News Summary
As the football season approaches, high schools in Orange County are set to showcase their talents across two leagues, the Alpha League and the Foxtrot League. With teams like Edison, Mission Viejo, and San Clemente in the Alpha League and Aliso Niguel and Dana Hills in the Foxtrot League, anticipation is building for an electrifying season. Each team boasts key players ready to make their mark, whether through strong offensive strategies or solid defensive performances, promising competitive matchups to watch throughout the season.
Orange County high school football is gearing up for an exciting season as teams from both the Alpha League and Foxtrot League prepare to showcase their talent. The Alpha League features four teams: Edison, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo, and San Clemente, while the Foxtrot League comprises six teams: Aliso Niguel, Dana Hills, Fountain Valley, Laguna Beach, Northwood, and Orange.
Alpha League Overview
Edison
Edison High School’s football team is looking to build on past successes with a strong roster this season. Key players include Devyn Blake, a senior offensive and defensive lineman, Ayden DeGiacomo, a junior wide receiver and defensive back, and Sam Thomson, a junior quarterback. Last season, Thomson stepped in as the starting quarterback and led the team to the CIF Southern Section and CIF State championships. Edison’s strategy will emphasize a more aerial attack this season, with DeGiacomo having a standout season last year with 31 receptions for 597 yards and four touchdowns.
Los Alamitos
Los Alamitos is under the leadership of first-year starting quarterback Colin Creason, who is expected to have a great season alongside fellow offensive standout and Army commit Lenny Ibarra, a senior ranked fourth among running backs in Orange County. The defense is formidable, led by Jackson Renger, the Alpha League lineman of the year in 2024. Other notable players include Kamden Tillis, who transitions from receiver to running back this season, adding depth to their offensive strategy.
Mission Viejo
Mission Viejo anticipates a successful run in the league with predictions of finishing 3-0. The standout player is senior quarterback Luke Fahey, who holds the distinction of being the top QB in the county and have committed to Ohio State. With an impressive supporting cast including Vance Spafford, who is committed to Miami, and JD Hill, a defensive lineman with an impressive 16.5 sacks, Mission Viejo aims to leverage its talented offensive and defensive units.
San Clemente
San Clemente is returning six starters on offense and five on defense, providing a solid foundation for this season. Key players include Jaxson Rex, an all-conference selection who shows versatility with positions, and Scotty Johnson, who anchors the offensive line. Josh Kerst, a senior defensive end, had an impressive twelve sacks last season, which places significant expectations on the team’s defense.
Foxtrot League Overview
Aliso Niguel
Aliso Niguel is poised to improve with five returning starters on both offense and defense. Senior quarterback Carter Vestermark performed well last season, completing 66% of his passes and helping the team secure 1,385 yards and nine touchdowns.
Dana Hills
Dana Hills boasts four players on the OCVarsity Hot 150 list, which indicates a strong season ahead. Senior Radley Geiss was a significant contributor last season with 1,419 rushing yards. The starting quarterback position is under competition, as both Carter Anderson and Tommy Moro aim to lead the team effectively.
Fountain Valley
Coming off a tough 1-9 season, Fountain Valley is under new management with head coach Mitch Olson. With only five starters returning, the team is in a rebuilding phase, with a focus on enhancing their game strategy.
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach will see junior Jack Hurst take the helm as quarterback after serving as a backup previously. The team emphasizes improving their offensive line structure with many inexperienced players.
Northwood
Northwood has a new head coach, Erik Terry, and returns six defensive starters, providing some continuity. The team has high hopes for sophomore quarterback Dylan D’Epifanio as they build the roster for the upcoming challenges.
Orange
Lastly, the Orange team is looking to bounce back from a 2-8 season. Quarterback Star Thomas III, who had a remarkable freshman year with 2,182 passing yards and 17 touchdowns, leads the team, supported by a stronger lineup of receivers aiming for improvement.
As the new season approaches, the anticipation for competitive high school football in Orange County continues to grow, with each team uniquely poised to make their mark in the league.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Orange County Unveils Hot 150 High School Football Talent
Showcasing the Next Generation of High School Quarterbacks
Excessive Heat Watch Issued for Orange County
High School Football Season Begins in Southern California
Orange County Football Preview: Alpha League Competition
Additional Resources
- OC Register: Orange County Football Preview 2025 – Foxtrot League
- SGV Tribune: SGV Football Preview 2025
- OC Sports Zone: Key Dates for High School Football
- OC Register: Girls Flag Football – Orange Lutheran No. 1
- OC Register: OC Varsity Hot 150 – Top Impact Football Players
- Wikipedia: High School Football in the United States
- Google Search: Orange County High School Football
- Google Scholar: Orange County 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.
