PREVIEWS AND PREDICTIONS: CIFSS Week 0 Edition

Mayfair @ Yorba Linda

Thursday, 8/21, 5 PM – SoFi Stadium
Photographer: Richard Do | Reporter: Isabella Lyons | Videographer: Tank Valenzuela

Preview: Week 0 officially kicks off in the CIF Southern Section as the Yorba Linda Mustangs and Mayfair Monsoons open the season at SoFi Stadium.

Last season, Yorba Linda finished 11-2, highlighted by a season-opening 49-21 win over Mayfair. Their run ended in the CIF-SS Division 2 semifinals with a 20-14 loss to Newbury Park — a result the Mustangs are eager to move past as they look to open 2025 on the right foot.

Mayfair went 8-4 in 2024, advancing to the Division 5 quarterfinals before falling to Palos Verdes, 27-14.

JP’s Prediction:
Yorba Linda rolls to a 35-7 victory.

Ocean View @ Fountain Valley

Thursday, 8/21, 7 PM – Cap Sheue Field
Photographer: Will Buchen

Preview: Our second matchup of the night takes us to Huntington Beach, where the Fountain Valley Barons host the Ocean View Seahawks at Cap Sheue Field.

The Barons enter 2025 under new head coach Mitch Olson, looking to turn the page on a tough 1-9 campaign in 2024. Their lone victory last season came against Ocean View in the opener.

The Seahawks finished 3-7 last year with wins over Bolsa Grande, Santa Ana Valley, and Rancho Alamitos, and now aim to start the season with a statement.

JP’s Prediction:
Fountain Valley takes control early and cruises, 42-7.

Huntington Beach @ Orange

Thursday, 8/21, 7 PM – Fred Kelly Stadium
Photographer: Jeremy Westerbeck

Preview: At Fred Kelly Stadium, the Huntington Beach Oilers begin a new era under head coach Matthew Hatchette as they face the Orange Panthers.

The Oilers finished 7-5 last season, which included a high-scoring opening win over Orange. Meanwhile, Orange looks to bounce back from a disappointing 2024 and start 2025 strong against a familiar foe.

JP’s Prediction:
Hatchette earns his first career win as the Oilers dominate, 49-3.

Salesian @ Western

Thursday, 8/21, 7 PM – Handel Stadium
Photographer: Bailey Sanchez

Preview: Western opens its 2025 season at Handel Stadium against Salesian.

The Pioneers went 5-6 in 2024, falling to Huntington Beach in the Division 5 first round. Salesian put together a 9-4 campaign and advanced to the Division 8 semifinals.

JP’s Prediction:
Western gets the job done in the opener, 35-14.

Newport Harbor @ Murrieta Mesa

Thursday, 8/21, 7:30 PM – Murrieta Mesa HS
Photographer: Joey Gray

Preview: The Newport Harbor Sailors head inland to face the Murrieta Mesa Rams in Thursday night’s finale.

Newport Harbor is coming off a 3-7 season but will lean on senior quarterback Jake Meer to spark a turnaround. The Rams went 10-5 in 2024 and capped it off by winning the CIF-SS Division 6 Championship over Glendora.

JP’s Prediction:
Newport Harbor pulls off the upset, 28-24.

JPWest Media Game of the Week: Mission Viejo @ Santa Margarita

Friday, 8/22, 7 PM – Trabuco Hills HS
Photographer: Joey Gray | Reporter: Isabella Lyons | Videographer: Tank Valenzuela | Live on MaxPreps

Preview: The rivalry renews in one of the biggest games in the nation as Mission Viejo takes on Santa Margarita. Between the two rosters, 25 players hold Division I FBS offers.

Last season, Luke Fahey and the Diablos dominated Santa Margarita in a 35-7 win, sparking a 10-1 campaign and an undefeated regular season.

Santa Margarita, however, enters 2025 with a new look — quarterback transfer Trace Johnson under center and NFL Hall of Famer Carson Palmer making his debut as head coach. The Eagles finished 5-7 last season but enter this year with high expectations.

JP’s Prediction:
Santa Margarita stuns Mission Viejo in a 35-31 thriller.

San Clemente @ Tustin

Friday, 8/22, 7 PM – Tustin HS
Photographer: Bailey Sanchez

Preview: Friday night lights shine on Tustin High as the Tillers host San Clemente.

The Tritons finished 6-6 in 2024, reaching the Division 2 quarterfinals before falling to Newbury Park, 24-13. Tustin wrapped up a 9-2 season, going 9-1 in the regular season before being upset by Loyola in the first round.

JP’s Prediction:
San Clemente pulls off a close win, 28-24.

Rancho Verde @ Corona Del Mar

Friday, 8/22, 7 PM – Davidson Field
Photographer: Jeremy Westerbeck

Preview: Football returns to Davidson Field as the Corona Del Mar Sea Kings host Rancho Verde.

These teams met in last year’s opener, with CDM pitching a 21-0 shutout. The Mustangs went on to finish 7-5, advancing to the Division 6 quarterfinals before falling to Glendora.

The Sea Kings ended 2024 at 4-6, missing the playoffs. They’ll look to senior quarterback Brady Annett, junior Tucker Murray, and senior Dorsett Stecker to lead the offense back into contention.

JP’s Prediction:
Corona Del Mar takes care of business, 35-7.

Chaparral @ San Juan Hills

Friday, 8/22, 7 PM – San Juan Hills HS
Photographer: Will Buchen

Preview: It’s a Top-20 showdown as No. 15 San Juan Hills hosts No. 16 Chaparral.

The Stallions went 10-2 in 2024, reaching the Division 2 quarterfinals before falling to Oaks Christian. Senior QB Timmy Herr and junior WR Luke Frith return to lead the offense.

Chaparral finished 7-4 last season, also reaching the Division 2 quarterfinals before bowing out to Yorba Linda in a 42-32 shootout.

JP’s Prediction:
San Juan Hills wins a high-scoring battle, 42-38.

Clovis West @ Edison

Friday, 8/22, 7 PM – Cap Sheue Field
Photographer: Richard Do

Preview: Edison looks for redemption against Clovis West after last year’s 29-28 heartbreaker.

The Chargers led 21-7 after the first quarter but were outscored 22-7 the rest of the way. Edison went on to capture the CIF State Division 1-A Championship, while Clovis West stumbled to a 3-8 finish and a Division 1-A playoff exit in the Central Section.

Quarterback Sam Thomson leads Edison into 2025 as they look to start fast.

JP’s Prediction:
Edison responds with a 35-21 win.

Carson @ Villa Park

Saturday, 8/23, 7 PM – Fred Kelly Stadium
Photographer: Joey Gray

Preview: Week 0 wraps up at Fred Kelly Stadium as Villa Park hosts Carson.

Villa Park went 7-4 in 2024, reaching the Division 3 playoffs before falling to Vista Murrieta in the first round. Carson finished 7-5, advancing to the LA City Section semifinals where they fell to San Pedro in overtime.

JP’s Prediction:
Villa Park escapes with a 35-31 win.