Santa Margarita football hands Oaks Christian its third early season loss

WESTLAKE VILLAGE — It’s been a less-than-stellar start to the 2025 campaign for the Oaks Christian football team.

The Lions carried a 1-2 record into Friday night’s game against Santa Margarita, but left the field with their third home loss, falling 44-14 to the Eagles.

To make matters worse, sophomore starting quarterback Trey Towns Jr. checked out of Oaks Christian earlier this week.

But Oaks Christian head coach Charles Collins has faced adversity like this in the past.

Four years ago, the Lions started the 2021 season 0-5, but won seven of their next eight games to make the postseason.

Last year, Oaks Christian started 2-2, yet made the Division 2 semifinals.

“We went through that last year, we had a tough preseason and we went to a semifinal,” Collins said. “We feel the same way about it. Nothing changes with our approach. We’re fired up and looking forward to getting everybody back and healthy and we’re going to make a good run.”

Friday night’s matchup against the Trinity League’s Santa Margarita began much like the rest of the games so far this season, with Oaks Christian off to a slow start because of mistakes.

A low snap led to a downed punt attempt in the end zone and a quick two points for Santa Margarita.

The Eagles’ offense started to take off after that, scoring first via Jaion Smith’s 5-yard rushing touchdown, his first of three rushing scores in the first half.

Santa Margarita quarterback Trace Johnson started to get hot in the second quarter, connecting with Grant Mosley for a 24-yard touchdown pass.

Johnson followed up with another score on Santa Margarita’s ensuing offensive possession, finding Ryan Carpenter for a 2-yard touchdown.

Oaks Christian flashed some signs of life in the second half by way of Deshonne Redeaux’s big-play ability.

The USC running back commit broke off a 40-yard run late in the third quarter and scored a couple of plays later from 5 yards out.

Redeaux took a 52-yard pass from freshman quarterback Niko Bladow to the house in the fourth quarter.

To his credit, Bladow stood tall in the pocket and wasn’t afraid to get hit going against Santa Margarita’s swarming defensive front.

“Courageous. You’re talking about a kid who didn’t even know he was going to get in there and play,” Collins said about Bladow. “To come in there and do what he did and be brave going against that team, says a lot about his resolve.”

Bladow was thrust into action this week with the news that Towns Jr. had checked out of Oaks Christian and initiated a transfer to Rancho Cucamonga.

“All I can say is quit. He quit on his team,” Collins said. “That’s all I can say about that.”

Collins said his team is maintaining a positive attitude and keeping its eye on the prize of a Marmonte League championship.

Playing tough competition like Santa Margarita, Chaminade and Sierra Canyon earlier in the year will only help prepare Oaks Christian for what lies ahead.

“We’ve been down this road, it’s territory that we’re used to. We’re not deterred at all,” Collins said. “As a matter of fact, we’re motivated. I always tell the guys, ‘The prize goes to the one that can see farthest down the road.’ So we’re looking down the road.”

Oaks Christian rounds out its nonleague slate on the road against Serra next week on Friday.