News Summary
As the playoffs approach, Orange County’s high school football scene intensifies with critical matchups ahead. This week’s ‘OCVarsity Gridiron’ showcases key games like Santa Margarita vs St. John Bosco and Mission Viejo vs San Clemente. With updated rankings reflecting fierce competition, teams like Los Alamitos stand out with their unbeaten record. Mater Dei faces pressure after a recent loss, making their upcoming matchup vital. The excitement builds as teams vie for playoff positions in a thrilling season defined by rivalries and standout performances.
Orange County, CA – The much-anticipated week of Orange County high school football matches is upon us, with several significant games scheduled to take place. This week’s “OCVarsity Gridiron” video hosted by Steve Fryer and Dan Albano spotlights essential matchups that will likely shape the season’s landscape as teams approach the playoffs.
Among the featured games is the clash between Santa Margarita and St. John Bosco, a critical matchup in the Trinity League. Other notable games include Mission Viejo taking on San Clemente, and Los Alamitos facing off against Edison at the iconic SoFi Stadium. Additionally, Irvine will meet El Toro, while Orange Lutheran goes against JSerra.
As of this week, Albano has released his top 40 rankings for Orange County football teams. At the pinnacle is Mission Viejo with a record of 6-1, followed closely by Santa Margarita at 5-2. Mater Dei and Servite join the top four with records of 4-2 and 5-2, respectively. Orange Lutheran, with a struggling start of 3-4, rounds out the top five.
Top Rankings Overview
Albano’s ranking list reveals a competitive environment. Here are the top 10 teams:
- Mission Viejo (6-1)
- Santa Margarita (5-2)
- Mater Dei (4-2)
- Servite (5-2)
- Orange Lutheran (3-4)
- Los Alamitos (7-0)
- Crean Lutheran (7-0)
- JSerra (3-4)
- Corona del Mar (7-0)
- Tustin (6-1)
Recent Performance Insights
The rankings are heavily influenced by recent games. Notable performances include Santa Margarita, which pulled off a narrow victory over Mater Dei with a score of 7-6. Furthermore, Mission Viejo previously defeated Santa Margarita 7-3 in their opening matchup of the season. In another strong showing, San Juan Hills triumphed over Yorba Linda with a score of 41-17, while Huntington Beach edged La Habra 35-30. El Modena also secured a victory, defeating Western 28-21.
Upcoming Key Matches
Looking ahead, key matchups include Edison facing Los Alamitos at SoFi Stadium, which is highly anticipated given Los Alamitos’ unbeaten record of 7-0 and their impressive scoring average of 41 points per game. Another critical game to watch is Mission Viejo hosting San Clemente.
Mater Dei’s Challenge
After the recent setback against Santa Margarita, Mater Dei is under pressure to perform in their upcoming game against Servite on Saturday at Santa Ana Stadium. The team’s offensive struggles were starkly evident in the last game, where they only managed to total 189 yards against Santa Margarita.
As the season progresses, these rankings and matchups will be crucial in determining playoff positions for the Orange County teams. Fans are encouraged to follow along as the excitement unfolds in this high-stakes football season.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Mission Viejo Hosts Series of Blood Drives
Mission Viejo Takes the Lead in Orange County Football Rankings
Orange County High School Football Teams Compete This Week
Mater Dei Faces Defeat Against Santa Margarita in Close Game
Rising Star JD Hill Gains Attention from Major Colleges
Mission Viejo Prepares for League Match Against San Clemente
Mission Viejo and San Clemente Clash in Conference Showdown
Mission Viejo Reclaims Top Spot in Orange County Football Rankings
Mission Viejo Reclaims Top Spot in OC Football Rankings
Additional Resources
- OC Register: Dan Albano’s Orange County Football Top 40 Rankings – Oct 15
- OC Register: Steve Fryer’s Orange County Football Top 35 Rankings – Oct 14
- OC Sports Zone: Orange County High School Football Schedule for Week Eight – Oct 16 through Oct 18
- Encyclopedia Britannica: American Football
- OC Register: Orange County Football Top 25 – Mission Viejo Back at No. 1
Author: STAFF HERE MISSION VIEJO 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.
