Quarterbacks set to clash in Downey-Warren rivalry game
Aidan Chiles, left, and Nico Iamaleava are both leading their respective teams to successful seasons. (Left photo by Alex Dominguez, right photo by Keith Durflinger)
DOWNEY – For the 65th consecutive year, one of the oldest and best rivalries – Downey-Warren - in Southern California, and maybe in the whole state, will fill the stadium at Warren High School tonight (Friday October 14).
It’s finally here - the Bears versus the Vikings. Friday night lights. The Gateway League title is on the line. Two big time senior quarterbacks – Nico Lamaleava – Warren - (Committed to the University of Tennessee) and Aidan Chiles – Downey - (Committed to Oregon State University). All the pageantry, with an overflow crowd of over 9,000 fans expected. In addition, a Southern California television audience will be watching.
In one of the biggest cross-town games in California, it has it all. And it all began in 1958.
And it’s all separated by just over a mile between the two schools.
Last year there was more than 8,500 fans at Downey, as Warren won 26-16.
One of the biggest games this season, St. John Bosco versus Mater Dei, was at the Santa Ana Bowl last week and over 9,000 fans were in attendance.
Downey and Warren have been nearly even over the years, with Warren having a slight edge at 35 wins to Downey’s 29.
Downey’s biggest win was a 60-0 shutout in 2013, while Warren had won 47-0 in 1968. Warren has a slight edge in shutouts with six, while the Vikings have five.
Warren has won the last four in a row going back to 2018.
Before that, Downey had won seven of eight dating back to 2010.
The two longest winning streaks were by Warren, with two runs of eight in a row (’63-’70 and ’72-’79), broken up by a Downey win (’71) in the middle.
The Vikings longest streak was five in a row from 2010-2014, including nine of 11 from ‘2004 to 2014.
Downey coaches - 12 coaches since 1958, with coach Grant Warhurst (14 years) with the longest stint. Jack Williams is second, currently in his 13th year.
Warren coaches – 14 coaches since 1958 – Jeff Welch (’93-’01, ’06-’07) and Randy Drake (’76-’84).
“It’s more than just a game,” Warren Athletic Director Samantha Miyahara said. “Every year is special. It never loses power and it still takes my breath away. It is more than a normal football game.
“It’s usually anybody’s game, no matter what their records were at the time.”
Miyahara remembers one particular year that sticks out.
“I remember one year,” she said. “We went into the game and took our lumps that season.
“We ended up losing that game, but it was thrilling. The crowd can take over and there are so many factors.”
In the spring of 2021 (2020 season), only immediate family were in the stands, with Downey hosting that game. Downey was given the home field again in the Fall of 2021, because of that 2021 game with limited fans allowed.
“It’s the most underrepresented rivalry in Southern California,” Miyahara added. “It makes us an insulated rivalry.
“It is so community-based, with two high schools within a mile of each other. You can rank the rivalries in Southern California and it is not mentioned.
We should be in the top 10 at least.”
Spirit Week at both schools is the whole week.
“It’s just amazing,” Miyahara said. “The spirit and energy is so amazing.”
There is a night rally on Wednesday at Warren with the drum line playing and skits throughout the rally. There is also a lunch rally and many other functions throughout the week.
Warren coach, Kevin Pearson, is in his 27th year as a head coach at three different high schools. Pearson is in his fourth year at Warren. Kevin Pearson’s brother, Scott Pearson, is the current head varsity baseball coach.
“It was the best kept secret in high school football in Southern California,” Pearson said. “The cat’s out of the bag after we were on TV last year.
“It’s just a phenomenal experience, not just to coach, but the student bodies, the faculty and staff and community is just a really exciting situation for everybody.
“You have a proud city in Downey and two high schools that are really good in football and a great district who loves kids. You put all that together and you have this great event.
Downey quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) and Madden Iamaleava (10) against Warren in their San Gabriel Valley League football game at Downey High School last year. Warren defeated Downey 26-16. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
Gateway League title at stake
“Probably a league championship will come out of this game like it did last year,” Pearson said. “It’s not just bragging rights for some of these kids, there are family implications and CIF implications. It’s much bigger than just a rivalry, which makes it even more exciting.”
Mark Rand, who has been at Downey High practically his whole life – Actually just from his freshman year until today said: “We’re Downey through and through,” said Rand, who actually was a little emotional just thinking about his many years associated with the school.
Rand played basketball and volleyball and was a part of the rivalry in those sports.
“This week, obviously the kids need their education, but there’s that fun party atmosphere,” he added.
“We’re both tied for first place in league so far, but it’s more the city bragging rights. At the Rotary Club luncheon on Tuesday, the Downey Unified School District Superintendent, John Garcia, was describing to the student athletes saying, ‘embrace this because this is an event you will never forget. You’ll be telling your grandkids about this one day.’”
Garcia graduated from Downey and played in the Downey-Warren game for two years on varsity.
Rand continued, “There are a lot of high school rivalries, but for the scale of what this is, it’s unique.”
A few athletes from both schools, some of the cheerleaders, along with the head coaches and other dignitaries attended the annual Rotary Club luncheon, which is held at the Rio Hondo Country Club.
“It’s a chance, I guess you can say, before the storm, we get together and break bread,” Rand added.
Another unique event is the two school bands making an appearance at the Downey School District office.
Each band will walk and play music on its way through the school and the neighborhood to the district office then walk back to each respective campus.
“As far as community involvement, it’s much greater now,” Rand said. “Our school district has done a great job creating an atmosphere, that if you miss this event, you’re going to regret it.”
Downey quarterback, Aidan Chiles, who will actually play in his first cross-town game, is chomping at the bit for this game, as he circled it on his calendar a year ago after missing part of his junior year with an injury.
“I know what this is like because I was on the sidelines last year,” said Chiles, who was at Los Alamitos as a sophomore and injured and couldn’t play in the big game in 2021 at Downey. “It’s a big one for me. It’s not a revenge thing, it’s a rivalry game and I just want to chill out.
“It’s a big atmosphere, especially going to a DI football team (Oregon State). It’s taking a step towards that goal. It’s a big deal for all of us. Everybody gets to see what it’s like going to the next level. It’s amazing and I love our fans and the fan base and everybody on campus. I’d love to come out with a win. Playing in the game is a big thing. It was sad not playing last year. It was very frustrating, just being on the sidelines.”
Downey quarterback Aiden Chiles (2) looks at film during the game at St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs on Friday. Downey defeated St. Paul 44-23. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
Team stats
Rushing yards per game - Downey 224, Warren 139; Passing yards per game – 249, Warren 247; Total yards per game – Downey 473, Warren 386; Points per game – Downey 42, Warren 36.
Scoring by quarters – Both teams are nearly equal in each quarter.
Individual stats
Individual stats – Nico Lamaleava, Warren - 72 for 124, 1,190 yds, 17 TDs, 4 Int.; Aidan Chiles, Downey – 87 for 114, 1,546 yds., 20 TDs, 2 Int.; Team rushing, Warren – 110 carries for 977 yards. Individual rushing, Warren – Romeo Clark – 30 carries for 309 yds., 6 TDs; Marcus Higgs – 34 carries for 296 yds., 4 TDs; Nico Lamaleava – 22 carries for 218 yds., 4 TDs; Team rushing – Downey – 140 carries for 1,569 yds., Individual rushing – Downey – Keion Andrew – 22 carries for 370 yds., 5 TDs; Aidan Chiles – 24 for 306 yds., 3 TDs; Marco Navarrete – 25 for 237 yds., 3 TDs; Team receiving – Warren – 90 catches for 1,623 yds., 21 TDs; Darius Cowens – 23 for 472 yds., 4 TDs; Jeremiah Ingram – 12 carries for 244 yds., 2 TDs; Lucas Reynoso - 14 for 194 yds., 3 TDs; Team receiving - Downey – 101 for 1,743 yds., Individual receiving – Bryant Carey - 30 for 657 yds., Ian Hernandez – 22 for 368 yds., Manuel Albidrez – 12 for 161 yds.
Warren Girls Volleyball defeats Downey for Gateway title
On the Warren campus Tuesday was another rivalry. It was the girls volleyball game that decided the Gateway League title.
The Bears, which won their first championship in years, defeated Downey, 3-0, to win the title outright.
They won in straight sets, 25-14, 25-17, 26-24.
“It feels great,” Warren coach Scott Lane said. “It doesn’t happen all that often for us. I thought we did a pretty good job and the girls stayed composed, even when we got down in the third set. I don’t mind being down and we need to be tested sometimes. We’re not perfect and I think that’s a great deal that we kind of hung in there. It’s going to be that way anyway in CIF.”
The Bears, up 2-0 after two fairly easy wins, found themselves down, 21-17 in the third set.
They rallied with three kills on four winners to even the set, 21-21.
Downey rallied for three consecutive winners for the 24-21 lead. However, Warren put the match away, outscoring the Vikings, 5-0, for the win as Downey hit the ball out of the back court.
One of the stars of the team was senior Jaylynn Fierro and she waited four years for that moment.
“It’s full of emotion,” Fierro said. “It’s been a long time since we’ve won league. This is a big deal to us and it’s an accomplishment that we’re all proud of.
“Beating Downey in this game on our own turf was even better. Like we said, ‘who’s house, Bears house.’ We’re looking forward to CIF and it’s great coming back in our senior year to be going to CIF. Now it’s out time.”