While a select few teams have already played two official contests and many have played one, this week is Week One (Aug. 28-30) – the first in which the entirety of California high school season is underway.
Here's a quick look at the top 10 games to watch in Week One, followed by many more games on our radar. Rankings referenced in games' descriptions below refer to SN's statewide team rankings for Week One.
Top 10 California high school football games to watch this week
(Game start at 7:00 or 7:15 p.m. Friday unless otherwise noted.)
10. Oaks Christian vs. Sierra Canyon
Admittedly, Sierra Canyon is the overwhelming favorite here, particularly after Oaks Christian's 42-27 upset loss to Chaminade. But what if Oaks Christian can hit another gear? It hasn't been uncommon in recent years to see the Lions take a tough non-league loss and bounce back with a marquee win. And with all the star power they have, another gear wouldn't be unsurprising. The question is, how many higher gears would they need to hit at once for a chance to upset Sierra Canyon? They last beat the Trailblazers in 2022 by a score of 38-21.
9. Saint Francis (Mountain View) vs. Cathedral Catholic
The Lancers' Central Coast Section D1 champion defense starts with a San Diego Section powerhouse that's coming off a serious statement win. The blue chip talent-laden Dons opened up with a 52-7 annihilation of Mater Dei Catholic, and having that behind them should help make up for the travel. Saint Francis is tasked with replacing its top skill position players across the board, so they'll be thrown into the fire quickly in this one.
8. JSerra vs. Damien
Time to see what both these teams are made of. JSerra might be vulnerable after a 35-0 demolition at the hands of Sierra Canyon, or it might be ready to unleash on any non-Trinity League team besides Sierra Canyon. Damien is poised for a big year and might have what it takes to take down a Trinity League team, but it was merely good and not spectacular in Week Zero's 20-15 win over Aquinas. The Spartans will look to make some noise early in what could be a banner year, whereas JSerra could simply benefit from a momentous win over a strong opponent.
7. Servite vs. Murrieta Valley
No big story lines here – just some dang good football between two intriguing, possibly evenly-matched teams. Statewide No. 12 Servite was awful in the first half last week against Corona Centennial but outstanding in the second half, whereas No. 17 Murrieta Valley held off Rancho Cucamonga 28-26. Both teams are in similar boats regarding roster construction in that they've both had some of the best offensive playmakers in high school football in the last several years but might be strongest at offensive line and defense in 2025.
6. Archbishop Riordan vs. McClymonds – Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
After Riordan survived McClymonds 35-34 to open 2024, one can't sleep on this game in 2025. The Crusaders have one of the scariest passing games in NorCal and beyond between QB Michael Mitchell Jr. (Vanderbilt), a tremendous O-line, and a receiver corps comprised of Cynai Thomas (Oregon State), Saint Francis (Mountain View) transfer Perrion Williams (Utah), Judge Nash (Harvard), and King's Academy transfer Kyle Welch. With that said, McClymonds has a stellar QB itself in Berell Staples (Cal Poly) and a penchant for shutting down talented receivers.
5. Grant Union vs. Central East
Statewide No. 11 Central East is the favorite on the road against No. 16 Grant thanks to last week's results. The reigning Sac-Joaquin Section D2 champion got shellacked by Folsom whereas the reigning Central Section D1 champion cruised past a tough Inglewood squad to start the season. But Grant does have its own advantage for having already dealt with a world-beater this fall. Some of the state's top receivers and defensive backs will be going at each other in this one.
4. Folsom vs. Serra (San Mateo) – Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
Last week's 51-13 blowout of Grant Union was a serious statement win on both sides of the ball. While No. 8 Folsom has had a lot of banner years in the recent past, 2025 might be its best chance to officially earn status as the best team in NorCal and make the state Open Division championship. Between high expectations and the way Folsom has struggled to beat 2021-23 Northern California top dog Serra, this is one of the juiciest games of the season despite Folsom entering as a favorite by a few scores on paper. Serra won 22-21 to open last season before losing six of its last 10 games.
3. Edison (Huntington Beach) vs. Yorba Linda – Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
There's nothing not to like about this one. No. 23 in California hosting No. 22 in a battle of Northern Orange County programs who have a penchant for developing talent and taking down foes with bigger-name recruits. Yorba Linda has a statement win under its belt already (41-0 over Mayfair) whereas Edison already has a tense, low-scoring win under its belt with a 20-13 victory against Clovis West. Both programs are known for executing pressure from early on in the season, so this one likely comes down to individual X-factors.
2. De La Salle vs. Lakeland (FL)
De La Salle versus a reigning 13-1 team and FHSAA state finalist? Enough said. The Spartans are firmly planted back in the national picture after a dominant bounce-back season in 2024, and despite graduating most of their starters, 2025 could go similarly. Even some of their traditional in-state rivals will be rooting for them this week as they look to continue California's era of dominance over Florida's best teams. Don't blink when RBs Deuce Jones-Drew and Jaden Jefferson (North Carolina) have the ball, or you might miss them.
1. Santa Margarita vs. Corona Centennial – Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
Based solely on the fact that the seventh-ranked Eagles scored just three points in a one-score loss to Mission Viejo last week, some might say they have no chance against No. 3 Centennial, which dazzled against Servite in Week Zero. But it was the first game of the season for a largely new team playing one of the best teams in the country. More important to consider is recent history – in 2024, Santa Margarita stunned Centennial 31-15 after getting blown out 35-7 by Mission Viejo, who Centennial beat months later in the playoffs. Put it all together – not to mention the star power and sheer level of play – and this is still one of the most exciting non-league games of the season despite the Huskies entering as heavy favorites.
When Santa Margarita won last year, it was, unsurprisingly, the Trent Mosley show. The 4-star USC commit had 11 catches for 212 yards and two touchdowns, plus a rushing touchdown. And Leki Holani totaled 12 tackles (seven solo), four TFLs, and a sack. Safe to say Centennial knows who it needs to zero in on after that, but the Eagles are still deep with potential game-changers.
MORE NOTABLE GAMES:
Orange Lutheran vs. Rancho Cucamonga
Lincoln (San Diego) vs. Long Beach Poly
Roosevelt (Eastvale) vs. San Juan Hills – Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Bishop Manogue (NV) vs. Rocklin
Pittsburg vs. Granite Bay
Carlsbad vs. Oceanside
St. Mary's (Stockton) vs. Central Catholic
Bishop Amat vs. Oak Hills – Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
Birmingham vs. St. Bonaventure
Kingsburg vs. Clovis East
Granite Hills (El Cajon) vs. Mater Dei Catholic
Lincoln (San Diego) vs. Long Beach Poly
Clovis vs. Salinas
Vista Murrieta vs. Murrieta Mesa
Millikan vs. Loyola
San Ramon Valley vs. El Cerrito
Liberty (Bakersfield) vs. Clovis West – Friday at 7:30 p.m.
San Clemente vs. Riverton (UT)
Cardinal Newman vs. Manteca
Beaumont vs. Cathedral – Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Los Gatos vs. Soquel
Santa Barbara vs. Corona del Mar
Mission Hills vs. Oak Ridge
Charter Oak vs. La Habra – Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
Inderkum vs. Marin Catholic
Warren vs. Scripps Ranch
Colony vs. Norco
Northview vs. La Habra
Chaminade vs. Valencia (Valencia)
St. Ignatius vs. San Marin
Western vs. Villa Park
Alemany vs. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks)
Chino Hills vs. El Camino (Oceanside)
Frontier vs. Liberty (Brentwood)
RELATED HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL NEWS
- SN's CIF-Southern Section Top 25 rankings for Week One
Top stars, individual performances from Week 0 of California high school football
SN's preseason All-CIF Southern Section high school football teams
Corona Centennial's Ty Plinski makes Odell-like touchdown catch, goes No. 1 on SportsCenter