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MISSION VIEJO — As Santa Margarita’s last pass at the South County Classic sailed into the hands of a Sierra Canyon defender, the outcome of the championship game and the challenge ahead for the Eagles became clear.
Sierra Canyon’s Myles Baker intercepted a pass on the final play to seal a 29-21 victory and ignite multiple celebrations on the turf at Mission Viejo High.
The Trailblazers not only defeated the reigning CIF-SS Division 1 and CIF State Open Division champion in a premier passing tournament, they knocked off the team that beat them in the playoffs last fall.
Santa Margarita football coach Carson Palmer noticed Sierra Canyon’s elation, and it fit the message that he has been sharing with his players.
“We lost that game (and) you see how excited they were,” Palmer said of Sierra Canyon. “We’re no longer the underdog. We got a target on our back.”
“It’s good,” the Heisman Trophy winner and former Pro Bowl quarterback added. “We kind of snuck up on people (last season), and that’s been my message a lot. We’re not sneaking up on anybody (this season). … (It’s) going from an underdog mentality to the bullseye is on our back. You can’t take a play off. You can’t take a day off because somebody is coming for you.”
Sierra Canyon def. Santa Margarita 29-21 to claim Mission Viejo passing tourney, beating reigning D1 and state champs clearly means something, new season, new challenge for SM pic.twitter.com/rSJt3s61G7
— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) July 18, 2026
Mission Viejo defended its title in the linemen competition to help highlight the event.
Palmer’s son Fletch tossed touchdowns to tight end Braxton Boyle and wide receiver Ryan Clark in the final.
The junior-to-be quarterback connected with Boyle on a fourth-down play. Clark made a leaping catch in the back of the end zone to trim Sierra Canyon’s lead to 21-14 with about nine minutes left.
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Senior-to-be Matthew Smith threw a late touchdown to J.J. Minardi to cut Sierra Canyon’s lead to 28-21 but the Trailblazers sealed a 7-0 record for the tournament with an interception by Baker, a UCLA commit.
In the semifinals, Santa Margarita edged reigning tournament champion Mission Viejo 16-15 with a late defensive stand. In quarterfinals, the Eagles handled Crean Lutheran 29-0.
Smith and Fletch Palmer rotated throughout the day.
“Both did really well,” Carson Palmer said. “There’s plenty time for guys to keep competing and keep getting reps.”
The Eagles also received strong play from freshman wide receiver Kiyan Callis, running back Adrian Petero and tight end Sacha Guerdat.
They played without tight end Luke Gazzaniga and wide receiver Grant Mosley among others.
“(We) showed some fight,” Carson Palmer said. “Really happy with where we’re at and the group we have. And now we get to go to training camp.”
Mission Viejo led Santa Margarita 7-0 and 14-8 after a touchdown reception by Jack Junker.
The Diablos rotated quarterbacks Brett Burnor and Nash McElree.
“That’s my job, coach them up and get them better,” Mission Viejo coach Chad Johnsons said of the passers. “Find out what they can do.”
In the finals of the tug-of-war, Mission Viejo defeated El Dorado. The Diablos’ team featured several members of their offensive line, which appears to be one of the strengths of the team.
In the other semifinal, Sierra Canyon defeated Capistrano Valley 22-7.
Corona del Mar pushed Sierra Canyon in the quarterfinals before falling 29-22.
The Sea Kings impressed by defeating Mater Dei 23-15 in group play.
Corona del Mar received contributions from quarterbacks JD Annett and Luca DiNapoli, wide receivers JJ Haley and Tucker Murray, and safety Henry Birchard.
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Birchard had two interceptions.
More coverage to come.