Kyle Miller’s 10-yard run put Warren up 33-32 late in the fourth quarter.
One more from Week 10 of last year in “One Year Ago”. Dylan Guerra’s last second heave lifted Warren to a dramatic win over Downey in the city rivalry. Tim Peterson was at the scene of the memorable game.
By Tim Peterson
(Downey) -Dylan Guerra threw a Hail Mary pass into the end zone and Keison Evans came down with it with no time remaining to lift Warren to an improbable, unfathomable 39-35 win over Downey Friday night at Justice Stadium.
Downey’s Cesar Medina booted a 25 – yard field goal with 18 seconds left to give Downey a 35-33 lead and an apparent victory. But the Vikings left too much time on the clock. After a good return left the Bears at the Viking 49 Guerra threw an incomplete pass on first down. There were still five ticks remaining. On second down Guerra scrambled out of the pocket to his right and let it fly into the corner of the end zone. A sea of Warren and Downey players went up for it but Evans ultimately came down with it touching off a mass celebration.
The capacity crowd erupted and the Warren sideline exploded as they raced towards their hero Evans in the right corner of the end zone. Warren, who trailed 32-13 early in the fourth quarter, had pulled off the miracle that left the Bear faithful joyous and the Viking folks speechless.
“It’s terrible that somebody had to lose this game,” said Warren Coach Kevin Pearson “But we believed in each other and we were mentally tough.”
Warren was dead in the water. Cooked, buried. The fat lady was warming up her voice at the far end of the stadium when Downey went up 32-13 with 11:55 left in the fourth quarter.
A three touchdown deficit at anytime to a team like Downey is hard to overcome but with less than full quarter left it seemed next to impossible. So when Jaden Allen scored on a two yard run and Dillon Lauer added two points on a run to put Downey up 19 it appeared to be lights out for Warren. But the Bears turned them back on.
Warren moved quickly down the field going 85 yards on 11 plays with Jahsiah Sheffield hauling in a two-yard touchdown pass from Guerra and it was 32-20 with 8:25 left.
Downey was stopped on fourth down at its own 42 and Warren was in business again. Five plays later Evans caught a nine-yard TD strike from Guerra and it was 32-27 with 4:45 left.
The Vikings were forced to punt on their next possession and the Bears set up shop at their own 26. This time they needed six plays with Kyle Miller slamming in on a ten-yard run to give Warren its first lead of the game at 33-32 with 1:28 left.
The Vikings punched right back marching down the field with Medina splitting the uprights from 25 yards out for a 35-33 lead. Guerra then threw up the shot heard ’round Downey. A shot that will be remembered for ages to come.
Downey led 24-13 at the half on a Chris Hernandez one-yard run and two Rico Mateo short touchdown runs. They went for two each time and converted. Warren’s two scores came on a one-yard Guerra run and a short jump pass from DJ Morgan to Sheffield.
The 11 point lead seemed sufficient at the half and insurmountable early in the fourth but on this night, in Downey, it was the night of the Bear.
Warren finished 7-3 on the season and 4-1 in the San Gabriel Valley League while Downey ended up 4-6 and 3-2- good for third place in the SGV. Both teams now await their playoff opponents which will be announced Sunday.
Hey Coach Williams from Downey High, how did it turn out against that “ DECENT LITTLE QUARTERBACK” from Warren. Look like he crushed you and your team. Oh and he’s a lot better then your QB.
Forget about picking the winners each week Tim….you picked the right game to cover on this final regular season weekend, which makes everything groovy.