September 2, 2025

California High School Football Season Kicks Off

News Summary

The California high school football season has officially begun, bringing intense competition and excitement across the state. Fans can now vote for the top play of Week 1 and watch highlights on the High School On SI platform. Notable performances include spectacular plays from various teams, along with significant upsets and strong contenders emerging. The CIF Southern Section Top 10 teams have been updated, reflecting the early developments in the league. The excitement continues as the season progresses with standout players making their mark.

California – The 2025 California high school football season officially kicked off last week, bringing excitement and intense competition across the state. Fans can now enjoy weekly highlights as the High School On SI platform showcases the top plays from each game throughout the season. Voting for the top play of Week 1 is currently open until August 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT, allowing fans to engage in the action.

Among the notable top plays from the opening week, Centennial’s Ty Plinski delivered a spectacular one-handed touchdown grab, while St. Mary’s Landon McClendon showcased his defensive prowess with a 65-yard scoop-and-score following a big hit. Mission Viejo quarterback Luke Fahey connected with Jack Junker for a thrilling game-winning touchdown, and Sierra Canyon’s Jaxsen Stokes skillfully evaded defenders to score. The Murrieta defense made headlines as well, forcing a crucial fumble during their matchup.

High School On SI has made these standout moments available for viewing on their website, allowing fans to relive the excitement of the games. Week 1 was not only about individual highlights but also featured significant upsets and impressive performances from various teams. Damien triumphed over JSerra, Beaumont scored an impressive 52 points against Cathedral, and Loyola pulled off a surprise victory against Millikan. Although Santa Margarita suffered a loss to Mission Viejo in their initial game, they bounced back with a commanding 33-point victory against Centennial.

As the season progresses, Valencia is emerging as a strong contender for a Division 2 playoff spot. The updated Top 25 CIF Southern Section high school football rankings reflect these early developments, with three new teams entering the rankings: Beaumont, Valencia, and Oak Hills. Conversely, Millikan, Newbury Park, and Oaks Christian fell out of the rankings. These rankings will be updated every Sunday during the season to reflect teams’ performances.

The Top 10 teams in the CIF Southern Section after Week 1 are led by Mater Dei, who holds a 1-0 record following a forfeit victory over Bishop Montgomery. St. John Bosco remains strong with a 2-0 record after defeating El Paso Eastwood from Texas. Mission Viejo has also shone with a notable win over St. Paul, bringing their record to 2-0, alongside Sierra Canyon, who shut out Oaks Christian with an impressive 63-0 victory.

Following closely are Orange Lutheran (2-0), who secured a narrow win against Rancho Cucamonga, and Santa Margarita (1-1), marking the first win under new coach Carson Palmer. Corona Centennial holds a record of 1-1 after losing in overtime to Santa Margarita. Gardena Serra boasts two shutouts in their two games, which puts them at 2-0, while Rancho Cucamonga, despite being winless, is regarded as a competitive team due to their challenging matchups. Servite rounds out the top ten with a record of 1-1 after their win against Murrieta Valley.

As these teams continue to compete for top positions and championships, the excitement of high school football remains palpable. The ongoing coverage of high school sports includes regular updates, newsletters, and mobile app features that help fans track their favorite teams and games. For those looking to catch the action live, high school football can be streamed through the NFHS Network, offering fans an opportunity to experience the thrill of gameplay as it unfolds.

As the season progresses into Week 2 and beyond, standout players like Luke Fahey and Jaxsen Stokes will undoubtedly continue to play pivotal roles in their teams’ successes. With each passing week, the competition will intensify, further igniting the passion for high school football in California.