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St. John Bosco’s Madden Williams, left, celebrates with Carson Clark (1) after he scores a touchdown against Santa Margarita during a game at Santa Margarita High School in Mission Viejo on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer/Contributing Photographer) Santa Margarita’s Trace Johnson runs on a quarter back keeper against St. John Bosco’s Isala Wily-Ava during a game at Santa Margarita High School in Mission Viejo on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer/Contributing Photographer) St. John Bosco’s Josh Holland intercepts a ball intended for Santa Margarita’s Jayden Crowder during a game at Santa Margarita High School in Mission Viejo on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer/Contributing Photographer) Santa Margarita’s Trent Mosley goes up over St. John Bosco’s Dorian Franklin during a game at Santa Margarita High School in Mission Viejo on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer/Contributing Photographer) Santa Margarita’s Trace Johnson throws during a game against St. John Bosco at Santa Margarita High School in Mission Viejo on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer/Contributing Photographer) St. John Bosco’s Carson Clark is tackled by Santa Margarita’s Logan Hirou during a game at Santa Margarita High School in Mission Viejo on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer/Contributing Photographer) St. John Bosco’s Koa Malau’ulu throws under pressure from Santa Margarita’s Dash Fifita (0) and Isaia Vandermade (53) during a game at Santa Margarita High School in Mission Viejo on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer/Contributing Photographer) Show Caption1 of 7St. John Bosco’s Madden Williams, left, celebrates with Carson Clark (1) after he scores a touchdown against Santa Margarita during a game at Santa Margarita High School in Mission Viejo on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer/Contributing Photographer) ExpandMISSION VIEJO — Santa Margarita and St. John Bosco played opposing roles Friday for an unexpected clash for first place in the Trinity League football race.
The Eagles entered as a fresh-faced contender with first-year coach Carson Palmer and a major upset of Mater Dei on a growing resume.
The Braves took the field as the established juggernaut that was expected to duel Mater Dei for the league title on Oct. 31 in Bellflower.
Koa Malau’ulu made sure St. John Bosco kept to its script.
The sophomore quarterback passed for 285 yards and four touchdowns as the Braves overcame penalty issues for a 27-14 victory at Trabuco Hills High.
In moving into sole possession of first place, the Braves had 20 penalties for 156 yards; the Eagles were flagged three times for 15 yards.
St. John Bosco (8-0, 3-0), No. 1 in multiple national rankings, took a 27-14 lead into the fourth quarter after Madden Williams made a leaping 35-yard touchdown grab in coverage with 2:25 left in the third.
Santa Margarita (5-3, 2-1), ranked No. 2 in Orange County and eighth in the nation by HSratings, had cut the Braves’ lead to 21-14 with a long scoring drive to open the third quarter.
The Eagles chewed up 7:06 of the clock in driving 80 yards for a 4-yard touchdown run by USC commit Trent Mosley.
St. John Bosco grabbed the lead on the third play from scrimmage. Malau’ulu found Carson Clark racing from the slot uncovered in the middle of the field for a 62-yard touchdown pass.
It was a sign of things to come.
On the Braves’ next possession, Malau’ulu tossed a 25-yard touchdown to Daniel Odom to cap a 67-yard drive and put Santa Margarita to chase mode.
Santa Margarita received a spark from Mosley late in the first quarter. The senior broke a spectacular 70-yard run to the St. John Bosco 1 to set up his own touchdown plunge.
But Malau’ulu stayed hot. Early in the second quarter, he threw an 11-yard touchdown to a wide out sophomore wide receiver DJ Tubbs as St. John Bosco opened a 21-7 lead.
Malau’ulu completed his first 11 passes for 184 yards and three touchdowns in a sizzling start.
Santa Margarita defense, which entered allowing 12.6 points, settled down by forcing two punts.
St. John Bosco’s defense was even better. Defensive end Dutch Horisk recorded two sacks and Josh Holland added an interception in the first half for a unit holding teams to 8.9 points.
Santa Margarita set the stage for Friday by upsetting Mater Dei 7-6 for its first victory against the Monarchs since Oct. 25, 2013.
While the win shook up the rankings, St. John Bosco coach Jason Negro wasn’t among the surprised.
“No, not really,” he said before kickoff Friday. “(Santa Margarita) had one of the most talented rosters coming back.”
Next week, St. John Bosco plays host to Servite on Friday, Oct. 24. Santa Margarita plays host to Orange Lutheran at Trabuco Hills High on the same day.
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