A look at some of the key week zero high school football games in Orange County

(Photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

The long-awaited start of high school football in Orange County begins with week zero games on Thursday night, picks up Friday with a full schedule of games and wraps up one game Saturday.

OC Sports Zone is preparing for the start of its seventh high school football season and will once again provide game coverage with photos and stories. We will also publish full schedules for OC later this week.

Here’s a look at some of the games starting Thursday:

THURSDAY, AUG. 22:

Godinez vs. Loara at Glover Stadium: Coach Aron Kaye’s Godinez team has more depth this year and is looking for improvement. This game will start at 6:30 p.m.

Los Amigos vs. Santiago at Garden Grove: Santiago was 4-6 last year under Coach Doug Ovszath while Los Amigos was 7-5 under Coach Melo Guess.

Centennial Corona vs. Mater Dei at Santa Ana Stadium: It’s a good test for new Mater Dei Coach Raul Lara. The Monarchs are the Trinity League favorites again and expected to be one of the top teams in the CIF Southern Section and state again.

Other games include: Costa Mesa at Magnolia, Cerritos at Buena Park, Estancia at Anaheim and Katella at Valencia.

FRIDAY, AUG. 23

Murrieta Mesa at Tesoro: It will be the first game for new Titans head coach Mike Zangl, a former assistant at Tesoro.

Palm Springs at Segerstrom: Coach Joseph Tagaloa’s Jaguars have some talented returners, including running backs Noah Tagaloa and Andrew Diaz and running back/noseguard Ayden Morales. The Jaguars also welcomed Santa Ana transfer Cristian Ramos.

Irvine vs. Northwood at Portola: Northwood’s Joseph Harper is at full strength after a wrist injury last year and is ready to lead the Timberwolves in the non-league game. Deacon Moss and Brandon “Figgy” Figueroa and quarterback Khoa Bui lead Irvine. Northwood normally plays its home games at Irvine Stadium, the home of the Irvine Vaqueros. But Coach J.C. Clarke’s Timberwolves opted to play the opener at Portola. Portola is on the road at Long Beach Wilson.

El Toro at Tustin: Tustin football legend and UCLA football coach DeShaun Foster will be inducted into the Tustin Football Hall of Fame at halftime.

Paramount vs. Santa Ana at Santa Ana Stadium: It will be the first game for new Santa Ana coach Luis Cruz, who takes over for Rory Schoonmaker.

Calvary Chapel vs. Woodbridge at University: Woodbridge, led by Aaron Craver, looks for improvement this season.

Other games include: Marina at Westminster, Crean Lutheran at Mullen, Colo., Saddleback at Tri-City Christian, Gabrielino at Century, Beckman at Santa Ana Valley, Western at Los Alamitos, Orange at Huntington Beach, Dana Hills vs. Canyon at Fred Kelly Stadium; Kennedy vs. Pacifica at Bolsa Grande; Portola at Long Beach Wilson, Fountain Valley at Ocean View; Sierra Canyon at JSerra, Brea Olinda vs. Sonora at La Habra, Troy vs. Sunny Hills at Buena Park, La Mirada vs. Cypress at Western and Laguna Hills at Aliso Niguel.

SATURDAY, AUG. 24:

Santa Margarita at Mission Viejo: Mission Viejo, the defending CIF Division 2 champion and Division 1-AA champion, opened the season Saturday with a 41-7 victory over Kamehameha Kapalama of Hawaii.

Full schedules will be published later this week; source CIF Southern Section; send changes and football news to timburt@ocsportszone.com