Sports briefs: Downey grad earns football scholarship

DOWNEY – Former Downey High School standout wrestler and football player Robert Chism has earned a football scholarship to play football at Glenville State College, a Division II school located in north central West Virginia that competes in the Mountain East Conference. Chism will be playing football for the Pioneers this fall. Unfortunately, Glenville State College does not have a wrestling program.

Chism graduated Downey High School in 2012 and earned his scholarship playing for Cerritos College.

While at Downey, Chism earned first-team All-SGVL and All-CIF honors as an offensive center his senior year. Chism also placed fifth in the heavyweight division (285) his senior year at the California state wrestling finals in Bakersfield and qualified for Nationals in Virginia Beach.

Robert Chism attended Cerritos College after high school where he played football for two years and wrestled the last part of his sophomore year. Chism earned first team All- conference and first team All-state honors at offensive center for his sophomore season’s performance. Chism also finished fourth in regionals and fourth at state in the heavyweight division for junior college wrestling. For his top four finish at Stockton, Chism was selected as an All-American.

Chism recently coached Bellflower High School’s wrestling program with former Downey High School teammate Enrique Carrazco. Chism enjoyed that experience and hopes to continue coaching on the side and after college. Chism is finishing up his general education requirements at Cerritos College before leaving for Glenville State in August. Chism wants to work in law enforcement and plans to study criminal justice.

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The Downey High School boys’ lacrosse team currently has an overall record of 3-1 and have not started league play.

Downey will begin South Bay League play when they play at Mira Costa later today. The Vikings hosted Viewpoint of Calabasas Wednseday evening (score unavailable).

The Vikings lost their first game of the season to Birmingham of Lake Balboa 9-8 on 3/7. The Vikings rebounded from that early setback to win three straight games. Downey defeated Glendale 11-10 on 3/10, El Segundo 13-7 on 3/12 and Manual Arts 18-0 on 3/14. Downey will host Mira Costa next Wednesday, travel to Santa Monica on 4/2 and play Beverly Hills on 4/4.

Downey competes in the South Bay League against Redondo Union, Culver City, Santa Monica, Mira Costa, Beverly Hills, Palos Verdes Peninsula and Palos Verdes. There are no other San Gabriel Valley League teams that offer lacrosse. Head coach Dale Schlegel, his staff and players are looking forward to the start of South Bay League play.

The Downey High School girls’ lacrosse team currently has an overall record of 3-4 and are 1-1 in Bay League play. The Lady Vikings were defeated by Newport Harbor at Newport Harbor 6-4 on 3/4, were defeated by Esperanza at Esperanza 7-5 on 3/6, defeated El Dorado at El Dorado 12-8 on 3/11 and were defeated by El Segundo at Downey 8-6 on 3/12.

Downey then played three games in one day at Laguna Hills High School. The Lady Vikings defeated Sage Hill 9-7, were defeated by San Juan Hills 7-4 and were then defeated by San Clemente 13-6 at the OC/LA Shootout on 3/15.

The Lady Vikings will play Sage Hill next Tuesday at Downey, will travel to play Beverly Hills next Wednesday and will then host Redondo Union on 4/1. Downey competes in the Bay League against Redondo Union, Culver City, Santa Monica, Mira Costa, Beverly Hills, Palos Verdes Peninsula and Palos Verdes. There are no other San Gabriel Valley League teams that offer lacrosse. Head coach Marvin Mires, his staff and players are looking forward to Bay League play.

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St. John Bosco High School standout quarterback Josh Rosen was scheduled to make his college football decision Thursday afternoon on campus at 12:30 p.m.

Rosen is one of the most sought-after quarterbacks in the country going into his senior season. Rivals.com has Rosen ranked as the number two player in the country and the number one ranked quarterback.

Rosen has entertained offers from several Division I schools including, but not limited to: Florida State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Texas, USC and UCLA.

It is highly suspected that Rosen will choose UCLA. If Rosen does choose UCLA, he will rejoin two of his Bosco teammates next season in safety Jaleel Wadood and defensive end Jacob Tuioti-Mariner.

Rosen led the Braves to an undefeated 16-0 record this past season and a high school national title. Rosen passed for 3,200 yards and threw 39 touchdown passes. Rosen also rushed for eight touchdowns.

For his outstanding efforts this past season, Rosen was selected all-Trinity League first-team offense, first-team Press-Telegram Dream Team, All-CIF Offensive MVP and California All-State Junior Player of the Year.

Bosco head coach Jake Negro is extremely proud of Rosen and how hard he has worked while at Bosco. The countless hours lifting weights, practicing and watching film has paid off. Bosco appears to be reloading for the fall and standout quarterback Josh Rosen will once again lead the way.

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The Warren High School softball team currently has an overall record of 5-2 and will begin S.G.V.L. play against Lynwood at Warren next Tuesday.

The Bears defeated Santa Fe at Warren 3-0 last Tuesday, defeated La Palma Kennedy at Warren 2-1 last Thursday and were defeated by La Serna 8-3 at Warren on Tuesday.

The Bears will compete in the Springfest Tournament at Mt. SAC from 3/27-29. At the Springfest tournament, the Bears are scheduled to play six games in three days. Warren will open up against Diamond Bar on 3/27 and their opponents will depend on who wins and who doesn’t.

The Bears will follow that up by traveling to Mayfair on 4/1, traveling to Gahr on 4/8 and by hosting cross-town rival Downey on 4/10. Other league games include hosting Paramount on 4/22, traveling to Dominguez on 4/29 and hosting Gahr on 5/1.

Other San Gabriel Valley League teams are preparing for the start of league play as well. Downey is currently 1-5, Dominguez is currently 0-4, Gahr is currently 6-3, Lynwood is currently 5-0 and Paramount is 0-5. Things are certainly going to change once these teams start playing each other.

The Bears also have the La Mirada Showcase Tournament scheduled for the first part of May to coincide with the second round league play. The Bears have an extremely busy schedule in preparation for the start of league play as well as for the Division 3 playoffs. Coach Starksen, her staff and players are finding their stride as the 2014 softball schedule moves forward.

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Published: March 20, 2014 - Volume 12 - Issue 49