When Cove Coronado’s plans to play for the high school football team changed, the Lancaster High School senior pivoted to become the school’s pioneering competitive Madden player and a top-ranked Madden Ultimate Team player.
Alongside the support of Head Esports Coach, Mario Villalobos, Cove was capable of carving a unique journey to channel his passion for football that turned into a catalyst for personal growth.
A New Game Plan
When Cove transferred to Lancaster High School in his senior year, his original goal was to join the football team. Having started playing football at the age of 6, Cove had built a true love and passion for the game. Over the years, he played on teams with undefeated seasons, was featured in the local newspaper, and earned MVP honors at the LA Chargers and Rams football camps at Sofi Stadium.
However, when his transfer paperwork for the team was declined, Cove’s 10 years of playing had hit a roadblock. Faced with this obstacle, Cove chose not to miss a beat. With a long-standing interest in competitive Madden and after he saw that Lancaster had an esports program, Cove knew he had found the perfect place to pivot and leave his mark. That season, Cove became Lancaster Esports’ first-ever Madden player.
“Competing in esports, particularly as the first Madden player at my school, brought a new sense of excitement and honor to my high school experience.”
Having successfully established the program several years prior, Coach Villalobos was excited at the prospect of expanding the team’s roster to include Madden NFL 26 and givinge a new student a path for success, just as it had for so many of his other students.
“Esports has the potential to be a program of the future,” Mario shared, “because you don’t have to be a five-star athlete… anybody can compete in their favorite game”.
The Madden Transition: “It’s All a Chess Match”
When Cove played football, he primarily held the position of center,a position that required a high-demanding football IQ. He fondly remembers his favorite moment: winning back-to-back undefeated seasons and Super Bowls with his team.
Before joining the esports program, Cove’s Madden journey began about five years ago, inspired to try playing after watching his father’s own passion for the game. Cove learned quickly to hone his skills in the game, incorporating much of what he was learning on the field at the time into his offensive and defensive strategy as well as play calling.
In transferring his skills from the field to the sticks, for Cove, Madden isn’t just a game; it’s an advanced film room. The virtual experience provided him with a deeper understanding of game strategy, specifically how to beat different coverages and how linemen set up their blocks. Through Ultimate Team, Cove also learned about the legends of the sport and studied their techniques to improve my own skills. For example, Cove discovered Reggie White’s famous hump move in Madden, practiced it in-game, and then studied how to stop it on the field.
“Going into the film room,” Cove recalled, “the coaching staff mentioned slide protecting and iding the blitz, and I already knew so much more than that just from playing Madden… I was already so much more advanced than everybody else in that room. It was ridiculous.”
When competing, Cove’s team of choice has become the Baltimore Ravens for their stout defense and versatile offense featuring Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. In approaching a match, Cove treats it like a deep dive into film study. He analyzes his opponent’s past scores and tendencies to assess their offense, all while maintaining supreme confidence in his own strategic attacks.
Cove’s Madden preparation also continues to be a family affair, as he spends 30 minutes before every match practicing with his dad, who runs specific blitz packages to prepare him for tournament play.
“I get to see how it breaks down into a chess match,” Cove explains. “This improves your overall game sense in a way.”
Leaving a Legacy as a Leader
As a senior and a team captain, Cove’s greatest contribution to the Lancaster esports program has been to his teammates. Though he naturally keeps to himself, he pushed outside his comfort zone to recruit others to compete in Madden and even mentor a freshman teammate, a clear sign of leadership.
Looking ahead, Cove hopes his Madden success will inspire others to continue the program. More than any trophy, he wants his legacy to be defined by his character:
“I would like to be remembered for how I was as a person, being a leader, more than just my gameplay,” Cove said.Cove’s love for Madden will not end with his high school journey. He will continue to hone his skills and shoot for a ranking in Madden Ultimate Team as well as be a mentor to the next generation of esports members. We have not heard the last from Cove.
“Madden has taken my love for football and magnified it. It gives everyone—no matter their athletic ability, age, gender, or challenges—the chance to step into the game and become All-Madden. For me, it’s more than just competition; it’s a way to stay connected to the sport I love and to keep pushing myself to be the best.”
