A preview and prediction for each of the top football games in Orange County this week. The teams are listed by their ranking in the Orange County Top 25.
GAME OF THE WEEK
NO. 4 SANTA MARGARITA (0-0) VS. NO. 3 MISSION VIEJO (1-0)
Where, when: Mission Viejo HS, Saturday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: This is the first Eagles-Diablos football game since 2019 when Mission Viejo defeated Santa Margarita 21-10. Mission Viejo is 5-2 against the Eagles on the field; a Mission Viejo win over Santa Margarita in 2018 turned into a Santa Margarita forfeit win. Mission Viejo is No. 28 in MaxPreps’ national rankings and Santa Margarita is No. 38. The Diablos, who were CIF Southern Section and CIF State champions last season, played their opener in Hawaii last week and defeated Kamehameha of Honolulu 41-7. Senior quarterback Draiden Trudeau passed for 172 yards and threw two touchdown passes to junior Vance Spafford, who had 102 receiving yards. Junior safety Ryder Brown returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown. Santa Margarita (5-6 last season) has the most dynamic playmaker in Orange County football, junior receiver Trent Mosley. Last season Mosley had 81 receptions for 1,282 yards and 11 touchdowns, scored 15 rushing touchdowns and was a Trinity League co-MVP. Mission Viejo has a few advantages in this one. The Diablos have played a game, they are at home where they were 8-1 last season and they have cornerback Dijon Lee Jr., who looks like he has what it takes to neutralize Mosley.
Winner: Mission Viejo
CENTENNIAL (0-0) VS. NO. 1 MATER DEI (0-0)
Where, when: Santa Ana Stadium, Thursday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: People say things like “It’s the start of the (insert name here) Era.” This is the first Mater Dei football game with Raul Lara as Monarchs coach. The previous “era” lasted for one season, although the Monarchs went 13-1 and won CIF-SS and state championships in 2023 under Frank McManus, who was let go in April. Lara won some CIF-SS championships at Long Beach Poly. He inherits a terrific team that includes 2023 Orange County defensive player of the year Nasir Wyatt at linebacker, a deep and talented defensive backfield and the usual huge offensive line. This will be the Mater Dei debut for senior quarterback Dash Beierly (6-1, 215), a transfer from Chaparral, and junior receiver Chris Henry (6-5, 200), who moved into the area from Ohio. The Calpreps.com state ratings have Mater Dei at No. 1 and Corona Centennial at No. 2. Centennial’s outstanding senior quarterback, Husan Longstreet, might not play against Mater Dei because of a foot injury. Even if Longstreet plays, this Mater Dei team is capable of extending its era of CIF championships.
Winner: Mater Dei
NO. 3 ORANGE LUTHERAN (0-0) VS. SERRA (0-0)
Where, when: Serra High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Orange Lutheran has senior quarterback TJ Lateef, who will have a great year if he stays healthy. A shoulder injury set him aside briefly last season. But the Lancers’ chief strength could be their defense where they have linemen Auma Jennings, Jireh Moe and Keelan Tagoa’i and defensive back Benjamin Alefaio. That unit will have to shine again for Orange Lutheran to beat the Cavaliers, whose defense includes junior edge rusher Khary Wilder, who had 14 sacks last season. The Calpreps state rankings have Orange Lutheran at No. 8 and Gardena Serra at No. 16. The Cavaliers went 9-4 last season and lost to Servite in the CIF-SS Division 2 semifinals. A top returnee for Serra is senior quarterback Jimmy Butler, who threw for 2,088 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2023. Orange Lutheran’s defensive front must make Butler uncomfortable, and the Lancers certainly have the personnel to make that happen.
Winner: Orange Lutheran
Orange Lutheran football players, from left, Jireh Moe, TJ Lateef, Aaron Ia and Cole Principe. Photographed on Friday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
SIERRA CANYON (1-0) VS. NO. 5 JSERRA (0-0)
Where, when: JSerra High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Sierra Canyon was 11-0 last year when it lost to Mater Dei in the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals. Sierra Canyon opened its season last week in Hawaii with a 30-7 victory over Punahou. Ssenior quarterback Wyatt Becker threw for 217 yards and a touchdown and senior running back Dane Dunn rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. JSerra junior quarterback Ryan Hopkins makes his varsity debut in this game. Hopkins will be supported by a superb offensive line led by senior tackle Jake Flores. But this sure is a tough opponent — the Trailblazers are No. 4 in the Calpreps state rankings — for a quarterback making his first start. JSerra, which is No. 8 in those state rankings, is going to be very good and will be better as the season progresses. But this could be a rocky start for the Lions. Sierra Canyon gathered game experience last week and has an abundance of team speed, especially where it counts most — on defense.
Winner: Sierra Canyon
NO. 19 WESTERN (0-0) VS. NO. 8 LOS ALAMITOS (0-0)
Where, when: Los Alamitos High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Los Alamitos clobbered Western 63-25 last season at Western High in Week 0, the only week that Handel Stadium’s field was in acceptable condition. Several of Los Alamitos’ stars of that game graduated or transferred out. The Griffins still have quarterback Alonzo Esparza, who was All-County first team last year as a junior. Junior running back Jerod Terry and junior receiver Ja’myron Baker are likely to be big contributors. Western has a new quarterback, sophomore Chance Thomas, and a large and experienced offensive line led by senior Joel Perez (6-4, 315). Los Alamitos won’t win by the margin of last year’s game, because Los Alamitos might not be as good as it was last year and the Pioneers might be better than last year, but the Griffins will win it.
Winner: Los Alamitos
Fryer on Football last season: 38-17
Orange County football schedule: Week 0 games, Aug. 22-24
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