Orlando Jones (Fla.) Football to Face Santa Margarita Catholic (Calif.) in 2026

The Fighting Tigers will travel cross-country to take on the 2025 CIF Open Division champions.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The Orlando Jones (Fla.) high school football team will travel to California to face off against Santa Margarita Catholic High School, the 2025 CIF Open Division champions, in the 2026 season opener. This cross-country matchup between the two highly ranked programs is slated to take place on the weekend of August 21-22, 2026.

Why it matters

This high-profile out-of-state matchup will provide an early-season test for both programs as they look to build on their recent success. For Orlando Jones, it represents a chance to measure themselves against one of the top teams in the country and potentially make a national statement, while Santa Margarita Catholic will look to defend their state title against a formidable opponent.

The details

Orlando Jones, led by head coach Elijah Williams, is coming off a 12-3 season in 2025 that saw them reach the state championship game for the third time under Williams' watch. However, the Tigers will have to replace key graduates like Miami-bound quarterback Dereon Coleman, Nebraska enrollee Larry Miles, and Colorado signee Xavier Payne. Santa Margarita Catholic, the No. 7 ranked team in the country according to the final 2025 Rivals National High School Football Composite Rankings, went 12-3 last season and won the CIF Open Division title under new head coach Carson Palmer, a former NFL quarterback.

  • The matchup is slated to be the season opener for both programs, which would point to the weekend of Aug. 21-22, 2026.

The players

Elijah Williams

The head football coach of Orlando Jones High School, leading the program to three state championship appearances.

Carson Palmer

The new head coach of Santa Margarita Catholic High School, a former NFL quarterback.

Dereon Coleman

A Miami quarterback signee who graduated from Orlando Jones High School.

Larry Miles

A Nebraska enrollee who graduated from Orlando Jones High School.

Xavier Payne

A Colorado signee who graduated from Orlando Jones High School.

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What they’re saying

“Orlando Jones (Fla.) football team will be taking their show on the road across the country to the state of California.”

— Chris Hays, Orlando Sentinel reporter (Orlando Sentinel)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This high-profile matchup between two top-ranked high school football programs will provide an early-season litmus test and national exposure for both Orlando Jones and Santa Margarita Catholic as they look to build on their recent successes and make a statement on the national stage.