Trinity League Powers Shine as SoCal High School Football Week 0 Delivers Drama

The opening weekend of Southern California high school football delivered everything fans could hope for: nail-biting finishes, dominant performances, and glimpse into what promises to be an unforgettable 2025 season. From Mater Dei’s heart-stopping 26-23 victory over Florida’s St. Thomas Aquinas to St. John Bosco’s weather-shortened demolition of Manatee, Week 0 showcased why Southern California remains the epicenter of elite prep football.

Trinity League programs once again proved their national prominence, with four of the six teams securing victories in their season openers. The drama wasn’t limited to the big names, however, as programs across the Southland delivered statement wins and shocking upsets that will resonate throughout the season.

Mater Dei Survives Early Season Test

The defending national champions faced their first real adversity of the season Saturday night, nearly letting a commanding 26-3 halftime lead slip away against St. Thomas Aquinas. Nebraska-bound quarterback Ryan Hopkins showed why he’s considered one of the nation’s elite signal-callers, connecting on three consecutive touchdown passes of 22, 81, and 62 yards to build the early advantage.

“The vertical game is lethal already; discipline is the fix-it item before league play,” noted one scout in attendance.

Wide Receiver Chris Henry Jr. complemented Hopkins beautifully, racking up 122 yards and two touchdowns. However, 13 penalties kept the Raiders alive, leading to a furious second-half comeback that fell just short. The Monarchs’ ability to close out a tight game will serve them well as they navigate another challenging Trinity League slate.

What did you think of Mater Dei’s performance? Were you surprised by how close this game became?

Bosco Dominates Despite Weather Interruption

St. John Bosco’s season opener against Florida’s Manatee lasted just one half, but the Braves made every minute count. Leading 31-0 at the break when lightning forced officials to call the game, Bosco showcased the explosive offense and suffocating defense that has become their trademark.

Sophomore quarterback Koa Malauʻulu announced his arrival on the big stage with three touchdown passes in the abbreviated contest. The efficiency was striking – no turnovers, crisp execution, and a special teams unit that clicked immediately.

“Efficient, low-mistake opener; special-teams and explosive passing clicked immediately. Weather-shortened, but the tape shows a crisp install,” observed one recruiting analyst.

Orange Lutheran Grinds Out Victory

The Lancers traveled to Miami and emerged with a hard-fought 17-13 victory over Northwestern, though early score confusion had some outlets reporting different final tallies. The win demonstrated Orange Lutheran’s ability to win ugly on the road – a quality that could prove invaluable during Trinity League play.

Millikan Makes Statement in Revenge Game

Perhaps the most impressive non-Trinity League performance came from Long Beach Millikan, which absolutely dismantled Newbury Park 49-20 in a complete reversal of last year’s 52-15 defeat. Quarterback Ashton Pannell was surgical, completing 9 of 11 passes for 333 yards and four touchdowns while adding a rushing score.

Wide receiver Landon Ross torched the Newbury Park secondary for 142 yards and a touchdown on just four catches, while the Rams defense picked off three passes from Brady Smigiel. Coach Romeo Pellum’s squad sent a clear message that they’re ready to compete with anyone this season.

“This was a complete 180 from last year. Everything clicked – offense, defense, special teams. We came ready to make a statement,” Pellum said after the victory.

Do you think Millikan can maintain this level of play throughout the season?

Poly Struggles in Utupo Era Debut

Long Beach Polytechnic’s new chapter under coach Justin Utupo got off to a rocky start with a 14-3 loss to Leuzinger. The Jackrabbits managed just under 200 total yards, with their lone score coming on a 30-yard field goal on the opening drive.

Protection issues and penalties stalled multiple promising drives, though the defense showed encouraging signs by keeping the game competitive. A road trip to Lincoln High in San Diego awaits, providing another opportunity to fine-tune the offensive attack.

Sierra Canyon Dominates JSerra

The Trailblazers served notice of their championship aspirations with a comprehensive 35-0 shutout victory over JSerra. Running back Jaxsen Stokes powered the ground attack with three touchdowns, while the defense was suffocating, not allowing a single red-zone opportunity.

The victory was particularly sweet for Sierra Canyon, serving as revenge for last year’s season-opening upset loss to the Lions.

Trinity League Snapshot After Week 0

The early Trinity League standings paint an intriguing picture:

Winners:

• Mater Dei 1-0 (defeated St. Thomas Aquinas FL, 26-23)
• St. John Bosco 1-0 (defeated Manatee FL, 31-0, weather-shortened)
• Orange Lutheran 1-0 (defeated Miami Northwestern FL, 17-13)

Looking to Rebound:

• Santa Margarita 0-1 (lost to Mission Viejo, 7-3)
• JSerra 0-1 (lost to Sierra Canyon, 35-0)
• Servite 0-1 (lost to Corona Centennial, 42-14)

The 7-3 loss to Mission Viejo was particularly concerning for Santa Margarita, suggesting offensive coordinator changes may be needed. Meanwhile, Servite’s 42-14 defeat to Corona Centennial raises questions about their ability to compete with the league’s elite.

Standout Performances Across the Southland

Beyond the Trinity League headlines, several programs made significant statements:

Offensive Explosions:

• Granada Hills torched North Hollywood 50-16
• Victor Valley demolished San Gorgonio 66-0
• Banning crushed Riverside Notre Dame 68-0
• Lawndale dominated Hawthorne 60-6

Dramatic Finishes:

• Kennedy survived Eagle Rock 59-56 in a thriller
• Monroe edged Chatsworth 24-25 in a defensive battle
• Vista del Lago needed overtime to defeat Riverside Poly 21-14

Upset Specials:

• Leuzinger’s victory over Long Beach Poly stands as the week’s biggest surprise
• Downey’s 24-21 win over Sherman Oaks Notre Dame raised eyebrows
• El Monte’s 44-6 demolition of Arcadia was completely unexpected

Which Week 0 result surprised you the most? Share your thoughts below!

Key Insights

Trinity League Dominance Continues: Four of six Trinity League teams won their openers, with the losses coming against quality opponents. The league’s depth remains unmatched nationally.

Quarterback Play Stellar: From Hopkins at Mater Dei to Malauʻulu at Bosco to Pannell at Millikan, signal-caller play was exceptional across the board.

Defense Still Matters: Sierra Canyon’s shutout, Bosco’s dominance, and several other low-scoring affairs proved that championship teams are still built on defensive foundations.

Revenge Games Hit Different: Millikan’s demolition of Newbury Park and Sierra Canyon’s shutout of JSerra showed that motivated teams with something to prove can be dangerous.

Early Season Road Tests Pay Dividends: The Trinity League programs that traveled out of state for quality competition will benefit enormously as league play approaches.

Looking Ahead

Week 0 provided the perfect appetizer for what promises to be an incredible season. Trinity League play doesn’t begin for several weeks, giving these powerhouse programs time to iron out early-season kinks while building chemistry.

The question now becomes: Can anyone challenge Mater Dei’s stranglehold on the Trinity League crown? St. John Bosco looked impressive in limited action, while Orange Lutheran’s road warrior mentality could serve them well. Don’t sleep on a potentially improved Santa Margarita squad that may have simply had an off night.

The 2025 high school football season is officially underway, and if Week 0 was any indication, we’re in for something special. Which storyline are you most excited to follow this season? Drop your predictions in the comments below – we want to hear from the best fans in prep football!

About the Reporter: Bill Prentice has covered Southern California high school football for over a decade, specializing in Trinity League coverage and recruiting analysis. Follow his work at www.repmaxmedia.com.

High school Football “Week 0” Scores

Thursday Nigh Lights:

Granada Hills 50, North Hollywood 16

Southern Section

Aliso Niguel 38, Beckman 3

Apple Valley 20, Orange Vista 6

Beaumont 58, San Jacinto 14

Big Bear 41, Riverside Prep 7

Bolsa Grande 66, Savanna 0

Chino Hills 40, Glendora 0

Citrus Hill 35, Redlands 27

Covina 49, La Puente 35

Desert Hot Springs 32, Rubidoux 14

El Cajon Christian 42, Rancho Mirage 14

El Segundo 62, South Pasadena 34

Elsinore 60, Heritage 14

Etiwanda 36, Grand Terrace 13

Fountain Valley 24, Ocean View 7

Fontana 25, San Bernardino 17

Fountain Valley 24, Ocean View 7

Fullerton 40, Anaheim 6

Gabrielino 26, Century 14

Lawndale 60, Hawthorne 6

Huntington Beach 35, Orange 18

Laguna Beach 45, Chino 7

Marina 13, Santa Ana Foothill 7

Moreno Valley 14, Eisenhower 0

Mountain View 47, Glenn 21

Murrieta Mesa 33, Newport Harbor 27

Perris 32, Bloomington 30

Public Safety Academy 70, Warner 8

Ramona 13, Riverside North 0

Rosemead 48, Bosco Tech 0

San Gabriel 32, Whittier Christian 27

Summit 28, Ayala 13

Tahquitz 31, Hemet 13

Western 34, Salesian 31

Whittier 26, Temple City 0

Vista Murrieta 47, Great Oak 25

Yorba Linda 41, Mayfair 0

Yucca Valley 48, Arrowhead Christian 7

Cottonwood West Valley 54, Sierra Vista 6

Los Osos 42, Narbonne 6

Friday Night Lights

City Section:

Arleta 14, Westchester 12

Banning 44, South East 14

Bernstein 48, Hawkins 20

Canoga Park 20, Fulton 0

Contreras 13, Rivera 12

Crenshaw 37, Fairfax 6

Jefferson 38, Reseda 0

Kennedy 59, Eagle Rock 56

King/Drew 56, Jordan 0

Legacy 33, Maywood CES 6

Locke 14, Manual Arts 12

Marquez 47, Verdugo Hills 6

Monroe 25, Chatsworth 24

Panorama 20, Chavez 14

Santee 40, Poly 24

University 21, Lincoln 19

West Adams at Van Nuys, canceled

Wilson 45, Grant 0

Southern Section

Adelanto 23, Castaic 7

Calabasas 37, Alemany 34

Alta Loma 46, Peninsula 0

Baldwin Park 55, Keppel 0

Bellflower 27, Santa Ana 21

Big Bear 41, Riverside Prep 7

Bishop Amat 42, St. Paul 14

Bishop Diego 42, Lancaster 40

Brea Olinda 47, Sonora 0

Buena Park 27, Don Lugo 13

Saugus 35, Buena 16

Burbank 56, San Dimas 28

Redlands East Valley 63, California Military Institute 7

Capistrano Valley 40, Barstow 21

Carter 26, Kaiser 6

Cathedral 36, Loyola 14

Chaminade 42, Oaks Christian 27

Charter Oak 49, Canyon Country Canyon 7

Claremont 17, Capistrano Valley Christian 12

Colony 34, Ontario Christian 0

Colton 62, Jurupa Valley 0

Compton Centennial 48, Compton Early College 6

Corona Santiago 31, Yucaipa 14

Cypress 17, Cerritos 14

Corona Centennial 42, Servite 14

Corona Del Mar 41, Rancho Verde 6

Costa Mesa 56, Magnolia 0

Covina 49, La Puente 35

Damien 20, Aquinas 15

Desert Christian Academy 36, Twentynine Palms 12

Desert Mirage 70, Desert Chapel 38

Diamond Ranch 42, Ganesha 20

Downey 24, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 21

Duarte 29, Azusa 15

El Monte 44, Arcadia 6

El Rancho 13, South Hills 7

Etiwanda 36, Grand Terrace 13

Fillmore 49, Royal 3

Firebaugh 33, Santa Clara 7

Gardena Serra 26, Palos Verdes 0

Granite Hills 62, Sultana 21

Heritage Christian 34, San Marino 20

Hesperia 37, Palmdale 28

Hillcrest 61, Corona 15

Hoover 51, Marshall 7

Shadow Hills 66, Indio 6

Irvine 34, Northwood 14

Katella 21, Santa Ana Valley 7

Laguna Hills 42, Anaheim Canyon 28

La Habra 34, Upland 20

Lakeside 31, Pomona 14

La Palma Kennedy 35, Garden Grove Pacifica 13

La Canada 42, La Salle 6

Leuzinger 14, Long Beach Poly 3

Godinez 18, Loara 6

Artesia 50, Long Beach Cabrillo 26

Long Beach Wilson 35, Portola 0

Los Altos 62, Hacienda Heights Wilson 15

Los Amigos 42, Garden Grove 36

Maranatha 34, Arroyo 14

Miller 28, La Sierra 27

Millikan 49, Newbury Park 20

Mission Viejo 7, Santa Margarita 3

Montclair 16, Indian Springs 14

Monrovia 42, Brentwood 38

Moorpark 44, Rio Mesa 13

Muir 14, Bonita 7

Murrieta Valley 28, Rancho Cucamonga 26

California 52, Nogales 30

Norco 35, Cajon 27

Norte Vista 20, Silverado 16

Norwalk 55, Montebello 14

Oak Hills 35, Highland 6

Agoura 45, Oak Park 28

Oxnard Pacifica 59, West Ranch 17

Pacific 42, Nuview Bridge 7

Palm Springs 38, Segerstrom 32

Pasadena 42, Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary 3

Patriot 27, Chaffey 8

Rialto 25, Ontario 13

Rio Hondo Prep 20, Schurr 9

Riverside King 22, Eastvale Roosevelt 20

Banning 68, Riverside Notre Dame 0

Rosemead 48, Bosco Tech 0

Saddleback 26, Garden Grove Santiago 7

San Juan Hills 38, Chaparral 33

San Marcos 35, Del Sol 0

Santa Ana Calvary Chapel 35, Woodbridge 0

Santa Barbara 21, Camarillo 14

Santa Fe 16, Pioneer 12

Santa Paula 45, Grace 34

Sierra Canyon 35, JSerra 0

St. Bonaventure 19, St. Francis 7

St. Margaret’s 38, Arlington 6

Sunny Hills 28, Westminster 20

Temescal Canyon 15, Paloma Valley 14

Temecula Valley 28, Liberty 21

Tesoro 24, El Toro 14

Thousand Oaks 44, Hueneme 0

Troy 35, El Modena 21

Tustin 30, San Clemente 17

Valencia 28, Simi Valley 7

Valley Christian 34, Gahr 0

Vasquez 49, Beverly Hills 21

Victor Valley 66, San Gorgonio 0

Viewpoint 27, Channel Islands 0

Vista del Lago 21, Riverside Poly 14 (OT)

Walnut 21, Garey 7

Western Christian 56, Workman 6

Westlake 38, Golden Valley 14

Xavier Prep 46, Linfield Christian 14

Bassett 46, Mendez 7

Bell Gardens 40, Bell 6

Birmingham 24, Hart 14

Palm Desert 23, Brawley 12

Canyon Springs 49, El Centro Southwest 0

Carlsbad 43, Lakewood 0

Coachella Valley 33, Vista 21

Compton 41, Rancho Dominguez 0

Crean Lutheran 30, Mullen (CO) 14

Crespi 34, Gardena 0

Central East 41, Inglewood 12

Central 27, Jurupa Hills 0

Dana Hills 10, Desert Oasis (Nev.) 6

Edison 20, Clovis West 13

El Camino Real 34, Knight 0

Franklin 41, Lynwood 14

Harvard-Westlake 21, Cleveland 0

Imperial 49, Serrano 35

L.A. Marshall 27, Glendale 23

La Mirada 34, South Gate 16

Los Alamitos 34, Kapolei (Hawaii) 31

Mission College Prep 22, Oxnard 19

Mission Hills 31, Quartz Hill 0

Mountain Empire 28, Anza Hamilton 25

North Torrance 28, Summit Academy (Utah) 6

Northview 35, Green Valley (Nev.) 10

Paraclete 35, Garces 28

Paramount 56, L.A. Roosevelt 0

Rancho Bernardo 15, La Serna 13

University City 55, Rancho Christian 20

Rosamond 42, Eastside 6

Santa Ynez 43, Dos Pueblos 22

St. John Bosco 31, Manatee (Fla.) 0 (called at halftime because of lightning)

St. Monica 23, Venice 16

St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy 36, Sierra Vista (Nev.) 20

Taft 20, Nordhoff 17

Tehachapi 21, Ridgecrest Burroughs 13

Torrance 37, San Pedro 13

Valhalla 51, San Jacinto Valley Academy 27

Valley View 29, West Valley 18

Village Christian 57, Huntington Park 22

Farrington (Hawaii) 26, Warren 14

Saturdays Night Lights:

Southern Section

Santa Rosa Academy 34, Cathedral City 6

El Dorado 30, Diamond Bar 0

Alhambra 21, South El Monte 20

San Fernando 7, Trinity Classical Academy 6

St. Louis (Hawaii) 34, Bishop Montgomery 27

Villa Park 26, Carson 22

Mater Dei 26, Aquinas (Fla.) 23

Orange Lutheran 17, Northwestern (Fla.) 13