News Summary
This week in Orange County high school football features key matchups with ranked teams aiming for strong starts. Centennial faces Santa Margarita, Yorba Linda takes on Edison, and other exciting games highlight early season competition. Teams like Mater Dei and Edison show promise as the rankings shape up. Analysts anticipate thrilling outcomes that could impact playoff standings.
Orange County, CA – High school football action in Orange County heats up this week with several key matchups featuring ranked teams hoping to make an early season statement. Matchups take place on Thursday and Friday, with standout teams and players highlighted across the games.
The Game of the Week will see Centennial (1-0) take on Santa Margarita (0-1) at Trabuco Hills High on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Santa Margarita is eager to secure its first victory under the leadership of new head coach Carson Palmer, a former NFL quarterback and USC star. After losing their season opener against Mission Viejo 7-3, the team aims to overcome challenges related to penalties. In contrast, Centennial is riding high after a convincing 42-14 triumph against Servite, bolstered by senior quarterback Dominick Catalano, who threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns. Centennial currently holds the No. 4 spot in the CIF Southern Section division rankings.
Another exciting matchup will feature No. 9 Yorba Linda (1-0) facing No. 7 Edison (1-0) at Huntington Beach High on Thursday at 7 p.m. This matchup is a rematch from last season, where Yorba Linda narrowly defeated Edison 22-21. Yorba Linda kicked off their season with a dominant 41-0 win over Mayfair, while Edison secured a 20-13 victory against Clovis West, powered by the defensive performance of linebacker Jude Gonterman.
On Friday, No. 15 Villa Park (1-0) is set to clash with No. 15 Western (1-0) at Western High at 7 p.m. Villa Park narrowly edged out Carson last week with a 26-22 score, thanks to a crucial touchdown by senior Vinny La Gatta. Western also secured a close match in their opener, overcoming Los Angeles Salesian 34-31 behind junior quarterback Chance Thomas, who passed for 232 yards and three touchdowns.
In another matchup, No. 18 Huntington Beach (1-0) will face No. 22 Trabuco Hills (0-0) at Trabuco Hills High on Friday at 7 p.m. Huntington Beach recently defeated Orange 35-18, with strong performances from quarterback Brady Edmunds, who threw for 213 yards and three touchdowns. This will be Trabuco Hills’ season opener, setting the stage for their first game of the 2024 season.
Additionally, Murrieta Valley (1-0) will compete against No. 5 Servite (0-1) at Mt. San Antonio College on Friday at 7 p.m. Servite opened the season with a difficult loss to Centennial, struggling on both sides of the ball. Murrieta Valley, however, carries momentum into the match as they sit at No. 12 in the state rankings.
The rankings highlight strong performances from various teams, with Mater Dei currently holding the No. 1 spot after a victory against St. Thomas Aquinas. Orange Lutheran is tied for No. 3 after defeating a team from Miami. Edison and Tustin share the No. 7 position, making their matchup with Yorba Linda particularly noteworthy.
As the season unfolds, these early games will significantly impact team rankings and playoff positioning. Analysts favor Edison to emerge victorious against Yorba Linda and predict Huntington Beach will secure a win over Trabuco Hills in their respective contests. Other matchups are also scheduled for Thursday and Friday, promising an exciting series of games for high school football fans in the region.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
California High School Football Season Kickoff
Bella Emanuel Scores First Career Touchdown for Santa Margarita
Jordan Crisp Records Career-High Touchdowns in Latest Game
Orange County High School Football Rankings Released
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
Additional Resources
- Orange County Register: Football Top 25
- Wikipedia: High School Football
- OC Sports Zone: Final Scores for Week Zero
- Google Search: Orange County High School Football
- Orange County Register: Football Top 35 Rankings
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Football
- Orange County Register: Week 1 Football Schedule
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.
