News Summary
As the high school football season approaches in Orange County, talented players such as Trent Mosley and Vance Spafford are set to shine. With numerous standout wide receivers and tight ends, including players committed to major universities, the season promises thrilling matchups. Training begins soon, leading to key Week zero games, with expectations high for these gifted athletes to make a significant impact on their teams and the overall league.
Orange County, California is poised to kick off the 2025 high school football season with a remarkable lineup of talented wide receivers and tight ends. As teams begin their preparations, key players have established their credentials that promise excitement on the field.
Leading the pack is Trent Mosley from Santa Margarita, a senior wide receiver who has committed to USC. Last season, Mosley recorded 61 receptions for 908 yards and 8 touchdowns. Additionally, he made significant contributions on the ground by rushing for a team-high 7 scores. His consistent performance earned him first-team All-County selections in the past two seasons, highlighting his renowned skills in route running and making impactful plays.
Another standout is Vance Spafford of Mission Viejo, also a senior wide receiver, committed to Miami. Spafford had an impressive season with 57 catches for 1,017 yards and an incredible 14 touchdowns, maintaining his status as a deep threat in the county. Despite experiencing illness during summer practices, he is back to full strength as fall approaches.
Kayden Dixon-Wyatt from Mater Dei is another key player to watch. Also a senior wide receiver, Dixon-Wyatt committed to Ohio State and concluded his previous season with 50 receptions for nearly 700 yards and 5 touchdowns. Known for his ability to make difficult catches, he is expected to play a pivotal role in his team’s offense.
On the tight end side, Mater Dei’s Mark Bowman, who has reclassified to join the Class of 2026, has committed to USC. Standing at an impressive 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Bowman combines athleticism with physical play, posing matchup challenges for defenses and offering strong blocking capabilities.
Huntington Beach’s Troy Foster, a senior wide receiver committed to Colorado State, had a stellar last season with 65 receptions for 1,290 yards and 15 touchdowns. His combination of size at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds and remarkable speed present considerable challenges for the competition.
Junior wide receiver Chris Flores from Orange Lutheran is also one to keep an eye on. At 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds, Flores recorded 60 catches for 717 yards and 5 touchdowns last year, excelling as a possession receiver and demonstrating the ability to gain yardage after the catch.
Other notable players include Chris Henry Jr. from Mater Dei, who is committed to Ohio State and looking to recover from an injury; Markus Kier at Orange Lutheran, committed to Princeton; and Ty Johnson from Crean Lutheran, who transferred from Texas and has drawn interest from several colleges. Additionally, Dorsett Stecker from Corona del Mar has also shown consistent offensive skills.
As these players prepare for the upcoming season, High School football practices for Week zero games begin on July 28, 2025. Teams are allowed one scrimmage and must conduct practices for at least 14 days before their first game. Week zero games are set to kick off between August 21-23, with the regular season following on August 28-30.
For the postseason, the CIF playoff schedule is already mapped out, starting with the first round on November 7 and continuing through the semifinals on November 21, with finals taking place on November 28-29. The Southern Regionals for State CIF playoffs will unfold on December 5-6, culminating with the state championship games on December 12-13.
As the season draws closer, anticipation builds around these promising players and their potential to make significant impacts on their teams and in the overall landscape of high school football in Orange County.
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Additional Resources
- OC Register: Football Recruiting O.C.
- Google Search: Orange County high school football
- OC Sports Zone: Key Dates for High School Football
- Wikipedia: High school football
- OC Register: Orange County Football Preview
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Football
- Orange Observer: High School Football Media Day
- Google News: 2025 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.
