Santa Margarita Holds Off Centennial in 21-20 Thriller
CORONA, Calif. — Santa Margarita continued its strong start to the 2026 season with one of its biggest wins yet, holding off Centennial 21-20 in a high-profile CIF Southern Section matchup at Centennial High School.
The Eagles entered the game facing one of Southern California’s most explosive programs, but they quickly set the tone. Santa Margarita jumped out to a 14-0 lead behind rushing touchdowns from Adrian Petero and Jaion Smith, while its defense slowed Centennial’s offense early.
Centennial responded before halftime, cutting the deficit to 14-7 on a passing touchdown and keeping the game within reach heading into the break.
The Huskies carried that momentum into the third quarter. On their first offensive possession of the second half, Centennial drove for another touchdown to tie the game at 14-14.
With the game even and momentum beginning to shift, Santa Margarita’s defense delivered the play that changed the night.
On the final play of the third quarter, Centennial quarterback Jaden Jefferson attempted a pass from deep in his own territory. Santa Margarita junior cornerback Ca’ron Williams jumped the route, intercepted the pass and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown, giving the Eagles a 21-14 lead.
Centennial answered again in the fourth quarter, putting together an 86-yard drive capped by an 11-yard touchdown reception from Braylin Drake. The score brought the Huskies within one at 21-20 and set up what appeared to be a game-tying extra point.
Instead, Santa Margarita safety Jake Martin got a hand on the kick at the line of scrimmage. The deflection sent the ball off the right upright, preserving the Eagles’ one-point lead.
Centennial still had one final opportunity late in the game. With less than three minutes remaining, the Huskies faced fourth-and-1 near midfield with a chance to continue a potential game-winning drive. Freshman Aydan Steen came up with the stop for Santa Margarita, bringing Jefferson down just short of the first-down marker and allowing the Eagles to take possession and finish the game.
The 21-20 victory gave Santa Margarita another statement win over Centennial after defeating the Huskies twice during the 2025 season, including a 42-7 victory in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship game.
For Santa Margarita, the difference came from its ability to control the line of scrimmage, remain patient offensively and produce critical defensive plays in the biggest moments.
Williams’ pick-six, Martin’s blocked extra point and Steen’s fourth-down stop gave the Eagles three game-changing defensive plays in the second half alone.
Santa Margarita left Corona with a narrow but significant victory, once again proving it can match up with the best programs in Southern California as the 2026 season continues.
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