News Summary
The Orange County Top 25 rankings for high school football showcase a competitive season ahead. Mission Viejo takes on Santa Margarita in a key matchup, while other notable games include San Clemente versus Tustin and Temecula Chaparral battling San Juan Hills. Mater Dei, the reigning champion, leads the rankings following a recent victory. As teams prepare for an eventful season, predictions are made for several exciting matchups in the weeks to come.
Orange County – The Orange County Top 25 rankings for high school football have been released, with games kicking off Friday at 7 p.m. The spotlight matchup this week features No. 2 Mission Viejo taking on No. 3 Santa Margarita at Trabuco Hills High, in what promises to be an exciting start to the football season. Both teams are entering the game with a clean slate, as their records currently stand at 0-0.
Leading the charge for Mission Viejo is senior quarterback Luke Fahey, an Ohio State commit who is stepping into a more prominent role after sharing quarterback duties last season. Supporting him will be senior receiver Vance Spafford, who is committed to the University of Miami and is expected to be a key target in the passing game.
On the other side, Carson Palmer, a former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from USC, will make his coaching debut for Santa Margarita. Under his leadership, the team looks to capitalize on the talent of quarterback Trace Johnson, a transfer from Florida who is committed to Tulane. This week, Santa Margarita received uplifting news with the eligibility of three projected starter transfers by CIF-SS, which could bolster their lineup significantly. Senior receiver Trent Mosley, committed to USC, is also poised to make an impact on the field.
Predictions for the matchup favor Mission Viejo due to their established football system and marginal edges in key areas. This game is expected to be closely contested, showcasing the strengths of both teams.
Another notable matchup includes No. 11 San Clemente facing No. 8 Tustin at Tustin High, also taking place on Friday at 7 p.m. Tustin boasts players recognized in the Hot 150 rankings, such as co-linemen of the year Jon Ioane and Jeremiah Williams. San Clemente returns a robust roster of starters, known for their ability to deliver unexpected victories. However, assessments favor Tustin, citing their overall talent as a decisive factor in the matchup.
In another battle, Temecula Chaparral will clash with No. 6 San Juan Hills at San Juan Hills High, where two strong quarterbacks will be leading their teams. San Juan Hills posts a formidable offense with Timmy Herr, who was recognized as last year’s Bravo League Player of the Year. Predictions for this high-stakes game lean towards San Juan Hills, which is anticipated to deliver a high-scoring affair.
El Modena will also commence its season against No. 24 Troy at Fullerton High. In this matchup, Troy features running back Ethan Mundt, who was named the Iota League offensive player of the year last season, giving them a strategic advantage. Predictions indicate that Troy is expected to outperform El Modena, who faces the challenge of adapting after losing multiple starters from the previous year.
Shifting focus to the national stage, No. 1 Mater Dei, the reigning national champion from 2024, is set to face St. Thomas Aquinas in Florida this Saturday at 12:30 p.m. on ESPN. Mater Dei’s senior quarterback Ryan Hopkins, a Wisconsin commit, will lead an offense filled with elite recruits, making them the heavy favorites against St. Thomas Aquinas given their experience and talent.
Current rankings show Mater Dei at the top with a 1-0 record after a recent victory against St. Thomas Aquinas 26-23 in their season opener. Mission Viejo is positioned at No. 2 with a pristine 4-0 record following a successful match against Santa Margarita. Orange Lutheran and Santa Margarita are tied for No. 3 with records of 1-0, while Servite rounds out the top five with a loss to Centennial at 42-14.
As the season unfolds, clarity in the rankings is anticipated, especially with numerous upcoming predictions for additional exciting matchups, including Rancho Cucamonga versus Orange Lutheran and Foothill competing against Tustin on Friday.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
El Monte High School Football Star Shines with a Career-High Game
California High School Football Season Kicks Off
Mission Viejo Edges Santa Margarita in Season Opener
Mater Dei High School Football Team Tops Early Rankings
Mission Viejo High School Football Team Triumphs
Mission Viejo Triumphs Over Santa Margarita in Season Opener
Mission Viejo High School Wins Season Opener Against Santa Margarita
Southland High School Football Showcase Talent in Week 0
Mission Viejo Triumphs Over Santa Margarita in Football
Roosevelt Mustangs Continue Winning Streak Against Diablos
Additional Resources
- OC Register: Orange County Football Top 25
- OC Sports Zone: Week Zero Final Scores
- OC Sports Zone: Week One Football Schedule
- OC Register: Girls Flag Football Update
- OC Register: Week 1 Football Schedule
- Wikipedia: High School Football
- Google Search: Orange County High School Football
- Google Scholar: High School Football
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Football
- Google News: Orange County 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.
