News Summary
The 2025 Orange County high school football schedule features an exciting lineup starting with a highly anticipated matchup between Mission Viejo and Santa Margarita. This season will showcase standout players and key games, including matchups against ranked teams. Notably, Carson Palmer, a former Heisman Trophy winner, begins his coaching career at Santa Margarita. Fans can expect thrilling matchups and the emergence of new talents as the season unfolds.
Orange County, CA – The 2025 Orange County football schedule is set to kick off with an exciting lineup of games and standout player matchups beginning with the highly anticipated kickoff game, where Mission Viejo will face Santa Margarita at Trabuco Hills High School on August 22. This opener marks the debut of Carson Palmer, a Santa Margarita alumnus and Heisman Trophy winner, as the Eagles’ head coach.
As competition heats up, both teams are coming into the season with impressive rankings, with Mission Viejo positioned at No. 14 and Santa Margarita at No. 16 nationally in the MaxPreps.com rankings. Mission Viejo also holds the No. 6 rank among public schools, setting the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating matchup. Last season, Mission Viejo triumphed over Santa Margarita with a decisive score of 35-7, heightening expectations for this year’s rematch.
Key Players to Watch
Both teams will showcase elite talent on the field. Mission Viejo features Vance Stafford, a receiver committed to Miami, and Luke Fahey, the top-rated Orange County quarterback committed to Ohio State. Meanwhile, Santa Margarita boasts Trent Mosley, a two-time All-Orange County selection committed to USC, and Trace Johnson, a senior quarterback transfer from Florida pledged to Tulane, making both teams formidable contenders.
Week 0 and 1 Matchups
In addition to the kickoff game, several other matches are scheduled for Week 0, including Mater Dei facing St. Thomas Aquinas from Florida, along with Tesoro vs. El Toro, Northwood vs. Irvine, and San Clemente vs. Tustin.
As the season progresses into Week 1 on August 29, Villa Park will confront Western. Villa Park will feature a youthful lineup with seven sophomores and experienced players like Luvie Clark, a senior receiver, and Maverick DeClark, a junior middle linebacker. Western will counter with talents such as Chance Thomas, a junior quarterback, Maxwell Young, a senior receiver committed to Fresno State, and Skylar Lendsey, a senior running back committed to UNLV.
Key Games in Weeks 2-4
Week 2 will showcase Esperanza at Dana Hills on September 5, featuring quarterback Travis Frazier from Esperanza, who had an impressive season last year with 2,697 passing yards. Dana Hills will rely on Thompson Foulger, their Foxtrot defensive player of the year.
In Week 3, Crean Lutheran will go up against El Modena. This game is anticipated as Crean Lutheran will field a young yet athletic team, with Caden Jones returning to the quarterback position following previous injuries.
Week 4 presents a thrilling rematch when Tustin takes on Yorba Linda on September 19. Tustin aims to avenge their only loss from last season to Yorba Linda, with key players like Khalil Terry and Jon Ioane stepping up for Tustin.
Weeks 5-10 Highlights
As the season continues, Week 5 features a significant game with Bishop Gorman visiting Santa Margarita on September 27. Bishop Gorman enters the match ranked No. 3 nationally by MaxPreps, trailing only Mater Dei and St. John Bosco. This game is particularly notable as the Santa Margarita Eagles look ahead to their match against Servite the following week.
Week 6 will commence league play in the Epsilon League, highlighted by La Habra vs. El Dorado on October 3, featuring DJ Mitchell as the focal quarterback. Throughout Weeks 7 to 10, matches including Yorba Linda at San Juan Hills, Santa Margarita against Mater Dei, and the highly anticipated Mater Dei at St. John Bosco showdown on October 31 promise to be fan favorites with potential playoff implications.
This season is shaping up to present high-profile encounters and exceptional player showcases, establishing Orange County as a vibrant hub for high school football. Fans can look forward to thrilling games, exceptional talents, and the continuous evolution of high school football as the season progresses.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Back-to-School Event at The Shops at Mission Viejo
Top Quarterbacks to Watch in Orange County High School Football
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
Additional Resources
- OC Register: Great Matchups Galore for Orange County Football in 2025
- OC Register: Football Recruiting – O.C. Approaching 40 Commitments from Class of 2026
- GoPHNX: Phoenix Rising 4-1 Loss to Orange County
- OC Register: Orange County Football Preview – Ranking the Top 10 Running Backs for 2025
- Google Search: Orange County High School Football 2025
