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Santa Margarita linebacker Dash Fifita knows all about pursuit.
When the senior blitzes a quarterback, he utilizes his speed, an array of strategies and a relentless drive to reach the target.
“I’m under-sized,” the 5-foot-9, 185-pound Fifita said. “Gotta play my game.”
Fifita is chasing more than tackles for the Eagles (3-2), who open the Trinity League against Servite (4-1) on Friday at Santa Ana Stadium.
He aims to play next season at the University of Arizona with his brother Noah, the Wildcats’ junior quarterback. Dash, a first-team All-County selection last season, committed to Arizona in February.
“It’s been a dream of mine to play with him my whole life,” Dash said of his brother. “That’s my role model. That’s my best friend.”
“He’s taken me under his wing in every aspect of life,” Dash added. “In his faith. In his friends. He’s just shown me the ropes. Everything I do is a testament to what he’s done (for me).”
Raised in a Polynesian home, family connections have always been paramount to Dash, 18, and Noah, 22.
Dash is easily spotted after games spending time with his family in the stands, a tradition Noah followed while playing at Servite.
Dash’s uncle Steve Fifita is Santa Margarita’s defensive coordinator.
On this past Saturday, the boys’ parents and family shared the cheering roles with games in Orange County and Iowa.
The boys’ father Les watched Dash record two sacks and seven total tackles against national power Bishop Gorman of Las Vegas at Tesoro High. The boys’ mother Winnona saw Noah pass for 253 yards and two touchdowns against No. 14 Iowa State.
“We try to split it up evenly,” Dash said of the cheering sections. “Family is big in our life.”
On and off the field, @SMCHSEagles LB @FifitaDash again impressed v. Bishop Gorman, two sacks and part of a physical run defense, stay tuned for more on the Arizona commit next week @SMCHS_Football @thenoah_fifita1 pic.twitter.com/17euCG8eSe
— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) September 28, 2025
‘AMAZING’ COMEBACK
Aliso Niguel offensive lineman Maximus Romvari played in his fourth consecutive game on Saturday after undergoing heart surgery on Aug. 26.
The senior, who was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition, started at left guard and didn’t allow a sack in a 48-35 victory against El Toro.
“He played great,” Aliso Niguel coach Michael Calahan said of Romvari, who also played against Chino, Capistrano Valley and Pacifica. “Pretty amazing he’s able to play at the level he is after his surgery. Truly a testament to his character.”
Romvari had surgery at Children’s Hospital of Orange County for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a condition that features an extra pathway for signals in the heart that leads to a rapid heartbeat.
Romvari’s surgery, performed by Dr. Anjan Batra, included an ablation of an extra pathway in his heart.
“We really admire Maximus and how he handled the weight of his heart surgery and how quickly he recovered,” his mother Carolyn Leigh said. “Maximus’ quick action recognizing his condition meant he could be treated immediately.”
Aliso Niguel (4-1) opens the Foxtrot League on Friday by playing host to Dana Hills (5-0), one of six undefeated teams in Orange County.
SHORT ROUTES
The other county teams that remain undefeated are Los Alamitos (7-0), Crean Lutheran (5-0), Corona del Mar (5-0), Laguna Beach (5-0) and Calvary Chapel (5-0). …
Los Alamitos is off to its best start since 2008. The Griffins’ seven-game winning streak is the longest active stretch in the county. …
The Foxtrot and Trinity leagues each posted 21 composite victories in nonleague games to tie for the county lead. …
Servite leads its all-time series against Santa Margarita 18-12-1. Former Friars coach Troy Thomas went 12-2 against the Eagles. …
Katella (3-2) has tripled its win total from last season entering its Omicron League opener at Buena Park (3-2) on Friday. The Knights finished 1-9 the past two seasons. …
Newport Harbor linebacker Glenn Baranoski, who leads the Sailors with 51 total tackles, has committed to San Diego. …
If the season ended today, Tustin and Crean Lutheran would narrowly miss being placed in the Alpha League for 2026 and 2027. Edison would edge both schools for the sixth and final spot based on HSratings. The Orange County Football Conference weights this season’s results at 65 percent and 2024 at 35 percent.