PREVIEWS AND PREDICTIONS: CIFSS Week 0 Edition

Week 0 is officially underway in the CIF Southern Section, and the 2026 season opens with a strong schedule

JPWest Media Game of the Week: #2 Centennial @ #9 Servite

Thursday, August 20, 7 PM – Orange Coast College Photographer: Joey Gray | Reporter: Justin Rosette

The Huskies and Friars renew a recent rivalry in a high-stakes non-league opener that carries early ranking and momentum implications. Centennial, ranked No. 2 in the Southern Section, enters Matt Logan’s 30th season as a program still built on physical, fast football and elite defensive talent. Washington-committed safety Jaden Walk-Green headlines a deep secondary that has made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks the past two years, while the Huskies return production in the run game and have added transfers to strengthen both sides of the ball.

Servite begins a new era under first-year head coach Rick Garretson, the former longtime offensive coordinator. The Friars bring legitimate speed on the perimeter, led by Oregon State commit Benjamin Harris and a group of athletic receivers and skill players who can stretch the field. Their offensive line and linebacker corps will be tested immediately against Centennial’s physical front and secondary.

Centennial has dominated this matchup recently, including a 42-14 Week 0 win in 2025 and a 41-6 playoff victory later that season. The Huskies open a difficult stretch that also includes Santa Margarita and Mater Dei in the coming weeks, so a strong statement here would set an early tone. Servite will look to use its speed and new scheme to keep the game competitive and force Centennial into uncomfortable situations.

JP’s Prediction: Centennial’s experience, defensive talent, and physical edge prove too much. Huskies 35, Servite 17.

Huntington Beach @ Millikan

Thursday, August 20, 7 PM Photographer: Jeremy Westerbeck | Videographer: Tank Valenzuela

The Oilers open the season on the road against a Millikan program determined to bounce back from a frustrating 2025. Huntington Beach features one of Orange County’s top quarterbacks in senior Brady Edmunds, the Ohio State commit and Elite 11 finalist who threw for 2,724 yards and 32 touchdowns last season with just two interceptions. At 6-foot-5 with a strong arm and improving mobility, Edmunds gives the Oilers a clear advantage under center as they look to establish early rhythm in the Sunset League.

Millikan returns sophomore quarterback Jonah Tuaniga and boasts one of the county’s most dangerous weapons in senior wide receiver Jay Williams, a 6-foot-5 Kansas commit with elite speed. The Rams also return experience on the offensive line and in the secondary, including multiple players with Division I interest. Coach Romeo Pellum has emphasized a “never again” mindset after last season’s step back, and the Rams open a challenging schedule that includes this matchup against Huntington Beach.

Both teams feature young talent mixed with experienced playmakers. Expect a competitive, physical opener as Edmunds tries to carve up a talented Millikan secondary while the Rams look to establish the run and create big-play opportunities through Williams.

JP’s Prediction: Huntington Beach edges a close one behind Edmunds, 28-24.

#13 Chaparral @ #6 Mission Viejo

Friday, August 21, 7 PM – Live on Spectrum SportsNet Photographer: John Clingan

Mission Viejo hosts Chaparral in a ranked matchup that carries significant early-season weight. The Diablos return key pieces on both sides of the ball, including standout receiver Jack Junker and a physical offensive line anchored by LSU commit Amaziah Siale. Sophomore quarterback Brett Burnor has drawn positive reviews in the preseason and will look to get the offense rolling at home, where Mission Viejo has been dominant in recent years.

Chaparral will start sophomore Caden Sterba at quarterback after senior Dane Weber (Cal commit) was sidelined with a thumb injury that required surgery. Weber had been one of the top returning quarterbacks in the section after a strong junior season. Sterba steps into a difficult environment against a Diablos defense and home crowd that has made life hard for visiting teams. Chaparral still brings defensive talent and athleticism, but the absence of Weber shifts a heavier burden onto the supporting cast.

Mission Viejo is favored at home and looks ready to open with a statement. The Diablos will try to establish the run and force Sterba into difficult throws, while Chaparral will look to keep the game close and create opportunities through the defense.

JP’s Prediction: Mission Viejo controls the tempo and rolls at home, 42-17.

Murrieta Mesa @ Newport Harbor (1-0)

Friday, August 21, 7 PM Photographer: Jeremy Westerbeck

Newport Harbor returns home after a dominant 41-0 Week 0 win over Nanakuli in Hawaii. Senior quarterback Jordan Spigarelli was sharp, completing 13 of 19 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns. Senior receiver Shane McKibben was the primary target with seven catches for 143 yards and two scores, while the Sailors’ defense limited Nanakuli to virtually nothing. Sophomore safety Ben Stremick led the way with nine tackles.

Murrieta Mesa travels to Davidson Field looking to spoil the home opener. The Rams will need a strong defensive effort to slow Spigarelli and McKibben while establishing enough offense to keep the game within reach. Newport Harbor carries clear momentum from the Hawaii trip and the advantage of already having a game under its belt.

The Sailors should be sharp coming off the shutout and look to build on that performance in front of the home crowd.

JP’s Prediction: Newport Harbor stays perfect with another strong outing, 35-14.

Jones (Florida) @ Santa Margarita

Friday, August 21, 7 PM – Saddleback College Photographer: Joey Gray

The defending CIF-SS Division 1 and State Open Division champions open the season at home against a quality inter-state opponent. Santa Margarita, still stacked with talent in year two under Carson Palmer, returns key contributors on both sides of the ball and looks every bit the part of a national contender once again. The Eagles’ depth, physicality, and experience should be on full display against the visiting Tigers.

Jones High from Orlando makes the long trip west after a strong run in Florida’s Class 4A ranks a year ago. Head coach Elijah Williams has taken his program to the state title game multiple times and views this as both a competitive challenge and a valuable experience for his players. The Tigers will need to play clean football and create turnovers if they hope to stay competitive against one of California’s top programs.

Santa Margarita’s home-field advantage at Saddleback and overall talent edge make the Eagles clear favorites in this inter-state opener.

JP’s Prediction: Santa Margarita sets the tone early and rolls, 41-14.

#4 Sierra Canyon @ #9 JSerra

Friday, August 21, 7 PM Photographer: Edgar Puentes

One of the more intriguing early-season matchups pits Sierra Canyon’s loaded roster against a JSerra program under new head coach Hardy Nickerson. The Trailblazers feature one of the nation’s best defensive lines, led by Ohio State commit Marcus Fakatou and Texas commit Kasi Currie, plus elite talent across the secondary and skill positions. Sierra Canyon comes in wanting to set a physical tone at the line of scrimmage and has the pieces to do it.

JSerra returns playmakers and has rebuilt under Nickerson, the former All-Pro linebacker, with an emphasis on physicality and an experienced coaching staff that includes several former NFL players. The Lions will rely on home-field energy at The Den and look to make this a trench battle. While Sierra Canyon’s talent edge is significant, JSerra has the tools to keep the game competitive if it can slow the Trailblazers’ front seven and create explosive plays on offense.

This one has the potential to be a physical, hard-hitting opener with early ranking implications.

JP’s Prediction: Sierra Canyon’s front seven and overall talent prove too much. Trailblazers 38, JSerra 17.

#23 Tustin @ #12 San Clemente (1-0)

Friday, August 21, 7 PM Photographer: Alan Gibby / Zone57

San Clemente hosts Tustin in a ranked matchup after opening the season with a solid 23-8 win over Kapa’a on the island of Kauai. Junior quarterback Preston Beck was efficient in his first start of the year, completing 18 of 21 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. He also added a rushing score. Senior running back Darion Ranuga led the ground game with 74 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, while senior wideout/defensive back Jaxson Rex (BYU commit) caught a touchdown pass and dominated on defense with nine tackles, a tackle for loss, and a sack. Senior Ryan Matheson hauled in nine receptions for 73 yards, and senior safety Cade Hogan added an interception.

The Tritons return a physical, experienced core that includes Rex as one of the county’s top two-way players, along with a stout defensive front and secondary. Playing at home after already having a live game under their belt gives San Clemente a clear early advantage.

Tustin brings one of the most talented rosters in Orange County. The Tillers feature multiple high-major commits along the defensive front and at linebacker, including BYU commit Jeremiah Williams (a disruptive force at defensive tackle who also contributes on offense), Washington commit Jon Ioane, and Oklahoma commit Taven Epps at linebacker. Junior quarterback Ayden Edwards has the size and arm talent to stretch the field, while junior receiver Hayden Koo has emerged as one of the more dynamic playmakers in the county. Tustin has the athletic tools to create mismatches and pressure, especially if its front seven can disrupt Beck early.

This matchup has the ingredients for a physical, hard-hitting battle. San Clemente will look to lean on its balanced attack and home-field energy after the Hawaii win, while Tustin will try to impose its will up front and generate big plays on both sides of the ball. The Tritons’ experience edge and Rex’s two-way impact make them slight favorites, but Tustin’s talent level keeps this one very much in play.

JP’s Prediction: San Clemente wins in a close one, 28-21.