Vikings avenge last year's loss against Hart

The Downey High School football team traveled to the College of the Canyons in Newhall last Friday night and came away with their first win of the season against Hart, 42-35. 

Photo courtesy Downey High

Downey’s only regular season loss last season came against the Indians at home, 30-20.

In the Downey/Hart game, neither team scored in the first quarter. The two teams exchanged the ball and field position but neither team was able to put any points on the board. 

Hart scored two touchdowns in the second quarter while Downey scored one. All three extra points were converted and Hart led 14-7 going into the locker rooms at halftime.

Downey dominated the third quarter by outscoring Hart, 15-0. The Vikings led, 22-14, at the end of the third quarter. 

The fourth quarter was loaded with excitement. Hart scored three touchdowns and Downey did as well. Hart outscored Downey 21-20 in the fourth quarter but Downey led by eight points to start the quarter and held on for the hard fought 42-35 win. 

With the win, Downey avenged last year’s loss and also earned their first win of the season. The Vikings are now 1-1 on the young season.

Viking quarterback Kijjon Foots completed 19/26 pass attempts for 312 yards and two touchdowns. Foots also carried the ball 13 times for 42 yards. 

Downey’s ground game was led by Baraq Ross’ 15 carries for 117 yards and two touchdowns. The Viking receiving corps were led by Christopher Atkins’ eight catches for 131 yards and one touchdown and Nicholas Whitney’s five catches for 54 yards and one touchdown.

The Viking defense was led by Nicholas Whitney’s six solo and two assisted tackles, Jacob Manetta’s four solo and four assisted tackles and Jack Chapman’s four solo and four assisted tackles. Jevon Tyrell also had six solo and one assisted tackle in the winning effort.

Downey will host the Burbank Bulldogs Friday night. The Vikings defeated Burbank 7-6 last season in a defensive battle. 

Coach Williams, his staff and players are all looking forward to getting their second win of the season and first win at home.

 

■ The Warren High School football team traveled to Kaiser High School in Fontana last Friday night and came away with a decisive 45-10 win. Warren tied Kaiser last season 15-15 at Warren.

In the Warren/Kaiser game, the Bears jumped out to an early 14-0 lead and that was the score as the first quarter came to an end. Warren scored two more touchdowns in the second quarter and Kaiser scored their only touchdown of the night. 

Warren took a 28-7 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Warren added 10 unanswered points in the third quarter and led 38-7 at the end of the quarter. The Bears added a fourth quarter touchdown and the Cats kicked a field goal. 

The Bears came away with a dominating, 45-10 win. The Bears avenged last season’s tie and also picked up their first win of the season. 

Bear quarterback Chris Venegas completed 13/18 pass attempts for 200 yards and three touchdowns. Venegas also carried the ball seven times for 69 yards and had one touchdown. 

Bear running back Nikko Fierro-tuala carried the ball 14 times for 116 yards to help pace the Warren ground game. The Bear receiving corps were led by Robbie Colenzo’s six catches for 100 yards and one touchdown and Desmond Carnes’ three catches for 47 yards and one touchdown.

The Bear defense was led by Kevin Hinojosa’s three solo and three assisted tackles and Jon Herrin’s two solo and four assisted tackles. Several other Bear players had multiple tackles and assists to help in the defensive effort.

Warren will travel Buena Park to face the Coyotes in a Thursday night game. Buena Park defeated the Bears 42-0 at Warren last season. 

Coach Lara, his staff and players were all looking forward to getting their second win of the season and a win against a very good Buena Park team.

 

■ The Warren High School girls’ volleyball team currently has an overall record of 1-1 and will begin league play when they host Lynwood at Warren on 9/21. 

Thus far, Warren was defeated by Valley Christian at Valley Christian 3-1 on 8/22 and defeated Bellflower at Warren 3-0 on 8/29. The Lady Bears are scheduled to play Norwalk at Norwalk on 9/7, will host San Gabriel Mission at Warren on 9/14 and will travel to El Rancho on 9/19 to face the Lady Dons. 

Warren will host cross-town rival Downey on 10/3 in their much anticipated city showdown.
Warren finished last season with an overall record of 8-12 and were 4-6 in league play. The Lady Bears did not qualify for postseason play. Coach Lane, his staff and players are all looking forward to the start of league play and competing for a league title.

Gahr finished last season with an overall record of 18-10 and were 9-1 in league play. The Lady Gladiators are the defending S.G.V.L. champions. The only league loss Gahr had last season was to Paramount at Paramount 3-0. Downey finished last season with an overall record of 12-14 and were 8-2 in league play and Paramount finished last season with an overall record of 12-10 and were 7-3 in league play. 

The Lady Gladiators will once again be the team to beat in league play while Downey and Paramount will be competitive as well. 

 

■ The Downey High School girls’ volleyball team currently has an overall record of 2-3 and will not begin league play until they host Paramount at Downey on Sept. 20. 

The Lady Vikings will travel to cross-town rival Warren on October 3 for their much anticipated city showdown.

Thus far, Downey defeated Magnolia at Downey 3-0 on 8/22, was defeated by Esperanza at Downey 3-0 on 8/24, defeated Carson 3-1 on 8/26, was defeated by Torrance 3-0 on 8/26 and was defeated by La Canada 3-1 on 8/30. The Lady Vikings competed in the Molten Classic Tournament from 8/24-26 and finished in the consolation bracket with a record of 1-2.

The Lady Vikings will host Mayfair today and will travel to Valley Christian to play the Lady Crusaders next Tuesday. Downey is scheduled to begin league play a week after the Valley Christian game. 

The Lady Vikings finished last season with an overall record of 12-14 and were 8-2 in S.G.V.L. play. Downey was eliminated by Glendora 3-0 in the second round of the C.I.F. Division 3 playoffs. Coach McCarthy, his staff and players are all looking forward to the start of league play and competing for a league title. 

Gahr finished last season with an overall record of 18-10 and were 9-1 in league play. Gahr was defeated by Claremont 3-0 in the second round of the C.I.F. Division 4 playoffs. The Lady Gladiators will once again be the team to beat in league play.    
 

SportsMark Fetter