​No. 16 Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, CA) and Orange Lutheran (CA) are striving to make statements in the Golden State. Orange Lutheran, a 3-1 team, is hovering outside the Super 25 national rankings and is on the brink of entrance. Sierra Canyon, firmly in the middle of the national rankings, could strengthen its claim as one of California’s best with a win over this talented Trinity League squad.Before the game, an NFL legend spoke to the Trailblazers. Rob Gronkowski, who was one of the best NFL tight ends ever over his career with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, popped by the Sierra Canyon locker room to give some advice and motivation.”You’ll remember these nights for the rest of your lives,” he said.Gronkowski emphasized being accountable “every single day,” trusting in one’s teammates and one’s self, and taking care of the body, something he said he wished he understood better at an earlier age. The clip was posted to X by LA Daily News’ Ethan Hanson.New England Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski speaks to Sierra Canyon players before the Trailblazers take on Orange Lutheran. pic.twitter.com/74uWeyPEzS— Ethan Hanson (@EthanAHanson) September 19, 2026Sierra Canyon, which went 10-1 last year, enters the game 3-0 with a win over Florida power Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, FL). The Trailblazers and Orange Lutheran alike are in the West Region Super 15, representing some of the best teams in the west coast and nation.Orange Lutheran went 3-9, but that was in part due to two vacated wins that turned into forfeit losses and an extremely difficult schedule. Its 3-1 start comes with a loss to Central (Miami, FL) and a win over Basha (Chandler, AZ).This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: California high school football team receives pregame speech from NFL legend