(Downey) The Charter Oak Chargers are glad they brought Brian Casteel along for the Divison IV quarterfinal match-up against the Downey Vikings. The senior scored four times and led Charter Oak to a 35-21 win over the Vikings Friday night at Allen Layne field at Downey High School.
The Chargers got on the board taking the opening drive to the house. After short kickoff set Charter Oak at mid-field, the Chargers needed just five plays to cover the 50 yards. Casteel dove over the pile and into the endzone for the score. Rafael Guizar trotted out and booted through the extra point for the 7-0 lead.
A little less than five minutes later Charter Oak pushed their lead to 14-0 when Kendle McMillian scored on a three yard run.
Downey cut the lead in half with two minutes left in the opening quarter when Malcom Perry muscled his way across the goaline from three yards out.
Early in the second stanza the Vikings knotted the game at 14 going on a nine play 80 yard drive. Trevor Hill connected with Tony Ramirez over the middle for a 19 yard score.
The Chargers answered back with a score of their own on the ensuing drive. Casteel caught a pass over the middle from Zack Niccoli, broke a tackle and outraced the Downey defenders to paydirt. Guizar added the extra point and with 6:06 left in the second, Charter Oak led 21-14.
Downey got the ball to start the second half but misfortune found the Vikings when Raymond Moronez picked off Hill at the Viking 42. Two plays later Casteel broke loose on a 40 yard touchdown run.
Things went from bad to worse for Downey with with 10:35 left in the final frame when Casteel stepped in front of a Trevor Hill pass and raced 50 yards for the score. Casteel finished the night with 68 yards on 16 carries, five receptions for 98 yards and the one interception on defense with four total touchdowns.
Down 35-14 the Vikings took advantage of a Daniel Chavez inteception of Niccoli inteception at the Charter Oak 30. Three plays later Baraq Ross scored on a 15 yard pass from Hill.
It was a long night for Hill who completed 17 of 36 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns but had five costly interceptions.
Niccoli was efficient for the Chargers hitting on 13 of 20 passes for 182 yards and touchdown and one interception.
The Chargers will now return home and host Sierra Canyon in the semi-final of the CIF Division IV playoffs.
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