ORANGE COUNTY FOOTBALL TOP 25 POLL
Notable this week: One week after moving into a tie for No. 2, Mission Viejo drops one spot after a loss Saturday night on the East Coast. … San Juan Hills stayed hot and solidified its position as a Top 10 team with a solid 39-18 win over No. 21 El Modena. … Capistrano Valley (6-0) advances two places after a 23-12 win over Barstow. … Crean Lutheran replaces Huntington Beach as the county’s No. 25 team after beating Gahr 44-7.
1. Mater Dei 5-0 (75 points)
The nation’s No. 1-ranked team had a successful excursion east, defeating St. Frances Academy 20-7 in Baltimore, Md. Now comes the start of Trinity League play with a game Friday against Servite at Santa Ana Stadium.
Previous ranking: 1
2. Orange Lutheran 3-2 (72)
The Lancers did not play last week. Their last game was a 40-6 loss to undefeated Sierra Canyon. They have wins over Serra and De La Salle.
Previous ranking: 2
3. Mission Viejo 4-2 (69)
The Diablos lost 39-17 to a very good St. John’s team in Washington, D.C. Their other loss was to Long Beach Poly. Mission Viejo has a win over Los Alamitos.
Previous ranking: 2
4. Servite 4-1 (64)
Maybe the surprise team so far in 2023, the Friars last week defeated St. Paul 34-13 behind another fine game from quarterback Leo Hannan. Their loss was by three points to undefeated Rancho Cucamonga. Servite also beat Los Alamitos.
Previous ranking: 4
5. JSerra 3-2 (63)
The Lions did not play last week. Their last game was a 23-7 road loss to undefeated Clovis North. JSerra’s other loss was by two points to undefeated Sierra Canyon.
Previous ranking: 5
6. Santa Margarita 4-1 (60)
The Eagles did not play last week. They have won three in a row since a loss to Centennial. Santa Margarita starts Trinity League play Friday against St. John Bosco at Saddleback College.
Previous ranking: 7
7. Los Alamitos 3-2 (59)
The Griffins did not play last week. Their last two games were close losses to highly-ranked Servite and Mission Viejo. Los Alamitos plays its Sunset League opener Thursday against Fountain Valley at Huntington Beach High.
Previous ranking: 6
8. San Clemente 5-1 (54)
The Tritons took their first defeat last week, a 39-38 loss to Murrieta Valley. Aiden Rubin had another big game for San Clemente, rushing for 252 yards and four touchdowns. The Tritons, who do not play this week, have wins over Corona del Mar and Edison.
Previous ranking: 8
9. Villa Park 5-0 (51)
The Spartans beat Mira Costa 28-13 last week as quarterback Nate Lewis completed 7 of 11 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns. Their most impressive win was a 35-23 victory over Upland, which is Upland’s only loss. Villa Park plays El Dorado on Thursday at Valencia High.
Previous ranking: 9
10. San Juan Hills 6-0 (48)
The Stallions scored early and often in their 39-18 win over El Modena. Sullivan Land rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns for San Juan Hills, which has won 10 of its past 11 games going back to the second half of last season. The Stallion have a good challenge this week, playing a home game against Tesoro on Friday.
Previous ranking: 10
11. Edison 2-4 (44)
Previous ranking: 11
12. Corona del Mar 3-2 (43)
Previous ranking:12
13. Tustin 5-0 (39)
Previous ranking: 13
14. Newport Harbor 2-3 (37)
Previous ranking:14
15. Tesoro 3-2 (33)
Previous ranking: 15
16. Yorba Linda 3-2 (29)
Previous ranking: 16
17. Capistrano Valley 6-0 (25)
Previous ranking: 19
18. Western 4-1 (23)
Previous ranking: 17
19. Cypress 2-3 (18)
Previous banking: 18
(tie) Foothill 3-2 (18)
Previous ranking: 21
21. El Modena 2-3 (17)
Previous ranking: 19
22. Trabuco Hills 3-2 (13)
Previous ranking: 23
23. La Habra 2-3 (12)
Previous ranking: 22
24. Laguna Hills 6-0 (7)
Previous ranking: 23
25. Crean Lutheran 4-1 (2)
Previous ranking: Not ranked
Also receiving votes: Huntington Beach 3-2 (1)
