News Summary
As the high school football season approaches, Orange County’s top quarterbacks are making headlines. Leading the pack is Luke Fahey from Mission Viejo, who has committed to Ohio State. Following him are notable players like Ryan Hopkins from Mater Dei and Timmy Herr from San Juan Hills. With strong performances anticipated, expectations are high for these athletes and their teams as they prepare for the competitive season ahead.
Orange County – As the 2025 high school football season approaches, the spotlight is on the region’s top quarterbacks, with several standout players already making headlines. Leading the ranks is Luke Fahey from Mission Viejo, who has committed to Ohio State and boasts an impressive 77% completion rate from last season. He has been pivotal in leading the Diablos to three passing tournament titles over the summer, solidifying his position as the top quarterback in Orange County.
Following closely is Ryan Hopkins of Mater Dei, now a senior and a recent transfer from JSerra to Mater Dei. He is committed to Wisconsin and is ranked second, although there are concerns regarding his eligibility. Hopkins, who is required to sit out five games due to being a transfer, has shown significant promise as he transitions to his new team.
In third place is Timmy Herr from San Juan Hills, recognized for his dual-threat capability, which has led him to an impressive past season, completing 69% of passes for 2,230 yards while rushing for nine touchdowns. Herr’s increased confidence on the field has made him a notable contender for the upcoming season.
Brady Edmunds takes the fourth spot, representing Huntington Beach. The 6-5, 225-pound quarterback is a first-team All-County selection, having passed for 3,222 yards and 36 touchdowns last season while making a successful transition under new head coach Matthew Hatchette.
Ranking fifth is Trace Johnson from Santa Margarita, who transferred from Buchholz in Florida. Johnson made headlines last season by passing for 3,522 yards and 29 touchdowns and is committed to Tulane, raising expectations for his performance in 2025.
In sixth place is Chance Thomas from Western, who, despite battling injuries that limited him to just seven games, still managed to record 1,738 yards and 17 touchdowns last season.
Meanwhile, Travis Frazier of Esperanza ranks seventh after showcasing his skills with nearly 2,700 yards and 31 touchdowns last season, praised for his ability to throw on the run. Eighth in the rankings is Tristan Zale from Trabuco Hills, who successfully passed for 2,908 yards and 30 touchdowns in the Mustangs’ Air Raid offense.
Ninth is DJ Mitchell of La Habra, a junior dual-threat quarterback expected to step up as QB1 next season. Rounding out the top ten is Alexander Lundsberg from Canyon, who led the county with 3,646 yards, 43 touchdowns, and 466 attempts last season.
Off the field, Carson Palmer, a former star at Santa Margarita, has been appointed the new head football coach at Santa Margarita Catholic. Palmer’s impressive credentials, including leading the Eagles to back-to-back CIF titles, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2002, and three Pro Bowl selections in the NFL, position him to make a significant impact. He is coaching his son, freshman quarterback Fletch Palmer.
Palmer replaces former coach Anthony Rouzier, who ended his tenure with a record of 23-21 across five seasons. The Eagles concluded the previous season strongly, defeating Servite and then Inglewood before falling to St. John Bosco in the playoffs while under interim coach Steve Fifita.
Despite the excitement surrounding new coaching staff and player transfers, there are concerns about the upcoming roster, particularly following allegations of sexual assault against teammates. This situation could affect player availability for the next season.
Key returning players for Santa Margarita include star wide receiver Trent Mosely, leading rusher Jaion Smith, and the top three tacklers: Dash Fifita, Logan Hirou, and Leki Holani.
As schools prepare for the 2025 high school football season, all eyes remain on these quarterbacks to see how they will perform and lead their teams.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Mission Viejo High School Football Season Preview
Mission Viejo High School Football Season Begins
High School Football Teams Prepare for Upcoming Season
Downtown Los Angeles Prepares for High School Football Season
Mission Viejo High School Football Prepares for Competitive Season
Saddleback High Football Wins First League Title in Decades
Mission Viejo Football Team Wins Battle at the Beach Championship
Mater Dei Football Team Wins Legends 7 v 7 Invitational
New CEO Prepares for Upcoming Orange County Fair
Corona del Mar Football Shines at Edison’s Battle at the Beach Tournament
Additional Resources
- OC Register: Orange County Football Preview
- Wikipedia: High School Football
- SI: Carson Palmer Named High School Football Coach
- Google Search: High School Football California
- CBS News: Carson Palmer is the New Head Coach
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Football
- OC Register: Luke Fahey Commits to Ohio State
