Two images bookend Santa Margarita Catholic High School’s improbable journey from 2024’s scandal-ridden 5-7 season to a spot in the CIF State Open Division championship showdown with De La Salle on Saturday night and a game that has attracted national attention.

One is after Santa Margarita’s 42-7 victory against Centennial in the CIF Southern Section Division I title game, first-year head coach Carson Palmer, the former Eagles standout, USC Heisman Trophy winner, NFL All-Pro quarterback, kneeling beside his players at the center of the Rose Bowl, leading the team in the “Our Father.”

The second is the portrait revealed in court documents, police reports, interviews and emails of a 15-year-old, sophomore Santa Margarita football player allegedly being held down against his will by Eagl

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