ORANGE COUNTY FOOTBALL TOP 25 POLL

Notable this week: Mission Viejo’s 34-16 win over San Clemente in the Alpha League keeps the Diablos on top of the Orange County rankings at the start of Week 9. … The Diablos beat No. 2 Santa Margarita in the opening week of the season. … Crean Lutheran climbs one position, to No. 7, after a 56-21 win over La Habra in the Epsilon League. … Troy moves up to No. 22 after a 37-0 win over Canyon in the Iota League.

1. Mission Viejo 7-1 (75 points)

After a sloppy first half, the Diablos played like they normally do and defeated San Clemente 34-16 in their Alpha League opener. Luke Fahey passed for 378 yards and a touchdown. KJ Woodbury had eight receptions for 151 yards and a touchdown, and Jack Junker had eight receptions for 109 yards. JD Hill had 12 tackles including a sack. Mission Viejo plays Edison in a league game Friday at Huntington Beach High.

Previous ranking: 1

2. Santa Margarita 5-3 (72)

The Eagles lost 27-14 to St. John Bosco, which is ranked No. 1 in the nation. Receiver Trent Mosley was most effective running the ball, rushing for 94 yards and scored both touchdowns for the Eagles. He also had a 98-yard punt return. Santa Margarita plays Orange Lutheran on Friday at Orange Coast College.

Previous ranking: 2

Mater Dei's Gavin Honore (6) runs for yardage with Servite's Tristin Real (22) clinging on his back during a Trinity league football game between Servite and Mater Dei at Santa Ana Stadium Saturday Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei’s Gavin Honore (6) runs for yardage with Servite’s Tristin Real (22) clinging on his back during a Trinity league football game between Servite and Mater Dei at Santa Ana Stadium Saturday Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)

3. Mater Dei 5-2 (69)

Troy Bishop and CJ Lavender had interceptions that led to touchdowns for the Monarchs in a 29-19 Trinity League win over Servite. The Monarchs have a streak of 15 consecutive wins over Servite. Mater Dei’s Kennie Leggett rushed for two touchdowns. Mater Dei plays JSerra in a league game at Santa Ana Stadium on Friday.

Previous ranking: 3

4. Orange Lutheran 4-4 (66)

Freshman quarterback Ezrah Brown completed all 17 of his passes in a 63-23 win over JSerra in the Trinity League. Brown threw for 368 yards and three touchdowns and ran for a touchdown. Sean Morris rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Orange Lutheran plays Santa Margarita on Friday.

Previous ranking: 4

5. Servite 5-3 (63)

The Friars fell behind by 22 points early in a 29-19 loss to Mater Dei in a Trinity League game. They played without leading rusher Gavin Gutierrez, out because of injury. Judah Clark caught two touchdown passes from Kale Murphy. Servite plays at undefeated St. John Bosco on Friday.

Previous ranking: 5

6. Los Alamitos 8-0 (60)

Lenny Ibarra rushed for 210 yards and two touchdowns. including a 75-yard scoring run, in the Griffins’ 41-22 win over Edison in an Alpha League game. Ibarra also had six solo tackles. Los Alamitos rushed for 355 yards. The Griffins play at San Clemente on Friday in a league game.

Previous ranking: 6

7. Crean Lutheran 8-0 (56)

Caden Jones completed 19 of 22 passes for 322 yards and five touchdowns as the Saints beat La Habra 56-21 in the Epsilon League. Caleb Bey rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Crean (3-0 in league) plays at home Friday against Huntington Beach, which is also 3-0 in league.

Previous ranking: 8

8. JSerra 3-5 (54)

The Lions could not keep up with Orange Lutheran in a 63-23 loss. JSerra quarterback Gino Wang scored on a 71-yard run and Dylan Brown scored on an 80-yard pass. JSerra plays Mater Dei on Friday.

Previous ranking: 7

9. Corona del Mar 8-0 (51)

Dorsett Stecker had 75 rushing yards on seven carries including a touchdown and Alexander Nickin had two sacks as the Sea Kings improved to 3-0 in the Bravo League with a 21-3 win over Villa Park. Brady Annett threw a touchdown pass and ran for a touchdown. Corona del Mar plays at Tesoro in a league game Friday.

Previous ranking: 9

Tustin's, (2 ) Jeremiah Savant, foreground, escapes the tackle of El Modena's (4 ), Daniel Avila , far left. The game was held at Tustin High School in the city of Tustin on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025...(Photos by Karen Tapia, Contributing Photographer)
Tustin’s, (2 ) Jeremiah Savant, foreground, escapes the tackle of El Modena’s (4 ), Daniel Avila , far left. The game was held at Tustin High School in the city of Tustin on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025…(Photos by Karen Tapia, Contributing Photographer)

10. Tustin 6-2 (49)

Ayden Edwards completed 15 of 18 passes for 298 yards and four touchdowns in a 51-7 win over El Modena in the Delta League. Jeremiah Savant had 104 receiving yards on four receptions including two touchdowns. The Tillers play Western on Thursday in a league game at Tustin High.

Previous ranking: 9

11. San Juan Hills 6-2 (45)

Previous ranking: 11

12. San Clemente 4-4 (42)

Previous ranking: 12

13. Yorba Linda 6-2 (39)

Previous ranking: 13

14. Edison 5-3 (36)

Previous ranking: 14

15. Capistrano Valley 7-1 (32)

Previous ranking: 16

16. Huntington Beach 7-1 (30)

Previous ranking: 15

17T. Dana Hills 8-0 (26)

Previous ranking: 18

17T. La Habra 5-3 (26)

Previous ranking: 17

19. Laguna Beach 8-0 (19)

Previous ranking: 19

20T. El Modena 4-4 (13)

Previous ranking: 20

20T. Villa Park 4-4 (13)

Previous ranking: 20

22. Troy 7-1 (12)

Previous ranking: 23

23. Aliso Niguel 5-3 (11)

Previous ranking: 20

24. Western 5-3 (8)

Previous ranking: 25

25. Tesoro 3-5 (6)

Previous ranking: 23

Poll note: Three members of the media vote for the weekly Top 25.