ORANGE COUNTY FOOTBALL TOP 25 POLL
Notable this week: Orange Lutheran leapfrogs Mission Viejo for the No. 3 spot in the rankings. The Lancers beat Arizona’s No. 1-ranked team, Basha of Chandler, 23-17. … Mission Viejo lost to Folsom, 35-21, in Folsom. Folsom is No. 6 in the California rankings by HSratings.com. … JSerra climbs to No. 5 in the Top 25 after beating Crean Lutheran, 37-29.
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1. Santa Margarita 3-0 (75 points)
The Eagles rolled to a 55-7 win over Highland of Palmdale. Fletch Palmer threw two touchdown passes in the victory. Santa Margarita, No. 1 in HSratings.com’s state rankings, plays Inkerkum of Sacramento on Saturday at 8 p.m. at San Juan Hills. The game is part of a four-game event at San Juan Hills High.
Previous ranking: 1
2. Mater Dei 2-0 (72)
Cameron Pooley threw two touchdown passes and another Monarchs quarterback, Russell Sekona, ran for a team-high 89 yards and a touchdown in a 38-22 win at home over Valor Christian of Colorado. Gavin Honore had two touchdown receptions for Mater Dei. The Monarchs get a big test this week. They play Corona Centennial, ranked No. 3 in the state by HSratings.com, Friday at Santa Ana Stadium.
Previous ranking: 2
3. Orange Lutheran 2-1 (69)
The Lancers figured out they could run the ball against Basha, Arizona’s No. 1-ranked team, and did so effectively in their 23-17 win. Ryan Christianson rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries. King Rich Johnson returned an interception for a touchdown, his second interception return for a touchdown this season. Orange Lutheran plays at Serra (2-1) of Gardena on Friday.
Previous ranking: 4
4. Mission Viejo 2-1 (66)
The Diablos traveled last week to Central California where they lost to Folsom, 35-21. Folsom is No. 6 in HSratings’ state rankings; Mission Viejo is ranked No. 8. Mission Viejo fell behind twice by 21 points. Carson Vandemade rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Receiver Luke Karby had four catches for 77 yards. Mission Viejo is home against San Diego’s Lincoln (1-2) on Friday.
Previous ranking: 3
5. JSerra 2-1 (61)
It’s too early to place the “signature win” tag on any Trinity League team. For a potentially rising program like JSerra, though, the Lions’ 37-29 win last week over Crean Lutheran is an attention-grabber. JSerra’s Will Fredricksen rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. Lions quarterback Hayes Cloutier threw two touchdown passes and ran for another. Clark Cokley had eight receptions for 77 yards.
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Previous ranking: 9
6. Servite 1-2 (59)
The Friars lost to Centennial of Arizona, 22-14, at La Mirada High. Servite struggled to get its passing game untracked. The Friars’ running attack was fine. Speedster Jorden Wells rushed for 158 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. Wells also returned a punt 78 yards for a touchdown. Servite plays St. Paul (1-2) on Friday at Orange Coast College.
Previous ranking: 5
7. Crean Lutheran 3-1 (56)
The Saints lost to JSerra, 37-29. Crean quarterback Caden Jones had another good game, completing 19 of 26 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns. Braylen Ross caught nine of those passes for 126 yards. Saints running back Caleb Bey made his 2026 debut and rushed for two touchdowns. Crean plays at home Friday against Northern California’s Oak Ridge (1-1).
Previous ranking: 6
8. Corona del Mar 3-0 (53)
The Sea Kings beat Edison, 27-7. It was Corona del Mar’s first win over the Chargers since 2019. Corona del Mar receiver/linebacker Nolan Scott had a sack and an interception and a dramatic, tackle-busting reception that set up a touchdown. JJ Haley had six receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown. The Sea Kings play longtime rival Newport Harbor on Thursday at Newport Harbor High.
Previous ranking: 8
9T. San Clemente 3-0 (46)
The Tritons hit the road last week and beat Chaparral in Temecula, 32-20. Quarterback Preston Beck completed 19 of 21 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown. Ryan Matheson and Jaxson Rex had seven receptions each. Jackson Branch had six solo tackles as the Tritons recorded seven sacks. San Clemente plays another away game Friday against La Costa Canyon (2-1).
Previous ranking: 6
9T. Yorba Linda 3-0 (46)
The Mustangs shut out El Dorado, 27-0. Noah Trujillo threw three touchdown passes. His younger brother Isaiah Trujillo rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Yorba Linda plays neighborhood rival Esperanza on Friday at Yorba Linda High.
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Previous ranking: 10
11. Tustin 2-1 (43)
Previous ranking: 13
12. Huntington Beach 3-0 (42)
Previous ranking: 12
13. La Habra 3-0 (37)
Previous ranking: 14
14. Villa Park 3-0 (34)
Previous ranking: 17
15. Edison 1-2 (32)
Previous ranking: 11
16. San Juan Hills 2-1 (30)
Previous ranking: 15
17. Dana Hills 3-0 (18)
Previous ranking: 18
18. Capistrano Valley 3-0 (21)
Previous ranking: 16
19. Orange 3-0 (20)
Previous ranking: 19
20. Los Alamitos 0-3 (18)
Previous ranking: 20
21. Laguna Beach 1-2 (15)
Previous ranking: 21
22. El Modena 2-0 (9)
Previous ranking: 23
23T. Cypress 3-0 (8)
Previous ranking: 24
23T. El Toro 3-0 (8)
Previous ranking: 25
25. Newport Harbor 2-1 (4)
Previous ranking: Not ranked
Also receiving votes: Trabuco Hills 2-1 (2).