News Summary
The 2025 football season kicked off at Mission Viejo High School with the beginning of practice for high school teams in Orange County. Players engaged in warm-up drills, while standout senior quarterback Luke Fahey showcased his skills. Coach Chad Johnson emphasized player health with changes to the practice schedule, including a focus on safety amid ongoing concerns. The upcoming opening game against Santa Margarita promises to be thrilling as both teams are ranked in the preseason national standings.
Mission Viejo kicked off its 2025 football season on Monday with the official start of practice for high school teams across Orange County. Players at Mission Viejo High School gathered for a series of meetings at 7:30 a.m. before hitting the field for on-field activities at 8:20 a.m. The practice began with stretching exercises at 8:30 a.m., all while a cool marine layer provided a refreshing atmosphere for the players.
Notable highlights from the first practice included senior quarterback Luke Fahey, who is committed to Ohio State, actively engaged in guiding receivers and displaying his skills. Fahey earned accolades as an All-Alpha League first-team player last season and played a pivotal role in leading Mission Viejo to victory during the Battle at the Beach summer passing tournaments.
Senior receiver Vance Spafford, recovering from mononucleosis, participated in limited drills but is expected to be cleared for full practice later this week. His progress has been closely monitored by the coaching staff. Team camaraderie was evident as defensive lineman JD Hill, weighing 270 pounds and standing 6-2, humorously wore a plain black T-shirt amidst teammates in their practice jerseys, drawing light-hearted banter from coaches. Hill, committed to Northern Arizona, is also a basketball player for Mission Viejo.
In a shift to prioritize player health and safety, Coach Chad Johnson decided against the traditional two-practice-a-day format during the first week of practice. This move comes amid ongoing efforts to address safety concerns in football related to concussions and heat-related illnesses, thereby promoting a safer environment for athletes. According to protective gear regulations, only helmets are allowed during the initial three days of practice; shoulder pads may be introduced after the third day, while full gear, including tackling and blocking, will commence after an acclimatization period.
Mission Viejo’s opening game is scheduled against Santa Margarita on August 22 at Trabuco Hills High. The two teams currently hold impressive rankings, with Mission Viejo at No. 14 and Santa Margarita at No. 16 according to MaxPreps.com’s preseason national rankings. Notably, Santa Margarita has recently hired alumnus and Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer as their new head coach, bringing renewed energy to the program.
Key players to watch for Santa Margarita include All-Orange County receiver Trent Mosley and senior quarterback Trace Johnson, who transferred from Florida. Following a disappointing 5-7 record last season, Santa Margarita has made considerable changes to its team structure with hopes of improving their prospects this year.
Mission Viejo had an impressive run last season, finishing with a 10-0 record before being eliminated in the CIF-SS Division 1 quarterfinals. Other teams within the Trinity League, such as JSerra and Servite, will also participate in games during Week 0, while Mater Dei, ranked No. 1 in the MaxPreps.com national preseason rankings, is set to start its season against St. Thomas Aquinas in Florida.
To be eligible for games, players must complete a minimum of 14 days of practice, placing the commencement of practice for Week 0 teams on August 2. This rigorous schedule emphasizes the importance of preparation and safety in the high-stakes world of high school football as the season progresses.
This season promises to spotlight standout players, including Spafford and Mosley, who are expected to significantly influence their teams’ performances as they compete for league and playoff honors.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
High School Football Teams Prepare for Upcoming Season
Downtown Los Angeles Prepares for High School Football Season
Strong Performances in San Diego High School Summer Tournaments
Yorba Linda Football to Open Season at SoFi Stadium
Mission Viejo High School Football Prepares for Competitive Season
Southwest High School Football Preseason Power Rankings Released
HSRatings Introduces Paywall, Impacting High School Football Playoffs
California’s Legacy of Producing Elite NFL Quarterbacks
Saddleback High Football Wins First League Title in Decades
Mission Viejo Football Team Wins Battle at the Beach Championship
Additional Resources
- OC Register: Mission Viejo Kicks Off Season
- Wikipedia: High School Football in the United States
- OC Register: Orange County Football Teams Begin Practices
- Google Search: High School Football
- USA Today: Mission Viejo HS California Forfeits Games
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Football
- OC Register: Football Recruiting in O.C.
- Google News: High School Football Recruiting
- LA Times: Orange County High School Football Brain Injury
- Google Scholar: Football Concussions
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.
