ORANGE COUNTY FOOTBALL TOP 25 POLL
Notable this week: The results from the CIF Southern Section semifinals created a couple of minor changes this week in the Orange County poll. … Santa Margarita solidified its standing as the county’s No. 1 team with a dominant win, 31-6, over Orange Lutheran in the Division 1 semifinals. … Mater Dei, which lost by one point to Corona Centennial in the other Division 1 semifinal, stays at No. 2 and Mission Viejo is No. 3.
1. Santa Margarita 9-3 (75 points)
The Eagles rolled into the CIF-SS Division 1 championship game with a 31-6 win over Orange Lutheran. Santa Margarita receiver Trent Mosley scored his first two receiving touchdowns of the season to go with his seven rushing touchdowns. Isaia Vandermade had two of the Eagles’ five sacks. Santa Margarita, which beat previously undefeated Sierra Canyon 21-9 in the Division 1 first round, plays Centennial in the championship game Friday at 7 p.m. at the Rose Bowl. The Eagles beat Centennial in overtime 33-27 in August.
Previous ranking: 1
2. Mater Dei 8-3 (72)
The Monarchs lost to Centennial 28-27 in a Division 1 semifinal, their second loss to Centennial this season. Mater Dei had won the Division 1 championship in 2024 and ‘23. This season is the first since 2015 that the Monarchs are not in the championship game of the Southern Section’s top division.
Previous ranking: 3
3. Mission Viejo 9-2 (69)
The Diablos did not play last week. They lost to Mater Dei 20-0 in the Division 1 quarterfinals. It was Mission Viejo’s first shutout loss since 1995.
Previous ranking: 1
4. Servite 6-5 (65)
The Friars did not play last week. They lost to Division 1 finalist Centennial 41-6 in the Division 1 quarterfinals.
Previous ranking: 5
5. Orange Lutheran 3-8 (64)
The Lancers fell behind by three touchdowns in the first 13 minutes of the game and lost to Santa Margarita 31-6 in a Division 1 semifinal. Orange Lutheran advanced to the semifinals with a 20-19 win over St. John Bosco in the quarterfinals.
Previous ranking: 4
6. San Clemente 9-4 (60)
The Tritons beat Leuzinger 35-7 in a Division 2 semifinal to advance to the championship game. Sophomore quarterback Preston Beck threw for a career-high 270 yards and two touchdowns and Jaxson Rex returned an interception 96 yards for a touchdown. San Clemente will play at home Saturday against Los Alamitos in the championship game. San Clemente beat Los Alamitos 28-9 in an Alpha League game this season. The Tritons’ previous finals appearance was in 2016 when they also won a CIF State championship.
Previous ranking: 6
7. Los Alamitos 11-2 (57)
Los Alamitos beat Murrieta Valley 27-10 in a Division 2 semifinal by overcoming a 10-0 deficit. The Griffins rushed for 235 yards and got touchdown runs from running backs Lenny Ibarra and Kamden Tillis, and quarterback Colin Creason. Ibarra rushed for 98 yards on 16 carries. The Griffins play in the final Saturday at San Clemente, a team that beat Los Alamitos 28-9 in an Alpha League game on Oct. 24.
Previous ranking: 7
8. JSerra 3-7 (54)
The Lions did not qualify for the CIF-SS playoffs. JSerra is in its second week of interviews for a new head coach, with hopes of selecting the coach before winter break in December.
Previous ranking: 8
9. Tustin 8-3 (49)
The Tillers did not play last week, having been eliminated in the Division 2 first round by Rancho Cucamonga 45-8. Tustin went 5-0 in the Delta League to win the league championship.
Previous ranking: 9
10. Yorba Linda 9-2 (46)
The Mustangs did not play last week. Yorba Linda lost to Los Alamitos 35-28, in the Division 2 first round. The Mustangs won the Bravo League.
Previous ranking: 10
11. San Juan Hills 2-10 (44)
Previous ranking: 11
12. Corona del Mar 9-2 (43)
Previous ranking: 12
13. Crean Lutheran 10-1 (41)
Previous ranking: 13
14. Edison 7-6 (38)
Previous ranking: 14
15T. Capistrano Valley 8-3 (31)
Previous ranking: 15
15T. Huntington Beach 8-3 (31)
Previous ranking: 16
17. La Habra 10-3 (28)
Previous ranking: 17
18. Laguna Beach 9-2 (23)
Previous ranking: 18
19T. Dana Hills 10-2 (20)
Previous ranking: 19
19T. Villa Park 8-5 (20)
Previous ranking: 20
21. Troy 10-2 (13)
Previous ranking: 21
22. Aliso Niguel 8-4 (12)
Previous ranking: 23
23. El Modena 6-5 (10)
Previous ranking: 23
24. Western 6-5 (7)
Previous ranking: 24
25. Orange 6-5 (3)
Previous ranking: 25
