ORANGE COUNTY FOOTBALL TOP 25 POLL
Notable this week: Mission Viejo moves up a spot to No. 2 and JSerra rises two spots to No. 3. … Orange Lutheran slips to No. 4 after its loss to JSerra last week. … Undefeated teams San Juan Hills and Villa Park switch positions. … Undefeated Tustin continues its steady climb, reaching No. 12 this week. The Tillers were No. 22 in the first poll on Aug. 21.
1. Mater Dei 6-0 (75 points)
The Monarchs scored touchdowns on all seven of their possessions in a 49-0 win over Servite in the Trinity League opener for both teams. Quarterback Elijah Brown threw for 293 yards and five touchdowns, and the Monarchs defense held Servite to minus-21 yards rushing.
Previous ranking: 1
2. Mission Viejo 5-2 (71)
The Diablos, averaging 35 points a game, return to the second position in the rankings after a 34-0 win over Kamehameha of Honolulu. Sophomore receiver Vance Spafford had seven receptions for 102 yards and three touchdowns.
Previous ranking: 3
3. JSerra 4-2 (70)
The Lions won their Trinity League opener, 24-14, over Orange Lutheran. Their defense came up with several big plays, including linebacker Rocco Panicola’s interception that he returned for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Previous ranking: 5
4. Orange Lutheran 3-3 (63)
The Lancers have lost three in a row, including Friday’s 24-14 loss to JSerra. The losses have been to very good teams – Chandler of Arizona and Sierra Canyon, both 6-0, and 4-2 JSerra.
Previous ranking: 2
5T. Santa Margarita 4-2 (62)
The Eagles had a difficult time against St. John Bosco’s running game and defense in a 42-7 loss to the Braves. They play Orange Lutheran in another crucial Trinity League game Friday at Saddleback College.
Previous ranking: 5
5T. Servite 4-2 (62)
The Friars couldn’t do much on offense or defense in a 49-0 loss to Mater Dei. Sophomore linebacker Brando Mosqueda had seven solo tackles for Servite, which plays at St. John Bosco on Friday.
7. Los Alamitos 4-2 (59)
The Griffins easily won their Sunset League opener, 49-10 over Fountain Valley. They average 227 rushing yards a game. Los Alamitos plays Newport Harbor on Friday at Westminster High.
Previous ranking: 7
8. San Clemente 5-1 (54)
The Tritons did not play last week after taking their first loss, 39-38, against Murrieta Valley the previous week. They play at Ayala on Friday before their South Coast League opener Oct. 13 at Mission Viejo.
Previous ranking: 8
9. San Juan Hills 7-0 (50)
Colton Chase scored on a touchdown pass from Timmy Herr in the final seconds in a 27-24 nonleague win over Tesoro, the Stallions’ third win over a county Top 25 opponent. San Juan Hills does not play this week and opens Sea View League play at home Oct. 13 against El Toro.
Previous ranking: 10
10. Villa Park 6-0 (49)
The Spartans remained undefeated with a 35-7 nonleague win over El Dorado. They play a nonleague game against Esperanza this week before their Crestview League opener against Foothill on Oct. 12.
Previous ranking: 9
11. Edison 3-3 (44)
Previous ranking: 11
12.Tustin 6-0 (42)
Previous ranking: 13
13. Corona del Mar 3-3 (38)
Previous ranking: 12
14. Newport Harbor 3-3 (36)
Previous ranking: 14
15. Tesoro 3-3 (35)
Previous ranking: 15
16. Yorba Linda 4-2 (29)
Previous ranking: 16
17. Capistrano Valley 6-0 (24)
Previous ranking: 17
18. Western 5-1 (23)
Previous ranking: 18
19. Foothill 4-2 (20)
Previous ranking: 19
20. Cypress 3-3 (18)
Previous ranking: 19
21. El Modena 3-3 (15)
Previous ranking: 21
22. Trabuco Hills 4-2 (14)
Previous ranking: 22
23. La Habra 3-3 (12)
Previous ranking: 23
24. Laguna Hills 7-0 (7)
Previous ranking: 24
25. Crean Lutheran 5-1 (3)
Previous ranking: 25
Others receiving votes: None
