Top to bottom, the Trinity League boasts the best collection of talent in Orange County.
That’s no secret.
On Monday, it solidified itself as the top league in California and made an even more compelling case to be called the best league in the country.
When Cal-Hi Sports released its state top-25 rankings, every member of the Trinity League was on the list, the first time in the poll’s 20-plus-year history a league with six schools had each member included.
St. John Bosco, Mater Dei and Servite each stayed in their respective spots this week, coming in as California’s first-, third- and fourth-ranked squads. JSerra jumped three spots to No. 14, while Santa Margarita leapfrogged two teams to come in at No. 18.
Orange Lutheran was the only Trinity team not included in last week’s rankings, but a 42-6 showing over Yorba Linda helped the Lancers take over the No. 25 spot in the Week 3 poll.
Collectively, the Trinity League has combined to go 15-2.
BATTLE OF THE BAY
On Friday night, Corona del Mar will put its 29-game win streak on the line as its travels to take on Newport Harbor in the annual Battle of the Bay.
The Sea Kings put together another impressive performance last week with a 31-14 win over El Toro. While they extended the state’s longest current win streak, it wasn’t all good news for the Sea Kings as star running back Cole Martin left Friday’s game late in the first quarter because of a knee injury.
Coach Scott Meyer said Monday afternoon the team will know more about Martin’s availability today.
“Cole is having an MRI done on his knee,” Meyer explained. “ Obviously, we’ll have his results (today), and we’ll be able to go from there.”
Martin rushed for 1,881 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2013. Junior quarterback Peter Bush led the Sea Kings with 23 carries for 101 yards against El Toro.
Starting right tackle Mitch Dean (concussion) will be back on the field for CdM this week.
Newport Harbor (1-1), which lost to Palos Verdes, 49-28, last week, is trying to avoid back-to-back losses in the Battle of the Bay rivalry.
“I don’t know the last time that’s happened,” Meyer added. “If it’s ever happened, it doesn’t happen often.”
ANOTHER MILESTONE
Mission Viejo’s 49-20 triumph over La Habra on Friday gave Coach Bob Johnson his 300th career victory.
Johnson previously coached at Los Amigos and El Toro. He is only the fifth coach in state history to reach 300 wins.
ON THE MOVE AGAIN
After a short stint at Santa Margarita, Keyshawn Johnson Jr. has transferred again, this time to Calabasas High.
After starting the season at Mission Viejo and playing in the Diablos’ opening game, the sophomore receiver transferred to play for the Eagles.
Johnson was enrolled at Santa Margarita for all of a week before transferring to Calabasas.
Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com