The 2026 high school football season opened with a flurry of action as the latest Sports Illustrated rankings showed a volatile landscape, with traditional powerhouses facing unexpected challenges and new stars emerging across the nation.
Key Highlights
Santa Margarita surged ahead with a 55‑7 victory over Highland, a performance highlighted by Fletch Palmer, who scored two touchdowns and added 126 rushing yards, while Daveon Wilson helped open lanes on the offensive line.
St. John Bosco erased a 14‑0 early deficit to defeat #9 Pittsburg 26‑14, a comeback ignited by a blocked punt and Dorian Franklin’s touchdown return, with Maliq Allen providing steady leadership from the sideline.
Mater Dei rallied from a 7‑3 hole to beat Valor Christian 38‑22, as four second‑half touchdowns showcased the team's resilience under the guidance of coach Kao Malau’ulu.
De La Salle dominated #15 Cardinal Newman 42‑3, with Jaxon Loftin throwing two touchdown passes and rushing for another, while James Curoso contributed key defensive stops.
Folsom avenged an earlier loss by beating #8 Mission Viejo 35‑21, as Carson Vandermade ran for 80 yards and a touchdown, and Hassir Houston’s presence on the defensive line helped maintain the halftime advantage.
Orange Lutheran edged Basha (Chandler, Arizona) 23‑17, with Ryan Christianson’s 144‑yard rushing performance and a decisive touchdown proving pivotal.
Central East repeated its 20‑14 win over #25 Oak Ridge for the second consecutive week, as Jelani Dippel connected on three touchdown passes, reinforcing his early‑season dominance.
Crean Lutheran fell 37‑29 to JSerra Catholic despite Caden Jones throwing for 247 yards and two scores, illustrating how high passing numbers do not always translate into victory.
Pacifica/Oxnard overwhelmed Hart 39‑20, with Taylor Lee throwing for 272 yards and two touchdowns—both to Anthony Jacobs—showcasing a potent aerial attack.
San Clemente defeated #16 Chaparral 32‑20, as Preston Peck completed 19 of 21 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns, while Chaparral’s Caden Sterba amassed 345 yards and three touchdowns in a valiant effort that fell short.
Cardinal Newman struggled against #6 De La Salle, losing 42‑3 as offensive woes and special‑teams miscues hampered their performance despite high preseason expectations.
Norco posted a 49‑0 shutout of Orange Vista, accumulating 440 total yards and scoring twice through Konnor Calderon, while JaVale Jones powered the ground attack with two touchdowns.
Oak Ridge, fresh from a dramatic comeback win over Argyle in Texas, suffered a 20‑14 loss to #11 Central East, underscoring the challenges of facing top‑tier competition.
Beyond the headline performances, special teams and defense proved decisive; Relando Jefferson’s reliable coverage units and Isaiah Phelps’ hard‑hitting tackles reinforced San Clemente’s defensive effort, while Trey Towns Jr. and AJ McBean made crucial stops for Chaparral and Folsom respectively, Hassir Houston’s presence on the line helped Mission Viejo maintain composure, Daveon Wilson opened lanes for Fletch Palmer, JaVale Jones powered Norco’s ground attack with two touchdowns, and Will Mend’s precision kicking added three extra points in the 49‑0 victory.