 Mission Viejo last week 7-3 in Palmer’s debut.
The Eagles took a 27-14 lead into the fourth quarter. Centennial, which beat Servite 42-14 last week, scored two touchdowns in the final quarter, including a