News Summary

The high school football season in Orange County reaches its halfway mark, with five weeks completed. Key candidates for Offensive Player, Defensive Player, and Coach of the Year are being evaluated based on outstanding performances that are shaping the season’s trajectory.

Orange County High School Football Mid-Season Awards and Highlights

The high school football season in Orange County is officially at its halfway point, with five weeks of competition completed and five remaining. As the season progresses, various candidates for prestigious awards such as Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Coach of the Year are being evaluated based on their performance on the field.

Offensive Player of the Year Candidates

The race for Offensive Player of the Year features impressive performances from several standout players:

• Luke Fahey, Mission Viejo, QB, Sr.: Fahey has completed 73% of his passes for 1,464 yards, ranking second in the county. He has contributed significantly to his team’s success with 15 touchdowns against only one interception, highlighted by a remarkable game against Folsom where he achieved 323 yards and five touchdowns.
• Caden Jones, Crean Lutheran, QB, Jr.: Jones has displayed exceptional accuracy, completing 76% of his passes for a total of 1,432 yards and 10 touchdowns without any interceptions. His performance has been pivotal in leading the Saints to a perfect 5-0 start and securing a No. 10 ranking in Orange County.
• Chris Henry Jr., Mater Dei, WR, Sr.: As a key receiver, Henry has tallied 17 receptions for 333 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 83 receiving yards and 20 yards per catch.
• Ethan Mundt, Troy, RB, Sr.: Mundt is a force on the ground, ranking second in the county with 858 rushing yards and setting school records with an astounding 376 yards and six touchdowns in a single game.

Defensive Player of the Year Candidates

Contenders for the Defensive Player of the Year award are showcasing exceptional talent and athleticism:

• Dash Fifita, Santa Margarita, LB, Sr.: Fifita boasts 35 total tackles and 20 solo tackles, demonstrating excellent speed and strong tackling abilities.
• JD Hill, Mission Viejo, DL, Sr.: Hill leads his team with 68 total tackles, including 16 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. His performance has marked him as a promising college football prospect.
• Lenny Ibarra, Los Alamitos, LB/DB, Sr.: Ibarra leads the undefeated Griffins with 62 total tackles and is also the second-leading rusher and receiving yards leader on the team.
• Rocco Tompkins, JSerra, LB, Sr.: Tompkins leads JSerra’s defense with 84 total tackles and averages an impressive 17 tackles per game, cementing his dominance on the field.

Coach of the Year Candidates

The Coach of the Year race highlights leaders who have significantly impacted their teams:

• Ray Fenton, Los Alamitos: Under Fenton’s guidance, the Griffins remain undefeated at 7-0 despite losing two star players, showcasing resilience and effectiveness.
• Chad Johnson, Mission Viejo: Johnson’s leadership has established the best public-school team in the county, currently holding a record of 4-1.
• Chris Reinert, Servite: Reinert has shown a remarkable ability to improve the team’s performance following a challenging season opener.
• John Shanahan, Laguna Beach: Shanahan has led his program to a successful 5-0 start, demonstrating substantial improvement and achievement.

Additional Notes

As the season unfolds, it is important to note that the CIF Southern Section will utilize HSratings.com rankings for determining playoff divisions. In addition to football, JSerra’s flag football team currently holds the No. 1 ranking following a victory against Orange Lutheran. In boys’ water polo, Newport Harbor and Corona del Mar are positioned as the top two teams in the power rankings. Upcoming matches and future tournaments are expected to affect standings in each sport as the season progresses.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

JD Hill Schedules Official Visit to University of Utah
Mater Dei High School Tops Orange County Football Rankings
Murrieta Valley Nighthawks Triumph Over San Clemente Tritons
Mission Viejo Diablos Set to Host Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits
Advancements in Southern California Community Colleges
Riverside Tigers Lose Heartbreaker in Double Overtime
Los Alamitos Griffins Secure Dominant Victory Over Calabasas Coyotes
Tragic House Fire Claims Life in Mission Viejo
Fatal House Fire Claims Life in Mission Viejo
Orange County High School Football Teams Prepare for League Play

Additional Resources

• OC Register: Sunny Hills Football Scores in Final Seconds to Stun Marina
• Wikipedia: High School Football
• OC Sports Zone: Orange County High School Football Schedule for Week Six
• Google Search: Orange County High School Football
• OC Register: Girls Flag Football Top 10
• Google Scholar: High School Football Awards
• OC Register: Steve Fryer’s Orange County Football Top 35 Rankings
• Encyclopedia Britannica: American Football
• OC Register: Orange County Scores and Player Stats
• Google News: High School Football
• OC Register: Rivalry Grows for Newport Harbor and Tesoro

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.