WEEK PREVIEW AND PREDICTIONS: CIFSS Week 0

Corona Centennial @ Mater Dei 

Thursday 8/22 7pm

Santa Ana Bowl

PREVIEW: High school football is officially back, kicking off tonight with a showdown between the Mater Dei Monarchs and the Corona Centennial Huskies. This matchup promises to be a great one, as the Monarchs come off a 13-1 season, including a State Title under former head coach Frank McManus. Now, under the leadership of new head coach Raul Lara, the Monarchs are led by Chaparral transfer quarterback Dash Beierly and enter the 2024 season as the number one team in the nation.

On the other side, Corona Centennial begins the season ranked eighth in the nation and second in the Southern Section. After going 9-3 last year and falling to St. John Bosco in the semifinals, the Huskies are looking for redemption. Their starting quarterback, Texas A&M commit Husan Longstreet, is eager to avenge last season’s opening loss.

PREDICTION: Mater Dei wins 35-14

Damien @ La Serna

Thursday 8/22 7pm

California HS

PREVIEW: La Serna enters this game as the defending Division 2-AA State Champions, coming off a stellar 13-3 season in 2023. The Lancers are looking for revenge against Damien, as their last loss came on September 22nd of last year when Damien defeated them 35-21.

As for the Damien Spartans, they’re coming into this matchup after a tough first-round playoff loss to Murrieta Valley in 2023, finishing the season with an 8-3 record.

PREDICTION: La Serna starts 2024 where they left off in 2023 with a 21-14 win

Orange @ Huntington Beach

Friday 8/23 7pm

Cap Sheue Field

PREVIEW: After all the offseason hype surrounding Huntington Beach’s sophomore quarterback, Brady Edmunds, it’s time to see how he can build on his school passing yardage record from last season. The Oilers, who are coming off an exciting playoff run that ended in the CIF-SS Division 6 Semifinals against Simi Valley, have players hungry to get back on track, including Troy Foster, Steel Kurtz, Gavin Seguin, and Niko Lopez.

The Orange Panthers, on the other hand, are coming off a 6-5 season in 2023, where they fell to Rio Hondo Prep in the Quarterfinals. The last time these two teams met, the Panthers came out on top, defeating the Oilers in overtime in 2022 to advance to the Quarterfinals.

PREDICTION: Huntington Beach wins the opener 35-8

Sierra Canyon @ JSerra Catholic

Friday 8/23 7pm

J Serra HS

PREVIEW: Sierra Canyon travels to JSerra High School fresh off a 30-7 victory over Punahou in Hawaii. The Trailblazers were led by senior quarterback Wyatt Becker, who threw for 217 yards and a touchdown. Last season, Sierra Canyon went 11-0 before falling to Mater Dei in the CIF-SS Semifinals.

JSerra, aiming to open their season with a win, will be led by junior quarterback Ryan Hopkins. The Lions finished last season with a 5-6 record, but they face a tough challenge against the fourth-ranked team in the state. The Trailblazers edged out JSerra in a close 9-7 game last season.

PREDICTION: Sierra Canyon keeps it rolling in another close one with JSerra 14-10

Santa Margarita @ Mission Viejo 

Saturday 8/24 7pm

Mission Viejo HS

PREVIEW: The Battle of South Orange County is set to be an exciting matchup as the Santa Margarita Eagles make the short drive to Mission Viejo High School to face the defending Division 1-AA champions, the Mission Viejo Diablos. This marks the first meeting between the Diablos and the Eagles since 2019.

The Eagles are coming off a 5-6 season, with their campaign ending in the Division 1 Quarterfinals after a 37-20 loss to Sierra Canyon. However, they’re determined to rebound and kick off this season on a high note.

The Diablos enter this game with momentum following a dominant 41-7 victory last week in Hawaii over Kamehameha. Senior quarterback Draiden Trudeau led the charge, throwing for 172 yards and 2 touchdowns, both caught by junior receiver Vance Spafford.

PREDICTION: Mission Viejo keeps it rolling with a 28-20 win over Santa Margarita