For a majority of high school football players, their dreams of playing a game inside an NFL stadium will remain just that.
But dreams will become reality Friday at 5 p.m., when the Corona and Hillcrest football teams square off in a 2025 season opener at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for this program and everyone getting this chance,” Corona senior linebacker Michael Edgerton said. “I know we’re all excited.”
This contest is part of a series of 12 high school games presented by Playbook Sports, a software company based in New Jersey, in partnership with SoFi Stadium. Upland will be the third Inland high school football team to play at SoFi Stadium this season. The Highlanders face Charter Oak in a 5 p.m. game Thursday, Aug, 28.
Corona coach Andy Diaz said Playbook Sports has been helping put on events like this for a handful of years. The company’s goal, Diaz said, is to give teams who ordinarily might not have the opportunity to play in a large stadium that chance. It started with games on the East Coast, then the Midwest and now the West Coast.
“Some of the things we teach players is to treat everybody with respect and never burn bridges,” Diaz said. “You never know in life when a connection will pay off.”
Diaz made a connection with an LA Rams’ employee more than a decade ago. That person reached out to Diaz when hearing about these games at SoFi Stadium. Diaz jumped at the chance to give his players this experience. News of the game first was announced by Diaz on his X account on July 25.
There was one problem, however. Hillcrest was supposed to host the Panthers in the season opener. So Diaz quickly reached out to Hillcrest coach Travis Carter.
Carter was skeptical at first, having not heard much about the company sponsoring this event. He ran it by his administration and the Alvord Unified School District. After a few more conversations, the contract was secured. Carter said giving up a home game is not ideal, but this was a case where an exception was warranted.
“We’re losing gate money and snack bar money, but that’s a sacrifice you’re willing to make to give these kids an experience they’ll all remember,” Carter explained.
Hillcrest senior quarterback Matthew Ramos was among players on both teams who at first did not believe the news was real.
“Corona posted that, and we said, ‘Wait, that’s when we play them,’” Ramos said. “Coach Carter didn’t tell us much for about two weeks, so we all were left on edge. At one practice, he even said that the game wasn’t going to happen. Then he told us he was just kidding and that we were playing at SoFi. Everyone got so excited.
“I’m getting chills right know just thinking about the game. This is one of those experiences that you will get to tell your kids in the future. We’re all thankful for this.”
Corona senior running back and linebacker Michael Cornejo is a New Orleans Saints fan and has attended two games at SoFi Stadium in the past.
“I loved the experience, just watching a game there,” Cornejo said. “I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like to be down there on the field and playing there.”
Hillcrest senior offensive lineman Isaiah Davis said he and has family are lifelong fans of the Rams. They have attended games before, but never at SoFi Stadium.
“It’s crazy to think that the first time my family goes there, I’ll be the one out there playing,” Davis said. “I’m not going to lie. I think I am going to get very emotional.”
Carter and Diaz will be suiting up their entire varsity and junior varsity squads for the game, so approximately 140 players will get to enjoy this unique experience.
General admission tickets for these games are $29 for students and $41 for adults. VIP tickets also can be purchased for $71. Parking for the games will be $10.
Hillcrest will have three rooter buses joining the team, band and cheerleaders. Corona also will have a rooter bus accompanying the team, cheerleaders and band.
Originally Published: August 19, 2025 at 3:00 PM PDT