Warren rallies to squeak past St. Paul, 29-28

DOWNEY -- The Warren High School football team defeated St. Paul at Warren last Friday night. 29-28, improving their record to 4-1 on the season. 

With the loss, St. Paul fell to 2-3. The Bears lost to St. Paul last season, 47-37, in an offensive showdown.     

The Bears have now concluded their preseason schedule and will begin league play on Oct. 6 when they host Lynwood (3-2). The Bears have a bye this week in order to rest up and get injured players healthy again for the start of league play.

The Bears ended their preseason schedule on an impressive four game win streak and have scored 145 points during that span. The Bear offense seems to be clicking on all cylinders and has averaged just over 36 points per game.

In the Warren/St. Paul game, the Bears fell behind early and trailed 7-0 at the end of the first quarter. Warren got on the scoreboard with a touchdown and extra point in the second quarter but still trailed 14-7 going into the locker room at halftime. 

The Bears scored another touchdown in the third quarter, as did the Swordsmen, and Warren still trailed by a touchdown after three quarters of play, 21-14. Warren came alive in the fourth quarter and outscored St. Paul 15-7 to come away with the come from behind, 29-28 win. 

Coach Lara is pleased with how well his team has played thus far. Warren was close to being undefeated in preseason play with the exception of a one-point loss to Don Lugo in week one. Coach Lara, his staff and players are all looking forward to the start of league play and competing for a San Gabriel Valley League title and playoff spot. 

■ The Downey High School football team defeated Santa Fe at Downey last Friday night, 54-0.

Downey has now concluded their preseason schedule and will begin league play on Oct. 6 when they host Paramount (3-1). The Vikings have a bye this week in order to rest up and get injured players healthy again for the start of league play.

The Vikings end their preseason schedule on an impressive four-game win streak and have scored 187 points during that span. The Viking offense seems to be clicking on all cylinders and has averaged just under 47 points per game in the last four games.

In the Downey/Santa Fe game the Vikings made quick work of the Chiefs by scoring early and often. Downey scored 13 points in the first quarter and added 19 more points in the second quarter. The Vikings led 32-0 going into the locker room at halftime.

Downey picked up in the second half right where they left off in the first half. The Vikings scored 16 points in the third quarter and added another six points in the fourth quarter to cap the 54-0 win. The win was also important because the Vikings rested players in the second half and let reserve players get some valuable playing time. 

Coach Williams is pleased with how well his team has played thus far. Friday night’s win was Downey’s first shut out of the season. Williams, his staff and players are all looking forward to the start of league play and making another run at a San Gabriel Valley League and C.I.F. title. 
 

■ The Warren High School girls’ tennis team currently has an overall record of 5-2 and are 3-0 in San Gabriel Valley League play. 

Warren defeated Long Beach Jordan at Jordan 17-1 on August 30, was defeated by Long Beach Millikan at Warren 13-5 on August 31 and defeated Schurr at Warren 11-7 on September 5.
The Bears were defeated by Lakewood at Lakewood 10-8 on September 7, defeated Paramount at Warren 12-6 on September 19 in their league opener and defeated Gahr at Gahr 12-6 on September 21.

Warren narrowly defeated cross-town rival Downey at Warren 9-9 (criteria decision) last Friday afternoon in their first of three league meetings.

The Bears hosted Lynwood yesterday and will travel to Paramount later today (scores unavailable at press time). The Bears will host Gahr at Warren on October 3. Warren will face Downey on October 5 at Downey and again on October 17 at Warren. The winner of the Downey/Warren matches will most likely claim the 2017 S.G.V.L. title.

Coach Starksen, her staff and players are all looking forward to finishing league play strong and wining a league title. Warren finished last season with an overall record of 14-5 and a S.G.V.L. record of 10-2. 

The Bears were defeated by Crescenta Valley at Warren 16-2 in the third round of the C.I.F. Division 3 playoffs.
 

■The Downey High School girls’ volleyball team currently has an overall record of 4-6 and are 1-0 in San Gabriel Valley League play. 

The Lady Vikings defeated Magnolia at Downey 3-0 on August 22, were defeated by Esperanza 3-0 on August 24 and defeated Carson 3-1 on August 26 in the Molten Classic.

Downey was defeated by Torrance 3-0 on August 26 in the Molten Classic, was defeated by La Canada 3-1 on August 30 and defeated Mayfair 3-1 on September 8.

The Lady Vikings were defeated by Valley Christian at Valley Christian 3-0 on September 12, defeated Paramount at Downey 3-0 on September 20 in their league opener and were defeated by Buchanan 2-0 and Bakersfield 2-0 in the Hard Driven Volleyball Challenge on September 22.

Downey traveled to Gahr on Tuesday (score unavailable at press time), will travel to cross-town rival Warren on October 3 and will travel to Paramount on October 10. The always entertaining rematch against Warren will be on October 19 at Downey.

Coach McCarthy, his staff and players are all looking forward to league play and making a C.I.F. postseason run. Downey finished last season with an overall record of 12-14 and were 8-2 in S.G.V.L. play. 

The Lady Vikings were eliminated by Glendora 3-0 in the second round of the C.I.F. Division 3 playoffs.