News Summary
The high school football season has officially begun in Orange County, showcasing thrilling matchups and substantial victories. Teams such as Yorba Linda, Fullerton, and Bolsa Grande dominated their games, with standout performances from key players. Girls’ flag football and volleyball also saw competitive action, further invigorating the local sports scene. As schools implement safety measures amid extreme heat, anticipation builds for an exciting season ahead as rivalries ignite and players aim for peak performance.
Orange County – The high school football season officially commenced in Orange County on Thursday, August 21, with an exciting slate of games. Week 0 set the tone for the season with multiple schools showcasing their athletic talent on the gridiron. Demonstrating dominance, several teams achieved substantial victories, highlighting the competitive spirit in local football.
Yorba Linda kicked off the season with a decisive win over Mayfair, shutting them out 41-0. Fullerton followed with a commanding 40-6 victory against Anaheim, while Huntington Beach triumphed over Orange with a final score of 35-18. Aliso Niguel also made a strong impression, defeating Beckman decisively at 38-3, and Bolsa Grande achieved a remarkable 66-0 victory over Savanna.
In additional matchups, Laguna Beach outplayed Chino 45-7, Marina edged out Foothill 13-7, and Murrieta Mesa narrowly defeated Newport Harbor 33-27. Fountain Valley finished strong against Ocean View with a score of 24-7, and Gabrielino defeated Century 26-14. In a close encounter, Western narrowly outscored Salesian 34-31.
Aside from football, girls’ flag football also saw exciting action. Huntington Beach delivered a commanding performance against Millikan, concluding the match with a score of 34-0. Western Christian matched this feat with a similar victory over Pacifica Christian, winning 32-0. Additionally, in girls’ volleyball, Buena Park triumphed over Dominguez with scores of 25-13, 25-15, and 25-19, while Esperanza won a competitive match against El Toro, taking the match 3-1.
Key individual performances in football stood out during the day’s events. Fullerton’s Andrade threw for 160 yards with 2 touchdowns, while Aliso Niguel’s Vestermark excelled with 309 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. Huntington Beach’s Edmunds was another highlight, completing 213 yards passing and 3 touchdowns.
In water polo, University opened their season with a strong performance against Mission Viejo, winning decisively 18-6. Long Beach Wilson also claimed victory over Huntington Beach, finishing 15-9.
As schools prioritize player safety amid extreme heat conditions, CIF-SS schools are implementing essential safety measures during games. They are using the WetBulb Globe Temperature tool to monitor heat stress, ensuring that players are not put at increased risk while competing.
This initial week of games featured 35 scheduled matches, indicating a robust start to the football season in Orange County. Notable attendance restrictions were imposed, particularly at larger venues like SoFi Stadium, where tickets were priced at $41.95 and waivers were required for entry.
Coaches and athletes made special note of the significance of their matchups. Historic rivalries and newly formed teams brought an additional layer of excitement to the event. Notably, Matt Palmer made his coaching debut at Santa Margarita, where he aims to focus on building character and athletic performance among his athletes.
With the first week of high school football wrapping up, Orange County schools are gearing up for what promises to be an exhilarating sports season, providing local fans with plenty of action to follow.
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Additional Resources
- OC Sports Zone: Final Scores for August 21
- OC Register: Get Ready for Thursday’s Kickoff
- OC Register: Scores and Player Stats for August 21
- OC Sports Zone: Week Zero Football Schedule
- OC Register: Santa Margarita Coach Focused on Gratitude
- Wikipedia: High School Football
- Google Search: Orange County High School Football
- Google Scholar: Orange County Football
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Football
- Google News: Orange County Football
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
