By Tim Peterson
(Downey) – Warren wrapped up the San Gabriel Valley League title and an undefeated regular season with a 26-16 win over Downey Friday night before a packed house at Allen Layne Stadium.
Nico Imaleava threw for 225 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for a score. The Bears scored first on a three -yard touchdown run by Marcus Higgs in the first quarter to take a 6-0 lead after a missed extra point. Downey responded later in the first with two-yard touchdown blast by Keion Andrew to take a 7-6 lead. Warren took the lead for good in the second quarter and never let it go.
Early in the second the Bears drove 56 yards on six plays with Romeo Clark hauling in a 12-yard pass from Imaleava for a 14-7 lead. Imaleava ran in the two point conversion.
Both teams had opportunities in the first half. Imaleava fumbled at the Downey one-yard line and the Vikings recovered to stop a threat. Downey was stopped twice on fourth down in the red zone which could have led to game tying touchdowns.
Downey cut the lead to four early in the third quarter on a 23-yard field goal by Isaac Madrid but Warren answered with 60-yard drive capped by an 11-yard Imaleava run with 6:09 left in the third quarter to make it 20-10.
The dagger came in the fourth quarter when Higgs picked up his second touchdown of the night on a two-yard run to finish a 61-yard march.
The Vikings managed a touchdown with 38 seconds left on a 13-yard touchdown strike from Paez to Bryant Carey to account for the final tally.
Warren had two turnovers which cost the Bears points in the first half. The Vikes turned it over once – a key fumble in the second half.
Higgs also had 4 caches for 43 yards for Warren and Jordan Anderson had 3 for 39.
For Downey Paez had 324 yards passing with Isaiah Blair hauling in 5 catches for 151 yards but the Vikings had trouble cashing in.
With the victory Warren improved to 8-0 and will now await to see where it lands in the CIF playoffs. Downey fell to 8-2 and the Vikings will also find out Sunday who and where they will play in the first round of the post season.
is it safe to say now that the city of Downey is, Kevin Pearson.