It was a memorable first Friday night of 2026 high school football action as teams began the season with games throughout Southern California.
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Check out the Southern California News Group’s large collection of photos from the games.
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Mission Viejo wide receiver Luke Karby, right, reaches above Chaparral defensive back Jorden Dozier to make the touchdown catch in the second quarter in a nonleague football game in Mission Viejo on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
San Clemente wide receiver Ryan Matheson (4) catches the ball at the edge of the end zone, but can’t quite bring it down in bounds, during an Alpha league game against Tustin in San Clemente on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
San Clemente students cheer on the Tritons during the team’s season opener against Tustin in San Clemente on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chaparral’s Kingston Hunter, right, gets past Mission Viejo cornerback Jojo Reed to score a touchdown against Mission Viejo in a nonleague football game in Mission Viejo on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Notre Dame’s Judge Monroe (9) gets a hold of Crespi’s Chase Curren (13) during second quarter action at Crespi High on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Notre Dame’s Mica Weaver (4) pulled in this pass for a touch down as Crespi’s Rylan Jackson (7) defends on the play during first quarter action at Crespi High on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Palos Verdes receiver Jalen Flowers crosses goal line for TD against Serra in football game Friday August 21, 2026 at El Camino College (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
Tustin wide receiver Jeremiah Salvant (2), left, carries the ball, but gets called for a face mask against San Clemente Jaxson Rex (14), during an Alpha league game in San Clemente on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Notre Dame’s Nolen Washington (10) is brought down by Crespi’s Rylan Jackson (7) during first quarter action at Crespi High on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Serra’s Ikeem Crawford returns kick vs. Palos Verdes in football game Friday August 21, 2026 at El Camino College (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
San Clemente quarterback Preston Beck (11) throws the ball during the team’s season opener against Tustin in San Clemente on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mission Viejo wide receiver Luke Karby, left, beats Chaparral cornerback Kingston Hunter to make the catch and score a touchdown in the first quarter in a nonleague football game in Mission Viejo on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Serra back AJ McBean looks for space to run vs. Palos Verdes during football game Friday August 21, 2026 at El Camino College (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
Oaks Christian’s Xavier Burkett (2) fights to stay on his feet as Chaminade’s Ayann Hashmi (19) applies pressure during a game at Chaminade High School in West Hills on Friday, August 21, 2026.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Chaparral wide receiver Eli Woodard jumps over Mission Viejo defenders to gain big yardage in a nonleague football game in Mission Viejo on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Palos Verdes linebacker Weston Reis taunts Serra sideline after penalty during football game Friday August 21, 2026 at El Camino College (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
Serra QB Malik Tunai throws pass vs. Palos Verdes in football game Friday August 21, 2026 at El Camino College (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
Oaks Christian’s Niko Bladow (10) is sacked by Chaminade’s Brayden Helou (18) during a game at Chaminade High School in West Hills on Friday, August 21, 2026.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
San Clemente students cheer on the Tritons during the team’s season opener against Tustin in San Clemente on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Tustin quarterback Ayden Edwards (3) throws the ball during an Alpha league game against San Clemente in San Clemente on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Notre Dame’s Harlem Bullock (3) was unable get control of this pass in Crespi’s end zone as Crespi’s Oliver White (5) defends on the play during first quarter action at Crespi High on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Oaks Chritian’s Hayden Kennington (8) tries to bring down Chaminade’s Cameron Blackman (5) during a game at Chaminade High School in West Hills on Friday, August 21, 2026.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Serra back James Robinson shakes off Palos Verdes defender Travis Tomaro in football game Friday August 21, 2026 at El Camino College (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
Notre Dame’s Emmanuel Pullins (3) pulled in this pas for a touch down as Crespi’s Graham Henselmann (25) defends on the play in the end zone during first quarter action at Crespi High on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Serra QB Malik Tunai escapes tackle of Palos Verdes DB Forrest Mangham during football game Friday August 21, 2026 at El Camino College (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
Chaminade’s Shilo Beavers (20) is tackled by Oaks Christian’s Alifeleti Tuihalamaka (55) during a game at Chaminade High School in West Hills on Friday, August 21, 2026.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Tustin wide receiver Rufai Azeez (12) carries the ball during an Alpha league game against San Clemente in San Clemente on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Crespi’s QB Chase Curren (13) gJudge Monroe (9) gets chased out of bounds during second quarter action at Crespi High on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Oaks Christian’s Kaden Nesen (83) has his punt blocked by Chaminade’s Josiah Rand (11), resulting in a safety during a game Friday, August 21, 2026, at Chaminade High School in West Hills.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo wide receiver Luke Karby, left, celebrates with tight end Max Markofski after scoring a touchdown on a pass play against Chaparral in the first quarter in a nonleague football game in Mission Viejo on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Tustin quarterback Ayden Edwards (3) throws the ball during an Alpha league game against San Clemente in San Clemente on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Tustin quarterback Ayden Edwards (3) throws the ball during an Alpha league game against San Clemente in San Clemente on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
San Clemente quarterback Preston Beck (11) throws the ball during the team’s season opener against Tustin in San Clemente on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Notre Dame’s Nolen Washington (10) gets an opening for a gain during first quarter action at Crespi High on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Chaminade’s Jacoby Christian (23) tries to get past Oaks Christian’s MJ Watson (5) during a game at Chaminade High School in West Hills on Friday, August 21, 2026.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo wide receiver Luke Karby, right, reaches above Chaparral defensive back Jorden Dozier to make the touchdown catch in the second quarter in a nonleague football game in Mission Viejo on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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