Year two of the Palmer era will begin with a showdown against 2025 Florida Class 4A state finalist Jones (Orlando, Fla.), beginning a 10-game regular season slate the school unveiled over the weekend. See the complete schedule below.
Palmer, the 2002 Heisman Trophy winner at USC and a 15-year NFL veteran,
was named MaxPreps National Coach of the Year after guiding Santa Margarita to its first state title in 14 years last fall. The
Eagles won their final six games while outscoring the opposition
210-56.
was named MaxPreps National Coach of the Year after guiding Santa Margarita to its first state title in 14 years last fall. The
Eagles won their final six games while outscoring the opposition
210-56.
Santa Margarita also has a non-league road game with Centennial (Corona) in a rematch of last season’s Southern Section Division 1 final. The Eagles bested the Huskies 42-7 before handling De La Salle (Concord) 47-13 in the state championship game.
2026 Santa Margarita schedule
Aug. 21 — Jones (Orlando, Fla.)
Aug. 28 — at Centennial (Corona, Calif.)
Sep. 4 — Highland (Palmdale, Calif.)
Sep. 12 — Inderkum (Sacramento, Calif.)
Sep. 18 — Norco (Calif.)
Oct. 2 — Mater Dei (Santa Ana)
Oct. 9 — Servite (Anaheim, Calif.)
Oct. 16 — St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
Oct. 23 — JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
Oct. 30 — Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)
