With new football coach, Bears look for fresh start

DOWNEY – The Warren High School football team is gearing up for the fall 2019 football season. Long-time head coach Kevin Pearson from Cathedral of Los Angeles has replaced head coach Raul Lara after five years and looks to keep the Bears on the winning track.

Kevin Pearson

The Bears recently finished spring ball and have over 120 players listed on their active roster, not including this year’s freshman class.

Warren finished last season with an overall record of 8-4 and ended San Gabriel Valley League play with a record of 4-1. The Bears finished second in league play behind eventual league champion Paramount (7-5, 5-0) and qualified for postseason play.

The Bears will travel to San Dimas for a scrimmage on August 22 at 4:30 pm. San Dimas finished last season with an overall record of 9-3 and a league record of 4-1.

Warren travels to St. Anthony’s of Long Beach on August 30 for their season opener. The Saints finished last season with an overall record of 3-7 and a league record of 2-2. Warren won last season’s game, 49-14.

The Bears then host Huntington Park on September 6 in their home season opener. Huntington Park finished last season with an overall record of 1-10 and a league record of 1-5. Warren won last year’s game, 59-0.

Warren hosts Culver City on September 13. Culver City finished last season with an overall record of 12-3 and a league record of 4-1. Warren lost last year’s game 34-28.

The Bears will then host Mayfair on September 19. The Monsoons finished last season with an overall record of 9-3 and a league record of 3-0. Warren lost last year’s game, 35-34.

Warren finishes preseason play at La Serna. The Lancers finished last season with an overall record of 10-2 and a league record of 4-0. Warren beat La Serna last year, 47-46.

The Bears will open San Gabriel Valley League play when they travel to Dominguez on October 4. The Dons finished last season with an overall record of 3-7 and a league record of 1-4. Dominguez did not qualify for postseason play. Warren won last year’s game, 49-18.

Warren hosts Lynwood on October 11. The Knights finished last season with an overall record of 0-8-1 and a league record of 0-5. Lynwood did not qualify for postseason play. The Bears won last year’s game 56-0.

Warren hosts Paramount on October 18. The Pirates finished last season with an overall record of 7-5 and a league record of 5-0. Paramount did qualify for postseason play. Warren lost last year’s game to Paramount, 24-21.

Warren travels to Gahr the following week. The Gladiators finished last season with an overall record of 3-7 and a league record of 2-3. Gahr did not qualify for postseason play. Warren won last year’s game, 46-14.

Warren finish its regular season and league finale at Downey. Downey finished last season with an overall record of 6-6 and a league record of 3-2. Downey did qualify for postseason play. Warren won last year’s game, 48-28.

Coach Pearson, his staff and returning players are all looking forward to the start of the 2019 football season. Although standout quarterback Chris Venegas and receiver Robbie Colenzo are now gone, much will be determined this summer in practices, camps and scrimmages against various opponents.

The fall football season will be here before you know it.

GIRLS SUMMER CAMPS: The Downey High School girls’ lacrosse program will begin their summer program on Monday, June 3 and it will run through Thursday, July 18.

Camp will run from 12-2 p.m. the first two weeks and will run from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. the last four weeks. There will be no camp the week of July 1st-4th in observance of the Independence Day holiday.

Questions regarding the summer camp may be directed to head coach Marvin Mires at mmires@dusd.net.

The Downey High School cheer program will begin their summer program on Monday, June 3, and it will run through Wednesday, August 7.

Practices will run Mondays and Wednesdays from 12-3 p.m. and cheer camp will run July 24-27. Questions regarding Downey summer cheer may be directed to advisor Ashley Rauls at arauls@dusd.net.

The Downey High School softball team will begin its summer program on Monday, June 3 and will conclude on Thursday, June 20.

Practices will take place Mondays through Thursdays from 12-2 p.m. on the varsity softball field at Downey High School. The cost is $15 per day or $50 per week for summer sessions.

Questions regarding Downey summer softball may be directed to head coach Ed Garcia at edgarcia@dusd.net.

The Downey High School girls’ tennis program will begin its summer program on Tuesday, June 4 and will conclude on Thursday, June 13.

Tennis camp will run from 3-5 p.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays, on the tennis courts at Downey High School. Tryouts will be held on Monday, June 3, from 1-3 p.m. Fall practices begin Monday, August 5 at a time to be arranged.

Questions regarding girls’ summer tennis may be directed to head coach Micah Karzen at mkarzen@dusd.net.

BOYS SUMMER CAMPS: The Downey High School boys’ soccer program will be hosting its annual two-week soccer camp June 3-7 and June 10-14.

Camp will be held from 8-10 a.m. each day and the cost is $160 for boys in grades 8-12 and $100 for boys in grades 1-7. Camp sessions will be held at Downey High School on the football/soccer field.

Coach Marvin Mires may be contacted at (310) 993-4342 or at mmires@dusd.net. Mires can also be contacted at DowneySoccer.com, on Instagram @DowneySoccer or on Twitter @Downey_Soccer.

Coach Mires, his staff and returning players hope to see you at the Downey summer soccer camp on June 3.

The Downey High School summer wrestling camp is quickly approaching. Camp will begin Monday, June 17, and will run through Thursday, August 1.

Practices will take place in the Downey High School wrestling room. Beginning wrestlers will practice from 1:45-3:45 p.m. and advanced wrestlers (2 or more years’ experience) will practice from 4-6 p.m. The weight room component will run from 6:15-7:15 p.m.

Camp is open to boys and girls, and middle school student-athletes are strongly encouraged to attend. The cost for each wrestler is $100 and is due the first day of camp.

Any questions may be directed to Downey High wrestling coach Kyle Acevedo at kacevedo@dusd.net. Coach Acevedo, his staff and returning wrestlers hope to see you on the mat this summer.