News Summary
The anticipation for California’s high school football season culminates this weekend with thrilling matchups across the state. Fans can expect competitive games, featuring top teams from both Southern and Northern California. Highlights include showdowns such as Servite vs. Centennial and Mater Dei vs. St. Thomas Aquinas. The opening week of the season promises an exciting atmosphere as teams strive for victory under the bright Friday night lights, setting the stage for a competitive season ahead.
Corona, California – The highly anticipated California high school football season kicks off this weekend, featuring an array of exciting contests across the state. As teams from both Southern and Northern California take to the field, fans can look forward to thrilling matchups under the traditional Friday night lights.
Week 1 of the season promises an engaging lineup of games featuring top-10 showdowns and even some interstate matchups. Noteworthy games include Servite vs. Centennial, Sierra Canyon vs. JSerra Catholic, Mission Viejo vs. Santa Margarita Catholic, Mater Dei vs. St. Thomas Aquinas, and Orange Lutheran vs. Northwestern. Each contest has its own storylines, with teams eager to kick off the season with a win.
Highlighted Matchups
Servite vs. Centennial
Schedule: Friday, August 22, at 10 p.m. ET
Location: Husky Stadium, Corona, California
Predicted Score: Centennial 40, Servite 14
Servite enters this season after a mixed performance in 2024, having won six consecutive games only to fall short against top-tier teams. In contrast, Centennial is anticipated to dominate, with analysts predicting a wide margin of victory.
Sierra Canyon vs. JSerra Catholic
Schedule: Friday, August 22, at 10 p.m. ET
Location: Sierra Canyon Football Stadium, Chatsworth, California
Predicted Score: Sierra Canyon 27, JSerra Catholic 25
Sierra Canyon had a strong finish to last season, winning five of their last six games. On the other hand, JSerra Catholic enters the matchup with challenges, having lost five of their final six games. This closely contested game is expected to be one of the highlights of the opening week.
Mission Viejo vs. Santa Margarita Catholic
Schedule: Friday, August 22, at 10 p.m. ET
Location: Trabuco Hills High School, Mission Viejo, California
Predicted Score: Mission Viejo 28, Santa Margarita Catholic 26
Mission Viejo comes off a phenomenal 2024 season with a record of 10-1, while Santa Margarita ended with a disappointing 5-7. This matchup is expected to be tightly fought, showcasing the strength of Mission Viejo against their rival.
Mater Dei vs. St. Thomas Aquinas
Schedule: Saturday, August 23, at 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Brian Piccolo Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Predicted Score: Mater Dei 42, St. Thomas Aquinas 7
The defending CIF Open Division state champion, Mater Dei, will travel to Florida to face St. Thomas Aquinas, a team ranked seventh in the state. This game will test Mater Dei’s prowess as they seek to maintain their elite status.
Orange Lutheran vs. Northwestern
Schedule: Saturday, August 23, at 7 p.m. ET
Location: Nathaniel Traz Powell Stadium, Miami, Florida
Predicted Score: Orange Lutheran 28, Northwestern 22
Orange Lutheran is coming off a strong performance that led them to the Division I state semifinals last season. They look to continue their success against Northwestern in an interstate clash that promises to be competitive.
Engaging Fans Throughout the Season
To keep fans informed and engaged, the Rivals High School Scoreboard will provide real-time updates and final scores from games throughout California. This resource will be essential for following teams as they navigate through the season and aim for championships.
Season Overview
This year, California’s high school football season showcases a strong field, with many top programs eager to claim title aspirations. Half of the state’s 10 sections will begin play this week, while others are set to start the following week. The opening games are expected to establish a competitive environment as teams work toward their goal of championship glory.
With such an exciting start to the season, players, coaches, and fans alike are ready to immerse themselves in what promises to be an exhilarating journey unfolding under the Friday night lights.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Dijon Lee Jr. Joins Alabama Crimson Tide as Freshman Cornerback
Mission Viejo High School Football Team Secures Home Victory
Orange County High School Sports Scores
2025 High School Football Season Kicks Off in Orange County
Long Beach Poly Suffers Fourth Consecutive Loss
Southern California High School Flag Football Results
Additional Resources
- SI.com: California High School Football Games of the Week
- Wikipedia: High School Football in the United States
- Los Angeles Times: Southern California Week 0 High School Football Schedule
- Google Search: California high school football 2025
- Sporting News: California High School Football Top 25 Rankings
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Football
- Daily News: Complete High School Football Preview for 2025
- Google News: California high school football season
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.
