News Summary
High school football teams in Orange County are preparing for their season as practices begin soon. Teams can hold scrimmages and must meet practice requirements to ensure player safety. Important games are scheduled during Week 0 and Week 1, with highlights including key matchups in the prestigious Trinity League. Fans are eagerly anticipating the schedule release and full-contact practices as the excitement builds for a thrilling season ahead.
Orange County, California – High school football teams across Orange County are gearing up for the 2025 season with practices set to begin on Monday, July 28, in accordance with California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) rules. Teams participating in Week 0 games will start their training sessions on this date, while those preparing for Week 1 games will kick off practices the following week, starting Monday, August 4.
To ensure player readiness, each team is allowed a single scrimmage. CIF regulations require teams to complete 14 days of practice before their first game, promoting player safety and skill development. This year, games for teams participating in Zero Week, which is the first week of games, will commence on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Some games are also scheduled for Friday, August 22, and Saturday, August 23. Teams that play in these Zero Week games will receive a bye week during the regular season.
For those teams that are not part of the Zero Week schedule, Week 1 games will begin a week later, with matchups scheduled for Thursday, August 28, Friday, August 29, and Saturday, August 30. The CIF playoffs will take place with the first round on November 7, followed by the second round on November 14, semifinals on November 21, and finals during the Thanksgiving week on November 28 and November 29. The State CIF playoffs will feature the Southern Regionals on December 5 and 6, while the state championship bowl games are scheduled for December 12 and 13.
Key matchups in the Zero Week games include exciting contests such as Yorba Linda vs. Mayfair at SoFi Stadium, along with games featuring Salesian at Western and Aliso Niguel against Beckman at Tustin. Additional notable games include Fullerton vs. Anaheim at Glover Stadium and a bout between Huntington Beach and Orange at Fred Kelly Stadium.
On August 22, fans can anticipate matchups like Mullen at Crean Lutheran and Long Beach Wilson at Portola. Notable occurrences on August 23 include Carson facing Villa Park at Fred Kelly Stadium. The CIF Southern Section will release a complete schedule during the week of Zero Week, providing football fans with details of the season’s line-up.
Prior to the commencement of full-contact practices, teams must adhere to a five-day acclimatization period. This period requires helmet use only during the first three days and allows for just one two-hour practice daily without blocking or tackling. Teams designated to play in Zero Week can begin full gear practices on August 2, while teams playing in Week 1 can start on August 9.
To be eligible for games, players must participate in a minimum of 10 days of practice. The CIF emphasizes safety protocols, including a two-week ‘dead period’ that may be scheduled at any point from the end of the academic year until fall semester commences. This period prohibits all school-organized practices and must last for 14 consecutive days.
In the upcoming Zero Week, Mission Viejo faces Santa Margarita, marking the debut of Santa Margarita’s new head coach, Carson Palmer. This game could set the tone for an exciting season ahead.
The prestigious Trinity League seizes attention this season with highly ranked teams. Mater Dei, currently holding the No. 1 rank in the MaxPreps national preseason rankings, also faces strong opponents, including St. Thomas Aquinas. Other Trinity League teams include St. John Bosco at No. 2 and Mission Viejo at No. 14, showcasing the competitive landscape of high school football in Southern California.
As practices get underway, players, coaches, and fans eagerly await what promises to be a thrilling football season in Orange County.
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Additional Resources
- OC Sports Zone
- OC Register
- ABC7 News
- Orange Observer
- High School OT
- Wikipedia: High School Football
- Google Search: Orange County High School Football 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Football
- Google News: Orange County Football News
- News of Orange
Author: STAFF HERE MISSION VIEJO WRITER
MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER The MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMissionViejo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Mission Viejo, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Oso Fit 5K Fun Run and Community Health Fair, Walk Against Drugs & Community Fair, and National Night Out. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce and Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, plus leading businesses in retail and education that power the local economy such as The Shops at Mission Viejo, Capistrano Unified School District, and Amazon Delivery Station. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
