ORANGE COUNTY FOOTBALL TOP 25 POLL
Notable this week: For the first time in a long time, Mater Dei is not No. 1 in the Orange County football poll. Mission Viejo is now in that spot. The Diablos defeated Santa Margarita, Santa Margarita defeated Centennial, and Centennial defeated Mater Dei on Friday. … Yorba Linda and San Juan Hills trade places in the rankings after San Juan Hills lost for the first time this season. … JSerra is back in the Top 10. … El Toro is at No. 21 after a big 56-14 win over then-No. 16 Trabuco Hills. … Laguna Beach is at No. 22 after a 36-15 win over then-No. 22 Tesoro.
1. Mission Viejo 4-0 (74 points)
The Diablos ascend to the top position in the rankings after a 34-24 road win over Lincoln, San Diego County’s top-ranked team. Two-time All-Orange County receiver Vance Spafford returned to action and had six catches for 75 yards and a touchdown. Jack Junker had six receptions, one for a touchdown, and Brady Bowman had 11 tackles and an interception. Mission Viejo travels to Tennessee this week to play McCallie (3-1).
Previous ranking: 2
2T. Mater Dei 2-1 (71)
The Monarchs committed seven turnovers and allowed 234 rushing yards in a 43-36 loss to Centennial of Corona. Their two wins were by three points each, over Hawaii’s Kahuku and Florida’s St. Thomas Aquinas. Mater Dei plays this week in Las Vegas against Bishop Gorman, which beat Kahuku 38-0.
Previous ranking 1
2T. Santa Margarita (3-1)
While his brother Trent Mosley continues to mend a foot injury, Eagles sophomore Grant Mosley continues to shine. He had seven receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown in a 44-14 road win over Oaks Christian. Santa Margarita has this week off before a home game against Bishop Gorman on Sept. 27.
Previous ranking: 3
4. Orange Lutheran 3-1 (66)
Nico Bland had seven receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown in a 35-14 win over Serra. Lancers quarterback Reagan Toki completed 20 of 23 passes for 227 yards. Orange Lutheran plays Sierra Canyon at Orange Coast College on Thursday.
Previous ranking: 4
5. Servite 3-1 (63)
Gavin Gutierrez rushed for 202 yards and a touchdown on 34 carries in the Friars’ 29-23 road win over Notre Dame in Sherman Oaks. Brando Mosqueda had eight solo tackles. Servite has this week off before playing St. Paul next week.
Previous ranking: 5
6. Los Alamitos 5-0 (60)
The Griffins continue to look like Mission Viejo’s top competition in the Alpha League after a 48-14 win over St. Paul last week. Lenny Ibarra rushed for 145 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries and had an interception. Los Alamitos has a home game Friday against Granite Hills of El Cajon.
Previous ranking: 6
7. Yorba Linda 4-0 (55)
The Mustangs’ defense collected six sacks in a 35-7 win over neighborhood rival Esperanza. Blake Thorp led the effort with two sacks. Thomas Knutson had eight tackles. Yorba Linda is home against Tustin on Friday.
Previous ranking: 8
8. San Juan Hills 3-1 (52)
The Stallions lost 34-26 in Texas to Rockwall-Heath, which has a rating of 54.3 at HSratings.com. That is the highest rating of a team on the San Juan Hills schedule. San Juan Hills quarterback Timmy Herr threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns. The Stallions play Friday at Mira Costa (3-0), which beat La Habra last week.
Previous ranking: 7
9. Edison 3-1 (50)
Blaise Burwell blocked a Palos Verdes field-goal attempt late in the game to help the Chargers get a 21-20 road win over Palos Verdes. Edison trailed 20-7 going into the fourth quarter. The Chargers play their annual Battle for the Bell game against Fountain Valley on Friday at Orange Coast College.
Previous ranking: 10
10. JSerra 2-2 (48)
The Lions return to the Top 10 after a 24-21 win over Oak Hills, JSerra’s second consecutive victory. Rocco Tompkins was in on 20 tackles, including seven solo tackles and a sack. JSerra is home against Leuzinger on Friday.
Previous ranking: 12
11. Crean Lutheran 4-0 (47)
Previous ranking: 11
12. Tustin 2-2 (44)
Previous ranking: 9
13. La Habra 3-1 (38)
Previous ranking: 13
14. San Clemente 2-2 (37)
Previous ranking: 14
15. Corona del Mar 4-0 (33)
Previous ranking: 15
16. Capistrano Valley 3-1 (30)
Previous ranking: 18
17. Dana Hills 4-0 (28)
Previous ranking: 19
18. Huntington Beach 3-1 (21)
Previous ranking: 17
19. Western 3-1 (18)
Previous ranking: 20
20. Villa Park 3-1 (15)
Previous ranking: 21
21. El Toro 2-1 (13)
Previous ranking: Not ranked
22. Laguna Beach 3-0 (12)
Previous ranking: Not ranked
23. Trabuco Hills 2-1 (10)
Previous ranking: 16
24. Tesoro 2-2 (9)
Previous ranking: 22
25. Aliso Niguel 2-1 (8)
Previous ranking: 24
Also receiving votes: Troy 3-1 (3)
About the poll: There are three reporters who vote each week in the Orange County poll.