Downey beats Gahr to share volleyball league title
DOWNEY – The Downey High School girls’ volleyball team is the 2018 San Gabriel Valley League co-champion with Gahr after defeating Gahr, 3-2, in their league finale.
Both teams finished league play with records of 9-1 but Downey earned the number one league entry due to their second round of league play win against Gahr.
Downey defeated Crescenta Villa 3-0 at Downey on October 18th in the first round and defeated Villa Park at Villa Park 3-1 (22-25, 26-24, 26-24 and 26-24) in their second round game on Monday. The Lady Vikings hosted Xavier Prep of Palm Desert at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday for their quarterfinal round game (score unavailable at press time).
Xavier Prep (28-7, 10-0) defeated Valley Christian 3-1 on October 18th at Xavier Prep, defeated Elsinore 3-0 (25-13, 25-23 and 25-14) on October 20th and played the Lady Vikings on Wednesday night. Xavier Prep is the Desert Empire League champion.
The winner of the Downey/Xavier Prep game will play the winner of the Quartz Hill/San Marino game in the semifinal round.
Things are certainly heating up in postseason play. Coach McCarthy, his staff and players are all looking forward to advancing to the next round.
The Downey boys’ volleyball team won C.I.F. last season and the girls are looking to do the same this season.
WARREN GIRLS TENNIS: The Warren High School girls’ tennis team is the 2018 San Gabriel Valley League champion.
The Bears finished their regular season schedule with an overall record of 14-2 were an undefeated 12-0 in league play. Warren is currently hosting league finals.
The singles tournament was played on Tuesday, the doubles tournament was played on Wednesday and the S.G.V.L. Finals individual tournament was played on Thursday (results unavailable at press time).
Coach Starksen, her staff and players are all looking forward to finishing league finals on a strong note and making a deep run in C.I.F. postseason play. Brackets will be revealed this weekend as to when and where matches will be played.
Warren has earned a first round home match and will find out Sunday who they will host.
WARREN UNIFIED CHEER: Warren High School’s Unified Cheer Team performed at the Downey/Warren football game last Friday night at Downey.
Warren High School Athletic Director Samantha Miyahara said, “15 special needs students cheered alongside our general education students.”
Miyahara continued by saying, “so many families have expressed that they never thought their son or daughter would have the opportunity to participate in anything and it was truly inspiring.” Miyahara concluded by saying, “on Friday night we were able to bring what seemed like an impossibility to actuality.”
Samantha Miyahara thanked Warren staff members Letty Anaya, Liz Dolmos, Rachel Palmer, Amanda Peck and Aaron Tidwell for making this special event possible.
DOWNEY FOOTBALL: The Downey High School football team hosted cross-town rival Warren last Friday night at Downey and were defeated, 48-28.
With the loss the Vikings fell to 4-5 overall and 2-2 in S.G.V.L. play. With the win the Bears improved to 6-3 overall and 3-1 in league play.
Downey hosted Gahr yesterday and Warren hosted Dominguez as well. Downey needs to beat Gahr to earn a playoff spot and Warren has already clinched a postseason playoff spot with their win at Downey.
WARREN FOOTBALL: The Warren High School football team traveled to cross-town rival Downey last Friday night and came away with a 48-28 win, clinching a postseason berth.
The win at Downey also marked the first time Warren has defeated Downey at Downey since 1998, some 20 years and nine games. The Bears have also earned city bragging rights in football until next season.
In the Warren/Downey game the Vikings jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead but Warren answered right back and took a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Bears added 12 more points in the second quarter and took that 26-7 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Bears outscored Downey 8-7 in the third quarter and led 34-14 entering the fourth quarter. Each team scored 14 points in the fourth quarter and Warren came away with the 48-28 win.
Bear quarterback Chris Venegas passed for 249 yards and five touchdowns. For his efforts Venegas was recognized on the popular sports show “Roggin’s Heroes.” The Bear receiving corps were led by Desmond Carnes’ 29-yard touchdown catch and Keison Evans’ two touchdown catches of 7 and 24 yards, respectively. Other Warren passing, rushing, receiving and defensive stats were unavailable at press time.
Coach Lara, his staff and players are all looking forward to finishing league play strong by beating Dominguez and making a deep run in the C.I.F. Division 7 playoffs.