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1. Is Santa Margarita better than you believed?
Yes. The Eagles look sharper than expected mostly because their defense — a strength last season — has reloaded so quickly.
The reigning CIF-SS Division 1 and CIF State Open Division champion graduated nine starters on defense but impressed once again in a 21-20 win at Centennial.
While highly-regarded, I wasn’t sure how Santa Margarita’s top-four freshmen would play once the pads came on. All four have played beyond their years. Linebacker Aydan Steen, one of three freshman playing on defense, leads the unit in tackles (17) and sacks (four).
Meanwhile, senior linebacker Cruz Nunez, a transfer from JSerra, and sophomore defensive lineman Kingston Jimmerson have progressed considerably.
👀 Tonight was coming out party for #99 @KingJimmerson, Santa Margarita super-soph DL was dominant v Centennial w/ 3 TFL @SMCHS_Football @SMCHSEagles pic.twitter.com/E0Uaa9EGt3
— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) August 29, 2026
Under the direction of defensive coordinator Steve Fifita, the Eagles’ front-seven can pressure quarterbacks into mistakes and stop the run.
Just imagine if linebacker Allen Kennett and safety Pole Moala were still at Santa Margarita.
It’s going to take a special offensive performance — starting in the trenches — to deal with the Eagles’ defense.
Santa Margarita’s offense wasn’t too explosive on Friday but ran the ball well and didn’t commit any turnovers. The return of wide receiver Grant Mosley will certainly help stretch the field.
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2. What result was the most surprising?
Yorba Linda defeating Long Beach Poly 30-13 in the final game at Veterans Stadium before its reconstruction.
The Mustangs returned to the scene of their first-round playoff loss to Los Alamitos last season and handled the Jackrabbits.
Yorba Linda continued its hot start under first-year coach John Domen, a long-time assistant under coach Jeff Bailey.
The Mustangs not only lost Bailey to Beverly Hills in the offseason but graduated several established players and saw wide receiver Troy Roberts transfer to Crean Lutheran. But a big part of Yorba Linda’s success remains in running backs Aiden Gutierrez and Isaiah Trujillo. The duo caused problems for Long Beach Poly.
3. What 2-0 team is the most unexpected?
El Toro. When prolific passer Wyatt Nucci transferred during the summer to Mira Costa, the Chargers had questions at quarterback. But through the first two games, Crean Lutheran transfer Jaxson Algaze has provided the answer.
The sophomore has passed for 552 yards and eight touchdowns in victories against Tesoro and Marina.
With Algaze’s emergence and connection with several returning receivers, El Toro has impressed enough to earn my vote for No. 25 in the Orange County rankings this week.
4. What player had the most eye-popping performance?
Orange Lutheran quarterback Ezrah Brown. The sophomore completed 18 of 19 passes for 253 yards and two TDs in a 38-34 victory at Cathedral Catholic, San Diego’s top-ranked team.
Brown showed his accuracy at times last season but this was a major step forward against the reigning CIF SoCal Division 1AA champion.
Read more Orange County football Top 25: Yorba Linda moves into Top 10