DOWNEY – With the high school football season just getting underway, both Downey and Warren are off and running for 2022.

Downey opened the season last week with a 41-10 setback at Corona del Mar and plays its second consecutive game on the road, as they travel to El Toro Friday (August 26) for a non-league game. Warren will host last years’ Del Rio League champion La Serna also on Friday.

Downey finished second to Warren in the San Gabriel Valley League, as the Bears won the game between the two local teams with a 26-16 victory last season before over 8,000 fans.

Both teams will have big-time NCAA DI commits in Nico Lamaleava (Tennessee) of Warren and Aidan Chiles (Oregon St.) of Downey.

Downey welcomes back Chiles, who missed the final six games with an injury last season. Chiles transferred in to Downey in his sophomore year from Los Alamitos. Lamaleava briefly left Warren and attended Long Beach Poly in the second semester this past January, but later this summer came back to Warren for his senior year.

Both teams will begin competition in the newly formed Suburban Valley Conference, which is divided into two divisions – an upper and lower level.

Both Warren and Downey are in the upper division, which is called Gateway. It also includes La Mirada, Paramount. Mayfair and Dominguez.

Of course, the big game as usual – Downey vs. Warren – will still take place in game number eight on the schedule, Friday October 14 at Warren.

Downey season preview

“I think if we can stay healthy, we end up in the hunt for a league title,” said Downey coach Jack Williams, who enters his 13th year. “Our captains have been great leaders who lead by example and the team respects them, so we get some good results. They have really guided these guys.”

The captains for this season are: BJ Carey, Chiles, Ian Hernandez and David Perez.

“We are still trying to find an identity on both sides of the ball. It’s really hard when we have been hit with the injury bug,” Williams said.

In the loss to CDM, six starters were out, with five of them being two-way players.

“Last week was a rough one as we started four freshman (against CDM) and one of them had to move from starting defensive line to safety after the first quarter,” Williams said.

Downey took a 7-6 lead in the first quarter, but it was all CDM after that as the Sea Kings scored 21 second-quarter points, while the Vikings’ senior kicker Isaac Madrid connected for a 39-yard field goal.

“Special teams were one of our good points from Friday’s game,” added Williams. “Punter Logan Bledsoe does a good job with our rugby punt that averages 42 yards a punt.”

CDM led 27-10 at the half and added another two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

Downey is looking to Chiles to lead the way.

“It feels great to be back,” said Chiles, of his injury and missed games from last year. “It was a little hiccup coming back, but at the same time it feels fine to me. I’m having a fun time right now and I’m just trying to get through the season and stay healthy.

“The team is going to be good and week eight (Downey vs. Warren), I’ve been waiting for.

“This year we have a real shot of going far in the playoffs.”

Chiles ran for 77 yards in the opener, along with 12 of 18 for 101 yards and a touchdown to Carey (2 receptions for 48 yards).

“Our offense is led by Aidan, who is much improved from last year and has a full grasp of the offense,” Williams said. “With the arm of Aidan and his football IQ in putting us in the right spot, our offense should be very successful this year.

“He has great command of the huddle. He’s excited to be back and he’s getting better out here.”

Returning at wide receiver is Hernandez and Carey, while a “two-head monster”, as Williams describes them, will lead the running game with seniors Keion Andrew and Jaylen Crutchfield.

The offensive line will be anchored by juniors David Perez and Demetrio Sandoval and Garfield senior transfer, Aaron Flores.

As for the defense, Williams has assembled some new faces.

“We have a whole new defensive staff,” he said. “It will take some time for our defense to get familiar with how different our old and new staff is,”

The defense Is led by linebackers Andrew Reyes, Rodney Hala and Santa Fe transfer Pedro Debora, along with returning safety Carey.

“We will be young up front on the defensive line where we will start two freshman, Oscar (aka Debo) Aguliar and Ivan Jimenez,” Williams added.

The game-one stand out up front was Micah McNeil. The corners will be Andrew and newcomer Angelo Miranda. Crutchfield and freshman Xavier Rivas will fight for the other safety reps.

“I try to put us in position to be ready for league,” Williams said. “All of our (non-league) opponents give us something that we try to incorporate for league.”

“Opening up with CDM tests you mentally, physically and coaches,” said Williams, of the schedule. “You schedule that game regardless, because they are going to put you in situations and I can see how our quarterback reacts. This week is no different with El Toro, and next week we got Jurupa Hills, which is a lot like (league opponent) Dominguez Hills, a lot of athletes kind of run the wing.

“After that we have Cal, which does a good job of testing our run game and then we have St. Paul, which is very physical and then we’ll get ready for league.”

“We went with the Suburban League and it’s the top six from both leagues (Suburban and SGV),” explained Williams.

“There is no easy game in this new league. Every game is going to be a battle from week six to week 10.”

“But, I’m excited,” Williams concluded. “I like the group of guys. They are a good group of kids that work hard. They are here to play for each other.”

Warren season preview

The Bears will rally around Lamaleava and his supporting cast.

“You got to start with Nico,” Warren coach Kevin Pearson said. “Nico is so gifted in so many ways. You talk about his size (6-6). There is no one better than him in the country in his class.

“He has everything to be special – his work ethic, his intelligence. He’s just special.”

Lamaleava will have the best receiver, Jordan Ross, a transfer from Pacifica, who will be his main target. Ross, a junior, has numerous offers, led by Notre Dame. Ross’ younger brother, Jalen, is a freshman wide receiver and will play a lot.

Another top receiver Sahfee Yasin-Spann will bolster up the receiving corps.

Both running backs will return – Marcus Higgs and Romeo Clark.

“They are both strong and run extremely hard,” Pearson said. “They are big backs that could break the long run and are pretty complete backs.”

Lamaleava will have an all-new group of starting linemen in front of him.

The three stand outs are juniors – Rogelio Baca (Tackle), Aaron Galicia (G) and Dallas Jackson (C).

“These guys are good,” Pearson said. “The linemen are very inexperienced, but I believe they will be better by the end of the year and more athletic.

“What’s going to help our young offensive line,” said Pearson, “….is Nico will understand where the pressure is coming from.”

On defense, it was huge last year and did a lot of good things for us.

Leading the way is junior defensive end J.T. Houston, who has started every game and has received offers, that include Fresno State.

The other DE is 6-5 senior, Nate Gonzales, who is the “most improved player in our program and has offers,” Pearson added.

In the secondary, is another player that has started every game since his freshman year – Jo Jo Jones. Senior safety Darius Cowens has committed to Colorado State. “Jones was going to be our quarterback, until Nico came back from Long Beach Poly.

Senior safety/linebacker and three-year starter, Daniel Cassidy has also had numerous offers.

In addition, Scooter Jackson is headed to Tennessee State and Williams said – “….. he is one of the best corners I’ve ever had. He’s a lock-down corner.”

Pearson said of the new league format: “This league is very competitive with La Mirada a very athletic team, along with Mayfair and Warren and Dominguez is very much improved.

“Literally, four of the six teams have a chance at a league champion. It’s great for the community.”