Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now
INGLEWOOD — Yorba Linda’s football journey under coach Jeff Bailey notched another memorable experience Thursday by opening the season at SoFi Stadium.
After running onto the home field of the NFL’s Rams and Chargers, the Mustangs scored in all three phases — offense, defense and special teams — to collect a 41-0 victory against Mayfair.
Yorba Linda, a two-time CIF-SS champion under Bailey, led 27-0 at halftime and invoked a running clock in the second half against the No. 6-ranked team by the Long Beach Press-Telegram.
“Playing at SoFi is obviously a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Yorba Linda cornerback Thomas Knutson, who returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown in the second half. “It’s amazing. NFL players get to play here every day, and this probably my first and last time ever playing in a NFL stadium. Hopefully not.”
“It’s really fun to be out here with my team,” the senior added. “We’ve really been putting in the work all summer long, and it just feels really rewarding.”
Bailey, Yorba Linda’s first coach since his hire in 2009, indeed viewed the chance to play at the state-of-the-art, 70,000-seat venue as a reward for his squad, ranked No. 10 in Orange County.
“They’re awesome kids, man,” Bailey said. “They’re playing hard. They’re getting better every year.”
“We’re just humble,” the coach added. “We just work our butts off, have fun and we’re doing some cool stuff. The kids are into it and they’re doing good things.”
Yorba Linda sophomore Isaiah Trujillo used the SoFi Stadium turf to continue his rise.
The running back scored the first touchdown on a 47-yard run on a third-and-6 play with 4:26 left in the first quarter.
Trujillo raced through a massive hole on the right side of the line and spiked the ball in the end zone.
“I was very excited. I should have controlled my temper a little bit but it was a great feeling,” said Trujillo, who rushed for 69 yards and two scores on four carries.
“I’ve always been wanting to play (here),” he added. “I’ve been here a couple of times. It’s a beautiful stadium. I’m just blessed.”
Cornerback Jake Lopez played a pivotal role for Yorba Linda’s defense, which posted its first shutout since a 39-0 win against San Juan Hills in 2022.
On the second play from scrimmage after Trujillo’s TD run, Lopez returned an interception about 50 yards for a touchdown and a 13-0 lead.
Lopez, a three-year starter, closed the half with a tackle on third-and-goal from the Yorba Linda 1.
About two minutes earlier, Yorba Linda’s defense held Mayfair running back Daveante Mann Jr. on a fourth-and-2 from its 6.
“They’re physical,” Mayfair coach Derek Bedell said of Yorba Linda, a CIF-SS semifinalist last season in Division 2. “That’s their identity, and if you’re going to try and utilize your speed like we tried to do, you can’t miss in short-yardage situations.”
Knutson showcased his speed to set the stage for the fourth-and-2 stop. On the first play of the drive, he chased down Mann at the Mustangs 15 after the senior broke a 70-yard run.
Knutson capped the scoring by grabbing a deflection on a punt return and racing 55 yards with about five minutes left in the third. It was his first career touchdown.
Trujillo’s brother Noah started at quarterback and tossed touchdowns to tight end Jordan McCormack early in the second quarter and wideout Troy Roberts on the opening possession of the second half.
“1-0 at SoFi,” Bailey joked to his players afterward. “It’s just a great experience.”
Next week, Yorba Linda will experience another first by playing Edison in a road game on Thursday, Aug. 28, at Huntington Beach High.
Last season, the teams clashed for the first time in a nonleague game at Yorba Linda High. The Mustangs won 22-21.
Edison, a reigning state champion, opens its season Friday against Clovis West at Huntington Beach High.
Orange County football will return to SoFi Stadium on Aug. 29 when district rivals Pacifica and Garden Grove clash at 8:30 p.m.