DOWNEY - The Downey High School football team improved it's record to 3-2 with a 31-21 victory over the visiting Oxnard Yellowjackets.The Vikings have now completed their pre-season schedule and will not play Friday, but will open league play next week, Oct. 5, at home against cross-town rival Warren. In the meantime, Coach Williams, his staff and his team will rest up, get some players healthy and get ready for a tough league schedule. Oxnard raced out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter before Viking senior Jeremy Villa returned a Yellowjacket punt for a touchdown with :43 seconds left. The extra point was good and the Vikings cut Oxnard's lead in half as the first quarter came to a close. The two teams exchanged the ball and field position the entire second quarter with neither team scoring. It appeared Downey had a drive going right before halftime but the Yellowjacket defense intercepted a Viking pass at the Oxnard 19 yard line with :59 seconds left. The Yellowjackets ran out the clock and took a 14-7 lead into the locker room at halftime. Oxnard kicked off to Downey to start the third quarter. The Vikings moved the ball down the field and scored on a Matthew Gonzalez 4th down and 2 run at the 7:33 mark of the third quarter. The extra point was good and Downey tied the score at 14. Just over two minutes had elapsed since the Vikings scored in the third quarter when Oxnard was forced to punt again. Jeremey Villa returned a Yellowjacket punt 65 yards for his second special teams touchdown of the game at the 5:10 mark. The extra point was good, Downey now had the momentum, and took a 21-14 lead. The score remained that way as the third quarter came to a close. Downey added to their lead at the 10:41 mark of the fourth quarter on a rushing touchdown by senior Matthew Gonzalez, his second of the game. The extra point was good and Downey led 28-14. The Viking defense continued to play strong and once again, regained possession as Oxnard was forced to punt. Viking kicker Mario Galvan sealed the win with a 37 yard field goal at the 5:11 mark of the fourth quarter. The game now stood 31-14 Downey, a three possession game. Oxnard did score a late touchdown with :07 seconds left. The extra point was good but Downey won the game 31-21. Viking quarterbacks Jorge Reyna and Conor Hill combined to complete 7/12 passes for 93 yards with one interception. The rushing attack was led by Matthew Gonzalez's nine carries for 112 yards, Eric Carrillo's nine carries for 45 yards, Jorge Reyna's five carries for 51 yards, Tristan Esparza's two carries for 25 yards, Conor Hill's two carries for 14 yards and Justin Duran's one carry for 5 yards. Downey's rushing attacked accumulated an impressive 252 yards on 28 carries. The Viking passing attack was led by Jeremy Villa's two catches for 66 yards, Justin Duran's two catches for 4 yards, Tristan Esparza's one catch for 12 yards, Eric Carrillo's one catch for 6 yards and Jonathan Swindell's one catch for 5 yards. The Viking defense was led by Robert Salazar's four solo and 15 assisted tackles, Anthony Florido's one solo and nine assisted tackles, Hector Walker's two solo and six assisted tackles and Patrick Smith's two solo and six assisted tackles.

********** Published: September 27, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 24