Viking's victory over Dominguez cut short after fourth quarter fight
Photo by Alex Dominguez
DOWNEY - The Downey High School football team improved to 3-5 overall and 2-1 in league play with their
convincing 51-8 win at Dominguez last Friday night. The Vikings are now tied for second place with
cross-town rival Warren at 2-1. Paramount is currently in first place with a league record of 3-0. All
S.G.V.L. teams have two games remaining in their regular season schedules as Downey will host
Lynwood later today and will travel to Warren next Friday night in the battle for second place.
In the Downey/Dominguez game, the Vikings raced out to an early lead and never looked back.
Downey scored 30 unanswered points in the first quarter and led 30-0 at the end of the first quarter.
The Dons outscored the Vikings 8-7 in the second quarter but Downey took that 37-8 lead into the
locker room at halftime.
Downey scored two more unanswered touchdowns in the third quarter and led 51-8 as the third
quarter came to an end. The fourth quarter was never played due to a fight on the field and fans from
the stands coming down to the field. The officials called the game and Downey coaches, players and
cheerleaders boarded the busses and left. The incident is still under investigation and it is still currently unknown if any disciplinary action will be taken against any Downey players.
Viking quarterback Chris Hernandez completed 13/20 pass attempts for 218 yards and two
touchdowns. Running back Mateo Rico carried the ball 10 times for 102 yards and two touchdowns,
Jaden Allen carried the ball four times for 77 yards and Keion Allen carried the ball four times for 41
yards and one touchdown.
The Viking receiving corps were led by Dillon Laurer’s four catches for 76 yards, Xander Orozco’s
two catches for 53 yards and one touchdown, and Johnny Fernandez’s four catches for 52 yards. The
Viking defense was led by Aiden Chapman’s four solo and two assisted tackles, Andrew Garcia’s three
solo and two assisted tackles and Aaron Espinoza’s three solo tackles. Coach Williams, his staff and
players are all looking forward to their last two league games and qualifying for postseason play.
WARREN FOOTBALL: The Warren High School football team was defeated by Paramount at Warren last Friday night 45-20. With the win the Pirates improved to 7-1 overall and 3-0 in San Gabriel Valley League play. With the loss, Warren fell to 5-3 overall and 2-1 in league play. At the time of this writing, Paramount is in first place in S.G.V.L. play with a league record of 3-0, Downey and Warren are both 2-1, Dominguez and Gahr are both 1-2 and Lynwood is 0-3. There are two games remaining in league play.
In the Warren/Paramount game, both teams came out ready to play. Paramount scored two first quarter touchdowns and the Bears answered back with two first quarter touchdown of their own. The score was tied at 14 after the first quarter of play. Paramount scored 23 unanswered points in the second quarter and led 37-14 going into the locker room at halftime.
The third quarter saw Paramount outscore Warren 8-6 and widen their lead to 45-20. There was no scoring in the fourth quarter and Paramount held on to the 45-20 win. There were no offensive or defensive stats for Warren at press time. The Bears did possess the ball for 27:46 while the Pirates had it for 20:14. Warren also converted 24 first downs and was penalized five times for 40 yards.
Warren will now travel to Gahr later today for their game against the Gladiators (3-5, 1-2) and will host cross-town rival Downey next week in their annual city showdown. Paramount will host Dominguez tonight and then host Gahr next Friday.
DOWNEY GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL: The Downey High School girls’ volleyball team currently has an overall record of 17-8 and were 8-2 in San Gabriel Valley League play. The Lady Vikings finished in second place in league play behind league champion Gahr (13-4, 10-0), respectively.
In their last five games, the Lady Vikings were defeated by Gahr at Downey 3-1 on Oct. 1,
defeated Paramount at Paramount 3-1 on Oct. 3, defeated Dominguez at Downey 3-0 on Oct.
8, defeated Lynwood at Lynwood 3-0 on Oct. 10 and defeated Warren at Warren 3-1 on Oct.
15 in their cross-town rivalry rematch.
The Lady Vikings traveled to Calabasas yesterday in their first-round playoff game (score unavailable at press time). Calabasas is currently 17-12 overall and 5-3 in league play. The Lady Coyotes
were the number two entry from the Marmonte League behind league champion Westlake (22-5, 8-0),
respectively.
Downey will play the winner of the Oak Hills/Xavier Prep game on Saturday should they advance
from Thursday’s match. Coach McCarthy, his staff and players are all looking forward to postseason
competition and making a deep run. The Lady Vikings were defeated by Xavier Prep last season 3-0 in
the third round of the C.I.F. Division 4 playoffs.
WARREN GIRLS’ TENNIS: The Warren High School girls’ tennis team wrapped up their regular season and San Gabriel Valley League schedules yesterday against Lynwood at Warren (score unavailable at press time). The Bears entered Thursday’s match with an overall record of 13-4 and a league record of 10-1. With a win against an overmatched Lynwood team yesterday, Warren is the outright 2019 S.G.V.L. champion.
The Bears finished last season with an overall record of 15-3 and a S.G.V.L. record of 12-0. Warren was the 2018 S.G.V.L. champion as well. The Bears were defeated by the Archer School for Girls of Los Angeles 14-4 in the second round of the C.I.F. playoffs.
In their last four matches this season, Warren defeated Lynwood at Lynwood 14-4 on Oct 15, defeated Paramount at Warren 10-8 on Oct. 17, defeated Gahr at Gahr 13-5 on Oct. 18 and defeated cross-town rival Downey at Warren 10-8 on Oct. 22. Warren’s only league loss this season came against Gahr at Warren 12-6 on Oct. 8. Warren won their rematch against Gahr at Gahr 3-1 on Oct. 18.
The Bears will be competing in the San Gabriel Valley League Singles, Doubles and Finals Individual Tournament beginning next week. C.I.F. Postseason brackets will also be released soon and then team postseason competition will begin. Coach Starksen, her staff and players are all looking forward to the S.G.V.L. Tournament and C.I.F. postseason play.