In a couple of weeks, two of the legendary Southern California high school football teams will meet at SoFi Stadium. The National Football League’s Los Angeles Chargers have announced that they will host a battle between Mission Viejo and Long Beach Poly on October 4 as part of SoFi Stadium’s Friday Night Lights presented by LA Bowl hosted by Ground.
Mission Viejo is currently ranked No. 31 in the High School Football America 300 national rankings, powered by NFL Play Football. The Diablos, who won the California Division I-AA state title last year, their second, are currently 4-0.
After starting the year No. 76 in the HSFA 300, Long Beach Poly has fallen out of the national rankings after an 0-3 start. All of the losses were against teams in the Top 300 — No. 50 Folsom (California), No. 83 Serra (Gardena, California) and No. 129 Lincoln (San Diego, California).
Poly is known as the high school that has produced the most NFL players all-time. The Jackrabbits have produced 60 NFL players. There are currently four former players playing on Sundays — defensive back Alex Austin for the New England Patriots, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster for the Kansas City Chiefs, defensive Jack Jones for the Las Vegas Raiders and tight end Mercedes Lewis for the Chicago Bears.
We are excited to host two of these elite high school football programs at our world-class stadium,” Adolfo Romero, Executive Director for LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk said. “The Friday Night Lights series is dedicated to showcasing local talent, highlighting community spirit, while providing a stage for these student-athletes to shine.”
“It’s a privilege to host these two iconic teams at SoFi Stadium,” said Chargers Director of Football Development, Zac Emde. “Both Long Beach Poly and Mission Viejo have a rich history of success and are outstanding representations of high school football in Southern California. We’re excited to bring this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to these student-athletes and give them the chance to showcase themselves on the Chargers home field. This is sure to be an unforgettable experience for both the players and fans and we’re thrilled to be a part of it.”
“The upcoming matchup between Mission Viejo High School and Long Beach Poly is more than just a game—it’s a battle between two powerhouse programs, giving athletes the chance to showcase their skills on one of the sport’s biggest stages. This event embodies the passion, grit, and drive for excellence that defines high school football. It’s an opportunity for these teams to elevate their programs and make a lasting impact. I’m thrilled to partner with such outstanding schools for this unforgettable event.” said Shannon Riley, CEO of Dream Sports Group.
The LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk is committed to focusing on enhancing youth sports, education, and health and wellness. Key initiatives include improving youth literacy through access to books, exposure to STEAM education, school visits centered around physical activity and career exploration field trips to SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park.
Later in the month, the Los Angeles Rams will welcome the 89th annual East L.A. Classic to Sofi. Roosevelt and Garfield began playing each other in 1925.
