The Register’s high school football preseason Top 25 for the 2022 season.

ORANGE COUNTY PRESEASON TOP 25

Head coach Bruce Rollinson of Mater Dei Monarchs prior to a 2021 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Game between the Mater Dei Monarchs and the Serra Padres at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 11, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

1. Mater Dei (12-0 in 2021): MaxPreps.com has the Monarchs pegged as the No. 1 team in the nation. It’s easy to see why. Junior quarterback Elijah Brown completed an astounding 74 percent of his passes last season, including 30 touchdowns and only six interceptions. The offensive line should be great, and so should the defense and special teams. Reports of violent hazing and more within the Monarchs football program shadowed Bruce Rollinson over the past several months but he remains the team’s coach, a position he has held since 1989. Maybe this is Rollinson’s final season. Maybe not. Either way, it just might be one that gets him another CIF championship because the roster is abundant with talent and a “win it for Rollo” attitude is a powerful motivator.

Mission Viejo wide receiver Mikey Matthews, right, tries to get away from Servite linebacker Jacob Manu in the first quarter in Costa Mesa on Thursday, August 26, 2021. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

2. Mission Viejo (9-2): The Diablos have 16 starters returning, eight on offense and eight on defense. They will field a dynamic offense. Quarterback Kadin Semonza, who committed to Ball State, was South Coast League offensive MVP last season. Receiver Mikey Matthews was the league’s overall MVP and is ranked by the Register as the No. 2 receiver in Orange County. Receiver Jackson Holman is a great yards-after-catch guy. Last season’s starting defensive line returns as does all-league junior linebacker Jack Matranga.

Los Alamitos’ Malachi Nelson (7) sprints with the ball during a nonleague game against Lincoln of San Diego at Westminster High School Friday, August 27, 2021. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)

3. Los Alamitos (9-2): Having a returning starting quarterback is a valuable asset. The Griffins have the best one in Orange County, and perhaps in California, senior Malachi Nelson (6-3, 185). The USC commit is No. 1 in the Register’s Hot 150 ranking of Orange County football players. Nelson threw for 2,690 yards last season with 39 touchdowns in 11 game. Senior receiver Makai Lemon is No. 3 on the Hot 150.

Santa Margarita quarterback Jaxon Potter throws the ball during a Trinity League game against St. John Bosco at Saddleback College on Friday, October 22, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

4. Santa Margarita (6-5): The Eagles will have exceptional speed all over the field. Senior quarterback Jaxon Potter threw for 2,869 yards and 23 touchdowns last season. He also threw 17 interceptions, but he was throwing against some of the best secondary groups in the state and will be much more efficient this season. Senior receiver Niko Lopez, who was All-Trinity League last season, is a great target for Potter. Emmett Mosley transferred in from Servite and will strengthen an outstanding defensive backfield.

5. Orange Lutheran (10-5): The Lancers lost all of their best skill-position players to graduation but Coach Rod Sherman said this year’s group could be better than last year’s. He is confident the defense will be improved. Still, it’s a young team. As many as 11 starters might be sophomores and freshmen. Noah Rodriguez was an All-Trinity League second team safety last season. The offensive line features senior Nathan Hale (6-5, 275) at left tackle.

Corona del Mar’s Cooper Hoch catches a 31-yard pass for a first down against Warren in Downey on Friday, November 5, 2021. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

6. Corona del Mar (9-3): The Sea Kings return 11 starters with six on offense, including senior quarterback David Rasor. He was Sunset League offensive back of the year in 2021 and is a three-year starter. Cooper Hoch leads an impressive corps of receivers. He is ranked No. 6 in O.C. at the position. Senior linebacker Mason Kubuchek was All-Sunset League first team last year. Senior cornerback Oliver Ayala was second team all-league.

Servite’s Kitione Talavou prays before competing against St. John Bosco in a Trinity League game in Bellflower on Friday, March 26, 2021. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

7. Servite (10-3): The graduation of great 2021 players and the departure of others via transfer could signal a deep drop in quality for the Friars this season. It’s still Servite, though, where pride of school and program are as important as anywhere else. Coach Troy Thomas is confident that a talented group of sophomores like running back Quiad Carr can develop quickly enough so that the Friars are ready for Trinity League competition. Senior Kitione Talavou will be a force at defensive end.

Edison quarterback Parker Awad scrambles away from Orange Lutheran defenders in a non-league football game at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Friday, September 3, 2021. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)

8. Edison (8-4): Senior quarterback Parker Awad was All-Sunset League first team last season when he passed for 2,166 yards in 11 games. Senior receiver Tucker Tripp was third on the Chargers in receptions last season with 39 and was all-league first team. Nathan Gates (6-5, 275) is one of three returning starting offensive linemen. Edison’s defense includes several all-league returnees including cornerback Malachi Pierce.

9. San Clemente (7-4): The Tritons have eight returning starters on offense and eight on defense Several of those players will be three-year starters. Senior Cole Robertson is one of the better linebackers in the county. He was All-South Coast League last season as were defensive backs Brad Gerken and Ryder Insley and receiver Thomas Hartanov.

10. Yorba Linda (10-1): The Mustangs were Crestview League champions last season and look good enough to do it again. Senior quarterback Reyn Beal was a league player of the year in 2021. Senior receiver JJ Conrad was all-league first team last season. He leads a fine group of receivers that includes junior Dylan Gardner and senior Jayden Flaig. Senior middle linebacker Wyatt Mosier was a league defensive player of the year last season.

11. JSerra (3-8)

12. La Habra (6-6)

13. San Juan Hills (3-7)

14. Cypress (10-3)

15. Capistrano Valley (6-5)

16. Tesoro (2-8)

17. Tustin (7-4)

18. Villa Park (7-4)

19. El Modena (8-5)

20. Foothill (10-2)

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21. Orange (7-4)

22. Newport Harbor (7-8)

23. Huntington Beach (4-6)

24. Canyon (3-7)

25. Santa Ana (8-3)