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OCVarsity’s Dan Albano reacts to Week 9 of the high school football season:
1. What score was the most surprising?
San Juan Hills 16, San Clemente 0.
The Stallions, ranked No. 12 in Orange County last week, handed the No. 4 Tritons their first shutout since a 45-0 loss to Mission Viejo in 2021.
Yes, there were questions about San Clemente quarterback Preston Beck before the game and the junior didn’t play. The Tritons’ Ryan Matheson or Darion Ranuga, the team’s leading wide receiver and running back entering Week 9, also didn’t show up in the box score.
San Juan Hills played without quarterback Eiler King (pinkie) but found enough production in all three phases to extend its winning streak to seven games.
Luke Frith, Cooper Chila, Maxwell Porter, Cooper Hladek and Noah Howell all recorded seven tackles to lead the Stallions’ defense.
Cornerback Arthur Tuverson returned an interception 52 yards for a touchdown on a slick read and switch on coverage with Frith.
With the upset and the Norte fire wiping out the Mission Viejo-San Clemente game, the surprising game for the Alpha League title is Friday between the Stallions and host Diablos.
Who saw that coming a few weeks ago?
Game sealing Pick-6 against #11 in CA San Clemente. Proud of our team as we are now 8-1 and ranked 14th in CA.
Stats through 9 games:
-3 INT (2 Pick 6)
-8 Passes deflected
-2 tackles for loss
-31 TOT pic.twitter.com/2FI128hgBKRead more Voters in Israel are deciding whether to oust Netanyahu after 3 years of war
— Arthur Tuverson (@ArthurTuverson) October 26, 2026
2. Which first-place team is the most unexpected?
University. The Trojans (6-3, 4-0) are tied atop the Omicron League after defeating Buena Park 34-13.
University plays host to Los Amigos (8-1, 4-0) on Friday in the biggest game for the Irvine Unified school in years.
University has qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2015, ending the longest active postseason drought in the county.
3. What player delivered the most eye-popping performance in Week 9?
Easy. Asir Nembhard. The Mater Dei sophomore running back rushed for a single-game, school-record 339 yards on 22 carries in a wild 52-38 win against Orange Lutheran after an hour and 39-minute delay because of lightning.
Track meet @AsirNembhard 62yd to 🏡21-17 OLu 1:10 left in half pic.twitter.com/iTR5CKfOmC
— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) October 24, 2026
Nembhard broke the 1996 record of former Mater Dei standout Mike McNair, who rushed for 324 yards on 27 carries in a 35-7 win at Trabuco Hills.
In the late 1990s, McNair’s production was often compared to DeShaun Foster (Tustin) and Mike Jones (Laguna Hills). In 1997, all three rushed for well over 2,500 yards in one of the greatest seasons for county running backs.
For Nembhard to break a record held by McNair is a major accomplishment.
His performance was so impressive, it added another storyline to watch Friday when the Monarchs play host to St. John Bosco in another key Trinity League game at Santa Ana Stadium.
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