As the high school football season progresses into Week Three, five area teams remain undefeated, showcasing strong starts to their campaigns. These teams include Huntington Beach, Orange, Pacifica, Rancho Alamitos, and La Quinta.
Huntington Beach, with a 3-0 record, is set to travel on Thursday to play the Redondo Union Sea Hawks, who also hold a 3-0 record. Orange, also 3-0, will host Locke of Los Angeles (0-1) on Thursday night. Pacifica, maintaining a 3-0 start, will host Claremont (1-2) on Friday. Rancho Alamitos, with a 2-0 record, will play Garden Grove (0-3) on Friday. La Quinta, also 2-0, is scheduled to host Magnolia (1-1) on Thursday.
The game between Garden Grove and Rancho Alamitos has a long history, having been played almost annually since 1958, with the teams having traded victories and losses over the years. However, the Garden Grove Argonauts are currently experiencing an uncharacteristic slump. Over three games so far this season, Grove has been outscored 92-19. Since the start of the 2024 season, the Argonauts have recorded four wins and 19 losses. This current downturn follows a period of significant success for the team, which included winning two CIF-SS championships and nine league titles in 10 seasons.
Other area teams have a full schedule of games this week, with all games scheduled for 7 p.m. kickoffs unless otherwise noted. On Thursday, Santiago (1-1) will play at Savanna (2-1), and Western (0-3) will be at Aliso Niguel (0-3). Friday's schedule includes Bolsa Grande (1-2) at Santa Ana Valley (3-0), Edison (1-2) hosting Palos Verdes (3-0), Los Amigos (1-1) at Redlands (0-3), Marina (0-3) visiting Cerritos (0-3), and Westminster (2-1) hosting Canyon Springs (2-1).
Tackle football is not the only gridiron sport active this fall for local high schools. Girls’ flag football is also underway, with every West Orange County school fielding a team this season.
Huntington Beach High's girls’ flag football team has also seen success, holding a 7-2 record. The Oilers are participating in the MaxPreps Flag Football Showdown tournament and are set to face the San Marcos Knights (6-0) on Friday afternoon. The Huntington Beach team recently secured a notable 16-15 victory in triple overtime against district rival Edison on September 2. Senior Roxie Shaia leads the HBHS team, having passed for 230 yards and two scores in that particular game, and is also noted as a running threat, averaging eight yards per carry.
