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TRINITY LEAGUE PREVIEW
The Trinity League is a six-team league that includes JSerra, Mater Dei, Orange Lutheran, Santa Margarita, Servite and St. John Bosco.
JSERRA
What to expect: The Lions hired coach Hardy Nickerson after finishing 3-7 last season, including 0-5 in league. The former All-Pro linebacker has assembled an experienced coaching staff that features several former NFL players. Nickerson will call plays on offense. His offseason momentum includes attracting a strong freshmen class led by wide receiver/athlete Rhett Gabriel, the grandson of legendary Rams quarterback Roman Gabriel. JSerra returns one first-team all-league player in wide receiver Clark Cokley, who had 51 catches for 694 yards and eight TDs last season. The senior made third-team All-County and is committed to Georgetown. The Lions’ only other returning all-league player is second-team linebacker Dylan Fenn, a senior. The strength of the team appears to be the offensive line. Junior Lincoln Fa’alafi (6-8, 360), a transfer from Bishop Montgomery, is one of the best offensive linemen in the county. Senior offensive lineman Robert Schein (6-7, 290) is committed to Colorado State. On the defensive line, Godschoice Eboigbodin is committed to UCLA. The performance of the defense is an area to watch. JSerra allowed an average of 40.2 points per game last season and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015. Quarterback is another question for the Lions. At the Battle at the Beach passing tournament in July, the Lions featured senior Hayes Cloutier and sophomores Jonathan Urquhart and Jack Hilgenberg at QB. Cloutier, a former Santa Margarita player who arrived in the offseason from Texas, has been ruled eligible by the CIF-SS.
Mater Dei football players from left: Ezekiel Su’a, DJ Clanton, Danny Lang, Lex Mailangi, and Montana Toilolo at the Santa Ana high school campus on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei football player Ezekiel Su’a at the Santa Ana high school campus on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei football player DJ Clanton at the Santa Ana high school campus on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Tuesday, August 4, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei football player Montana Toilolo at the Santa Ana high school campus on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Tuesday, August 4, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei football player Danny Lang at the Santa Ana high school campus on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Tuesday, August 4, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei football player Lex Mailangi at the Santa Ana high school campus on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Tuesday, August 4, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei football players from left: Ezekiel Su’a, DJ Clanton, Danny Lang, Lex Mailangi, and Montana Toilolo at the Santa Ana high school campus on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei football players from left: Montana Toilolo, Ezekiel Su’a, Danny Lang, Lex Mailangi, and DJ Clanton at the Santa Ana high school campus on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei football players, from left, Ezekiel Su’a, DJ Clanton, Danny Lang, Lex Mailangi, and Montana Toilolo at the Santa Ana high school campus on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
MATER DEI
What to expect: The Monarchs are loaded on defense and have questions on offense after finishing 8-3 last season. They went 4-1 in league and shared the title with Santa Margarita and St. John Bosco. Mater Dei returns first-team all-league defenders in linemen Montana Toilolo (UCLA commit) and Matamatagi Uiagalelei (Washington), and linebacker Ezekiel Su’a. Five second-team all-league defenders return, including cornerback Danny Lang (USC commit) and leading tackler DJ Clanton, a linebacker who is committed to New Mexico. The Monarchs also are experienced on the offensive line, which will be anchored by two-time first-team All-County selection Lex Mailangi (Oregon commit). Sophomore Asir Nembhard is potentially an exciting running back. The uncertainty for coach Raul Lara’s squad is at quarterback and wide receiver. At the South County Classic passing tournament in mid-July, Lara said transfers Russell Sekona, a junior, and Cameron Pooley, a senior, will both play quarterback. Mater Dei doesn’t return a starting wide receiver. The team plans to use safety Ace Leutele and Clanton at wide receiver to help spark the offense.
ORANGE LUTHERAN
What to expect: Ray Fenton takes the coaching reins for a program in need of stability. The Lancers finished 3-9 in 2025. They forfeited two nonleague wins because of an ineligible player. They went 1-4 in the Trinity League before upsetting top-seeded St. John Bosco 20-19 in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs. Fenton’s son TJ will coordinate the offense while former Mater Dei defensive coordinator Eric Johnson will run the defense. The offense features several experienced skill players. Orange Lutheran returns all-league players in tackle Lucas Rhoa (Texas commit) and wide receivers Nico Bland (Arizona State) and Chris Flores Jr. Bland and Flores combined for 101 receptions for 1,380 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Quarterbacks Reagan Toki and Ezrah Brown will again both play. “We are really excited about both of them,” Ray Fenton said. The offense received two high-profile transfers late in the summer. Touted junior lineman Austin Attalah (6-7, 305) arrived from Cajon while UNLV-committed tight end Hudson Ploog (6-5, 234) came from Troy. The strength of the defense could be the secondary. The unit returns Chauncey Washington II, twins Anhor and King Johnson and Matthew Zapien. Anhor and Zapien were all-league selections in 2025 while Washington has emerged as one of the best defensive backs in Orange County. There is work ahead for the defensive front after the loss of Marcus Fakatou to Sierra Canyon. Damien transfer linebacker Iona Uiagalelei looks like an important addition.
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SANTA MARGARITA
What to expect: The defending CIF-SS Division 1 and CIF State Open Division champion is facing new challenges as it aims to remain a contender. The Eagles, second-year coach Carson Palmer said, are learning to embrace their new profile as a marked opponent. “We’re no longer the underdog,” the Heisman Trophy winner said. “We got a target on our back.” The defense faces a major rebuild with only two returning starters from a unit that allowed 35 points in the playoffs. The returners are USC-committed lineman Isaia Vandermade (eight sacks in three section playoff games) and cornerback Ca’ron Williams. Santa Margarita has shifted running back Jaion Smith and wide receiver Jake Martin to defense to fill needs. The Eagles will also lean on a strong freshman class, which includes linebacker Aydan Steen and edge Kaleb Herndon. The team’s strength appears to be on offense. Santa Margarita is well-balanced with the return of linemen Aaron Klatt, Adam Iloilo Jr. and Raymond Jacobs, tight end Luke Gazzaniga (Kansas commit), wide receivers Ryan Clark and Grant Mosley, and running back Adrian Petero. The biggest addition is Villa Park transfer Matthew Smith at quarterback. The Vanderbilt commit brings an excellent arm and playoff experience to the role.
SERVITE
What to expect: Former Servite assistant and alumnus Rick Garretson takes the coaching helm for the Friars, who finished 6-5 last season. Garretson, who guided Chandler of Arizona to the state’s Open Division titles in 2019 and 2020, said his son Darell will serve as Servite’s offensive coordinator and Chris Redfern will remain the defensive coordinator. The Friars’ strength on offense appears to be their line and speed. Second-team all-league selection Drew Fielder (USC commit) and Keiden Lokeni return to anchor the line. The offense also features speed from the school’s state champion track team. There’s wide receivers Benjamin Harris and Kamil Pelovello, and running back Jorden Wells. Harris, who is committed to Oregon State, led Servite with 39 catches for 457 yards and eight TDs last season. Quarterback Gino Wang, who is a transfer from JSerra, is a newcomer to watch. He completed 49 percent of his passes for 1,345 yards last season. On defense, linebacker will be the team’s strong suit. Linebackers Allen Kennett and Isaiah Leilua are two of the best in Orange County. Kennett led Servite with 69 tackles last season en route to first-team All-Trinity League honors. Safety Kaleb Aiava also plays the run well and leads the secondary. Junior Vincent Cernius is a defensive lineman to watch. Pelovello is also competing for a role in the secondary.
ST. JOHN BOSCO
What to expect: The Braves are No. 1 in multiple preseason national rankings, including MaxPreps and High School Football America. Their strength at wide receiver again stands out. Junior DJ Tubbs and sophomore Kuika Moaalii will be major weapons for junior QB Koa Malau’ulu, who will be a third-year starter. “Maybe the most talented group we’ve ever had,” St. John Bosco coach Jason Negro said of the receivers. On defense, the Braves’ senior leadership shows with players such as safety Isala Wily-Ava (Washington commit) and linebacker Josiah Poyer (USC).
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