Orange County football Top 25: Mission Viejo, JSerra, Tustin move up in Week 7 poll

ORANGE COUNTY FOOTBALL TOP 25 POLL

Notable this week: Mission Viejo moves up a spot to No. 2 and JSerra rises two spots to No. 3. … Orange Lutheran slips to No. 4 after its loss to JSerra last week. … Undefeated teams San Juan Hills and Villa Park switch positions. … Undefeated Tustin continues its steady climb, reaching No. 12 this week. The Tillers were No. 22 in the first poll on Aug. 21.

1. Mater Dei 6-0 (75 points)

The Monarchs scored touchdowns on all seven of their possessions in a 49-0 win over Servite in the Trinity League opener for both teams. Quarterback Elijah Brown threw for 293 yards and five touchdowns, and the Monarchs defense held Servite to minus-21 yards rushing.

Previous ranking: 1

2. Mission Viejo 5-2 (71)

The Diablos, averaging 35 points a game, return to the second position in the rankings after a 34-0 win over Kamehameha of Honolulu. Sophomore receiver Vance Spafford had seven receptions for 102 yards and three touchdowns.

Previous ranking: 3

3. JSerra 4-2 (70)

The Lions won their Trinity League opener, 24-14, over Orange Lutheran. Their defense came up with several big plays, including linebacker Rocco Panicola’s interception that he returned for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Previous ranking: 5

4. Orange Lutheran 3-3 (63)

The Lancers have lost three in a row, including Friday’s 24-14 loss to JSerra. The losses have been to very good teams – Chandler of Arizona and Sierra Canyon, both 6-0, and 4-2 JSerra.

Previous ranking: 2

Orange Lutheran’s Steve Chavez, right, rambles for more yards against the defense of JSerra High in the game between Orange Lutheran vs. JSerra in a Trinity League football game at JSerra in San Juan Capistrano, on Friday, September 29, 2023.. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

5T. Santa Margarita 4-2 (62)

The Eagles had a difficult time against St. John Bosco’s running game and defense in a 42-7 loss to the Braves. They play Orange Lutheran in another crucial Trinity League game Friday at Saddleback College.

Previous ranking: 5

5T. Servite 4-2 (62)

The Friars couldn’t do much on offense or defense in a 49-0 loss to Mater Dei. Sophomore linebacker Brando Mosqueda had seven solo tackles for Servite, which plays at St. John Bosco on Friday.

7. Los Alamitos 4-2 (59)

The Griffins easily won their Sunset League opener, 49-10 over Fountain Valley. They average 227 rushing yards a game. Los Alamitos plays Newport Harbor on Friday at Westminster High.

Previous ranking: 7

8. San Clemente 5-1 (54)

The Tritons did not play last week after taking their first loss, 39-38, against Murrieta Valley the previous week. They play at Ayala on Friday before their South Coast League opener Oct. 13 at Mission Viejo.

Previous ranking: 8

9. San Juan Hills 7-0 (50)

Colton Chase scored on a touchdown pass from Timmy Herr in the final seconds in a 27-24 nonleague win over Tesoro, the Stallions’ third win over a county Top 25 opponent. San Juan Hills does not play this week and opens Sea View League play at home Oct. 13 against El Toro.

Previous ranking: 10

10. Villa Park 6-0 (49)

The Spartans remained undefeated with a 35-7 nonleague win over El Dorado. They play a nonleague game against Esperanza this week before their Crestview League opener against Foothill on Oct. 12.

Previous ranking: 9

11. Edison 3-3 (44)

Previous ranking: 11

12.Tustin 6-0 (42)

Previous ranking: 13

Marques Guzman (8) of Tustin breaks away from Kennedy’s Gabriel Thomason (33) after catching a pass for a touch down in the second quarter during an Empire League football game at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, September 28, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

13. Corona del Mar 3-3 (38)

Previous ranking: 12

14. Newport Harbor 3-3 (36)

Previous ranking: 14

15. Tesoro 3-3 (35)

Previous ranking: 15

16. Yorba Linda 4-2 (29)

Previous ranking: 16

17. Capistrano Valley 6-0 (24)

Previous ranking: 17

18. Western 5-1 (23)

Previous ranking: 18