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Dan Albano’s insights and predictions entering the first week of the high school football season:
1. Is Santa Margarita your pick to win the CIF-SS Division 1 title this season?
No. The Eagles are among the top contenders but graduated too many starters from their stellar 2025 defense to repeat as the Division 1 champion. The graduation of top offensive playmaker Trent Mosley, now at USC, is another key loss.
Who is my pick to win Division 1? St. John Bosco. The Braves appear loaded and motivated after being upset by Orange Lutheran in the first round of the Division 1 playoffs last season. But get ready for a multi-team race in Division 1 to include Mater Dei by the postseason. If the report from Rivals is true that senior wide receiver Gavin Honore has returned to Mater Dei after spending the offseason at Bishop Gorman of Las Vegas, the Monarchs could emerge as the county’s best contender in Division 1.
2. Is there an Orange County player you think will dominate this season? Yes. Crean Lutheran quarterback Caden Jones. The senior, who is committed to Arizona, earned the No. 1 spot in the OCVarsity Hot 150 because I expect him to be the most dominant player in Orange County. Not only is he a returning first-team All-County selection, he will team with a strong group of wide receivers, including fellow University of Arizona commits Ty Johnson and Braylen Ross.
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3. What’s the Week 0 game that has your attention? Definitely, Tustin at San Clemente on Friday. It feels celebratory to open the Orange County season with an all-county matchup. Yes, San Clemente played last week in Hawaii — picking up a solid win — but that doesn’t take away the excitement of a matchup between two of the best public school programs in the county. What’s more, there’s a buzz that Tustin’s Bravo League might be stronger this fall than San Clemente’s Alpha League. This is one of the games that will help settle the debate.
4. Which county team missed the playoffs last year but will be much improved this season? Beware of Cypress. The Centurions dropped their final seven games last season, including a tough stretch in the Delta League, but generated strong reviews over the summer as a much-improved team. They feature a veteran coach in Rick Feldman and an intriguing mix of skill players and linemen. Cypress is ranked No. 25 in my preseason Orange County rankings and my pick to win the new-look Iota League.
Cypress’ season-opening game Thursday against Cerritos a sneaky-good game. Cerritos finished 9-3 last season.
5. Pick an Orange County player who you would want on your team if you were a coach. Tustin’s Jeremiah Williams would check all my boxes as a coach and be my selection. Games are won on defense and in the trenches, and the BYU committed defensive tackle excels in those areas. Games are also decided by senior leadership and physicality. Williams is an experienced senior who also plays a bruising fullback.
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