News Summary

The California high school football season has kicked off with top teams revealing their capabilities. Mater Dei leads with an unbeaten record, having a game against Kahuku upcoming. St. John Bosco and Mission Viejo also trail closely behind, showcasing impressive performances. Meanwhile, several teams remain undefeated, hinting at a competitive and thrilling season ahead as key matchups are set to take place soon.

California High School Football: Week 1 Highlights and Top Teams Update

In California, the high school football season is off to an exciting start with many of the state’s top teams showcasing their skills. As of September 1, 2023, Mater Dei remains top-ranked, now holding a record of 2-0 after their scheduled game against Bishop Montgomery was forfeited due to a lack of available players. Mater Dei is set to face Kahuku from Hawaii on September 5.

St. John Bosco, currently ranked second, continues to display dominant performances on the field, recently defeating Eastwood with a decisive score of 66-7. This victory follows their season-opening shutout against Manatee. In this latest game, sophomore quarterback Koa Malau’ulu threw for 137 passing yards, achieved three touchdown passes, and added one rushing touchdown to his tally. The St. John Bosco defense also made their mark with eight tackles for loss and four sacks.

Ranked third, Mission Viejo maintained their undefeated status by defeating St. Paul 59-21. The win was spearheaded by Ohio State commit Luke Fahey, who accounted for four touchdowns—three through the air and one via rushing. Mission Viejo aims to uphold its perfect record when they meet Folsom on September 5.

Sierra Canyon, holding the fourth position, is proving to be a strong contender with two impressive shutout victories this season, first against JSerra Catholic (35-0) and then against Oaks Christian (63-0). Quarterback Laird Finkel contributed significantly with two touchdown passes, while Sierra Canyon’s defense recorded three sacks and nine tackles for loss.

Orange Lutheran, currently ranked fifth, delivered a narrow win over Rancho Cucamonga with a final score of 27-24. They will take on Basha from Arizona in their upcoming match on September 5.

Top Performing Teams

The current top 25 California high school football teams are as follows:

• 1. Mater Dei (2-0)
• 2. St. John Bosco (2-0)
• 3. Mission Viejo (2-0)
• 4. Sierra Canyon (2-0)
• 5. Orange Lutheran (2-0)
• 6. Santa Margarita Catholic (1-1)
• 7. Corona Centennial (1-1)
• 8. Gardena Serra (2-0)
• 9. Rancho Cucamonga (0-2)
• 10. Servite (1-1)
• 11. San Juan Hills (2-0)
• 12. Tustin (2-0)
• 13. Damien (2-0)
• 14. Murrieta Valley (1-1)
• 15. Chaparral (0-1)
• 16. Los Alamitos (2-0)
• 17. Oak Hills (2-0)
• 18. Beaumont (2-0)
• 19. Valencia (2-0)
• 20. Yorba Linda (2-0)
• 21. JSerra (0-2)
• 22. San Clemente (1-1)
• 23. Edison (1-1)
• 24. Cathedral (1-1)
• 25. Chaminade (1-1)

Games and Upcoming Matchups

Several competitive games are scheduled for September 5, including the matchups of Mission Viejo vs. Folsom, Mater Dei vs. Kahuku, and Sierra Canyon vs. Punahou. Teams like Beaumont and Valencia have also turned heads during this early part of the season, continuing to display their potential as they remain undefeated.

Additionally, teams such as Millikan, Newbury Park, and Oaks Christian have dropped out of the top 25 rankings, while new entrants include Beaumont, Valencia, and Oak Hills, further heightening the competition in California high school football.

The competitive landscape of California high school football remains dynamic as teams continue to strive for success in what promises to be an exhilarating season ahead.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Yorba Linda Mustangs Triumph Over Edison Chargers 21-17
California High School Football Season Kicks Off
Capistrano Valley Football Triumphs Over Barstow in Home Debut
Saddleback College Football Team Faces Eighth Loss Against Vaqueros
St. Paul Swordsmen Suffer Defeat Against Mission Viejo Diablos
High School Football Teams Shine in CIF Southern Section
St. Paul Football Faces Defeat, Highlights Toloai’s Performance
Orange High School Football Triumphs in 5-Overtime Thriller
Mission Viejo Dominates St. Paul in Homecoming Game
Bishop Montgomery Forfeits Football Game Against Mater Dei

Additional Resources

• SI.com: California High School Football Top 25 Rankings
• Los Angeles Times: Southland High School Football Scores
• On3: California High School Football Rankings Sept 1
• SFGate: California Girls Flag Football
• KCRA: High School Playbook Week 1
• Wikipedia: California High School Football
• Google Search: California High School Football
• Google Scholar: California High School Football
• Encyclopedia Britannica: California High School Football
• Google News: California High School Football

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.