Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now
Tackling some of the hot topics in Orange County football heading into Week 9:
1. Will Orange Lutheran’s two forfeits affect its chances of making the playoffs?
Not likely. If the Lancers (2-6, 1-2) don’t finish in the top-three of the Trinity League to earn an automatic playoff berth, they still seem headed to Division 1 as an at-large team.
Even if Orange Lutheran drops its final two games (Santa Margarita and Servite) to finish 2-8, its power rating with HSratings seems likely to remain high enough to be selected as an at-large team.
Orange Lutheran is ranked seventh in Division 1 and the power ratings on HSratings don’t penalize teams for forfeits.
“Forfeits never affect ratings in any way,” HSratings states on its website.
In Division 1, which is usually smaller than the other divisions, a .500 overall record isn’t necessarily needed to secure an at-large bid.
Santa Margarita received an at-large berth last season in a 10-team Division 1 with a 4-6 record.
2. Could Los Alamitos end up in Division 1?
If the Griffins run the table and capture the Alpha League, perhaps.
Los Alamitos (8-0, 1-0) plays at San Clemente (4-4, 0-1) in the Alpha League on Friday and closes by playing host to Mission Viejo (7-1, 1-0) on Oct. 30.
Assuming Division 1 is an eight-team bracket this season, the Griffins appear to be rated No. 2 in Division 2 behind Murrieta Valley with a 52.7 power rating.
That’s a long way from No. 8 Servite at 65.1 but two more wins by Los Alamitos could tighten the gap.
When asked about potential playoff divisions last week, Los Alamitos coach Ray Fenton smiled and said, “We got San Clemente (next). That’s what we’re working on.”
3. Will JSerra make the Division 2 playoffs as an at-large team?
The Lions (3-5, 0-3) appear in the mix.
Even in JSerra finishes 3-7, its power rating on HSratings could be high enough to claim an at-large spot in Division 2.
JSerra appears to be ranked fourth in the Division 2 and could join Vista Murrieta (6-2) and San Clemente (4-4) in a group of at-larges.
One team to watch to Serra of Gardena. The Cavaliers are 3-5 and could climb with a strong finish.
4. Could Dana Hills land in Division 2 with a victory against Laguna Beach on Friday?
The Dolphins (8-0) are interesting to watch for several reasons.
Not only have they improved dramatically under coach Tony Henney, they appear to be around No. 1 in Division 3 entering its Foxtrot League showdown against visiting Laguna Beach (8-0).
Dana Hills owns a power rating of 39.6, just behind potential Division 2 No. 16 Chaminade at 41.0.
Last season, Dana Hills reached the semifinals in Division 6.
The Dolphins also seem set to rise in their O.C. league placement. The latest projections for 2026-27 place the school in the Bravo League, the second strongest league in the county.
5. How much does Crean Lutheran appear to be rising?
Keep an eye on the Saints (8-0, 3-0) as they play host to Huntington Beach (7-1, 3-0) on Friday in the Epsilon League.
Crean Lutheran appears to be seventh in Division 2 and would be headed to the new, six-team Alpha League if the season ended today.
Last season, Crean Lutheran reached the Division 3 quarterfinals.