News Summary
The high school football season in Orange County is anticipated to showcase a roster of talented quarterbacks from various schools. Key players include Luke Fahey, Ryan Hopkins, and Timmy Herr, each demonstrating exceptional skills and leadership. Other notable names include Brady Edmunds, Trace Johnson, and Alexander Lundsberg, who have made significant impacts on their teams. The quarterback competitions across other schools, such as Orange Lutheran and San Clemente, are heating up as teams prepare for a thrilling season ahead.
Orange County Prepares for Exciting High School Football Season
The upcoming high school football season in Orange County is set to feature a remarkable lineup of talented quarterbacks, showcasing their skills at various schools across the region. Leading the pack is Luke Fahey from Mission Viejo, a senior quarterback committed to Ohio State. Fahey completed an impressive 77% of his passes last season and is known for his leadership abilities, making him the top choice for the upcoming season.
Following Fahey is Ryan Hopkins, a senior from Mater Dei, who has also committed to Wisconsin. After transferring from JSerra, Hopkins has shown comfort and skill during summer competitions. However, he faces eligibility challenges and is expected to sit out the first five games of the season. If he is unavailable, sophomore Furian Inferrera will step in.
Another standout quarterback is Timmy Herr from San Juan Hills. Herr, who gained confidence through summer 7-on-7 matchups, is recognized for his dual-threat capabilities. Last season, he completed 69% of his passes for 2,230 yards and rushed for nine touchdowns.
Brady Edmunds, a junior from Huntington Beach, stands at 6-foot-5 and weighs 225 pounds. He was a first-team All-County selection last season. A commitment to Ohio State adds to his profile, and with a new head coach, Matthew Hatchette, Edmunds is poised for continued success, having thrown for 3,222 yards and 36 touchdowns last season.
Trace Johnson, a senior at Santa Margarita who transferred from Buchholz in Florida, has committed to Tulane. Johnson commanded a strong passing game last season, throwing for 3,522 yards and 29 touchdowns. His new coach, Carson Palmer, notes that his schedule will be considerably more competitive compared to his previous experience in Florida.
Chance Thomas from Western is a junior quarterback standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 195 pounds. Known for his accuracy and mobility in the pocket, Thomas faced setbacks last season due to injury, limiting him to just seven games where he managed 1,738 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Travis Frazier, a senior from Esperanza, is another quarterback making headlines. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 210 pounds, he demonstrated his skills through the Kappa League, passing for nearly 2,700 yards and 31 touchdowns last season. His ability to spread the ball has caught the attention of coach JP Presley.
Meanwhile, Tristan Zale from Trabuco Hills showed strong performance last season with 2,908 yards and 30 touchdowns, operating within an Air Raid offense that is expected to deliver excellent results this year.
DJ Mitchell, a junior at La Habra, has taken on the primary quarterback role after sharing time in previous seasons. His dual-threat capability allows him to effectively launch passes downfield as well as run the ball when necessary.
Alexander Lundsberg, a senior at Canyon, led Orange County in key statistical categories last season, including passing yards (3,646), touchdowns (43), and attempts (466). Alongside his quarterback endeavors, Lundsberg also excels in lacrosse.
Quarterback Competitions at Other Schools
At Orange Lutheran, the quarterback competition remains intense, featuring freshman Ezrah Brown, junior Reagan Toki, and senior Jared Juliano. Notably, Brown is related to former Mater Dei quarterback Elijah Brown. Mater Dei is closely monitoring the status of Ryan Hopkins due to his transfer eligibility.
San Clemente will see a battle for the quarterback position between senior Luke Hardy and junior Eiler King. Independently, Yorba Linda is pitting juniors Noah Trujillo against Colin O’Connor, who is transferring from Servite.
At Dana Hills, the competition is fierce between sophomore Carter Anderson and senior Tommy Moro. Servite is encouraged by junior transfer Kale Murphy along with the growth of several quarterbacks, while Newport Harbor is set with senior Jake Meer as the returning starter, along with JSerra transfer Jordan Spigarelli in a sitout period.
Finally, Northwood is exploring multiple candidates, including seniors Noah Green, junior Caden Jacobs, and new transfer Dylan D’Epifanio. Troy is hosting a three-way competition featuring Andrew Acuna, Chase Kolbach, and Mason Mays.
As fall practice officially began for the 2025 high school football season on Monday, the excitement surrounding quarterbacks and matchups is palpable, promising an electrifying season ahead for Orange County football.
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California High School Football: Top Quarterbacks Spotlight
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Rancho Santa Margarita Schools Announce Key Dates for Academic Year
Grant Pacers Set to Face Folsom Bulldogs in Season Opener
Mission Viejo Diablos Win South County Classic Tournament
2025 Orange County High School Football Schedule Announced
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends Spotlighted for Upcoming Football Season
Back-to-School Event at The Shops at Mission Viejo
Additional Resources
- OC Register: Top Quarterback Competitions to Watch
- OC Register: Ranking the Top 10 Quarterbacks for 2025
- Sports Illustrated: Five-Star Quarterback Recruiting Insights
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Football
- Google Search: Orange County High School Football 2025

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.