ORANGE COUNTY FOOTBALL TOP 25 POLL
Notable this week: Mater Dei stays at No. 1 after a defense-led win over Kahuku in Hawaii. … Five of the top six places in the poll are occupied by Trinity League teams, with Mission Viejo the lone public-school team in the mix. … Edison returns to the Top 10 as part of a three-way tie with San Juan Hills and Tustin. … Troy lost by one point to No. 22 Foothill, but was impressive enough to get the Warriors into the Top 25 for the first time this season.
1. Mater Dei 3-0 (75 points)
Mater Dei enjoyed a pleasant holiday in Hawaii. The Monarchs defense that scored three touchdowns, one each by linebacker Abduall Sanders, defensive tackle Tomu Topui and defensive back Aaryn Washington, in a 38-7 win over Kahuku. They play at home Friday against national No. 22 St. Frances of Baltimore, Md.
Previous ranking: 1
2. Mission Viejo 4-0 (72)
Draiden Trudeau passed for two touchdowns and the Diablos’ other quarterback Luke Fahey passed for a touchdown and ran for a TD in a 63-6 win over Highland. The Diablos’ average margin of victory is 41 points. They get a good test this week, at home game against Arizona power Basha.
Previous ranking: 2
3. JSerra 4-0 (69)
The Lions took the 5 South to San Diego to beat the CIF San Diego Section’s No. 1 team Lincoln 28-19. JSerra quarterback Ryan Hopkins threw two touchdown passes and scored on runs of 61 and 34 yards. The Lions have another challenging road game Friday when they play at Damien of La Verne.
Previous ranking: 3
4. Orange Lutheran 3-1 (66)
The Lancers lost to Bishop Gorman 55-28 in Las Vegas. Orange Lutheran’s Chris Flores had two touchdown receptions and threw a touchdown pass. The Lancers play another standout opponent Saturday when they play at Sierra Canyon.
Previous ranking: 4
5. Santa Margarita 3-1 (63)
Eagles quarterback John Gazzaniga had a fine game, completing 15 of 22 passes for 313 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-17 win over Oaks Christian. Santa Margarita plays at Leuzinger on Friday.
Previous ranking: 5
6. Servite 4-0 (60)
Quaid Carr rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns and Tomas Cernius had two sacks in a 38-17 win over Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks. The Friars have a bye this week before playing old Angelus League rival St. Paul on Sept. 27.
Previous ranking: 6
7. Los Alamitos 3-1 (57)
The Griffins cruised to a 38-13 win over St. Paul. Jerod Terry rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown and had four receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown.
Previous ranking: 7
8. San Clemente 2-2 (54)
The Tritons defense was outstanding and Colin Kohl ran for three touchdowns in a 28-0 win over Corona del Mar. Patrick Norman had six solo tackles and Max Bollard, Mason Evans and Riley Kelley had interceptions for San Clemente.
Previous ranking: 8
9. Yorba Linda 4-0 (48)
The Mustangs won in dramatic fashion again in a 29-28 win over Charter Oak. With 11 seconds remaining Cole Nerio scored on a short run and Vaughn Sharp ran it in for the 2-point conversion to supply the winning points.
Previous ranking: 10
10T. Edison 2-2 (46)
After back-to-back one-point losses to open the season, the Chargers have won two in a row, including last week’s 41-7 win over Palos Verdes in which Julius Gillick rushed for 216 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. Edison plays its traditional “Battle for the Bell” game against Fountain Valley on Friday at Orange Coast College.
Previous ranking: 12
10T. San Juan Hills 3-1 (46)
The Stallions defense forced three turnovers in a 23-9 win over Crean Lutheran. Gavin Blum had three tackles for loss including a sack for San Juan Hills.
Previous ranking: 11
10T. Tustin 4-0 (46)
Freshman quarterback Ayden Edwards threw three touchdown passes, two to Montrevian Cushionberry, and the other to Trey Brown in a 33-14 win over Fountain Valley. The Tillers play at home Saturday against Yorba Linda.
Previous ranking: 8
13. Villa Park 3-1 (39)
Previous ranking: 13
14. Corona del Mar 2-2 (34)
Previous ranking: 13
15T. Crean Lutheran 3-1 (30)
Previous ranking: 15
15T. El Modena 4-0 (30)
Previous ranking: 16
17. La Habra 3-1 (28)
Previous ranking: 16
18. Tesoro 2-2 (27)
Previous ranking: 18
19. Trabuco Hills 3-0 (22)
Previous ranking: 19
20. Huntington Beach 2-2 (18)
Previous ranking: 20
21. Capistrano Valley 3-1 (16)
Previous ranking: 21
22. Foothill 3-1 (12)
Previous ranking: 22
23. Laguna Beach 4-0 (9)
Previous ranking: 23
24. Aliso Niguel 3-1 (4)
Previous ranking: 24
25. Troy 3-1 (3)
Previous ranking: Not ranked
Also receiving votes: Cypress 2-2 (1); Dana Hills 4-0 (1)
