MidValleySports.Com

By Alex A. Gonzalez

DOWNEY — The battle between cross-town rivals Warren and Downey lived up to the hype heading into Friday’s contest but was short-lived as the Bears dominated the Vikings 49-22 in front of a chaotic and rowdy crowd at Warren High school. 

Five-star quarterback and Tennessee commit Nico Iamaleava tossed four touchdown passes, three in the first half, and Marcus Higgs added two rushing scores to help Warren extend their winning streak to five games in their head-to-head matchup between the Vikings. 

“I thought we did okay. We had a great week of practice, and the preparation this week was crazy,” commented Iamaleava after the game. “We expected everything they came without there, and we dominated. I think the rivalry is still great, probably one of the greatest rivalries in Southern California. 

Within the first six minutes of the matchup between the 6-1 teams, both offenses were trading scoring drives that either defense could figure out how to stop. 

The Bears (7-1) (3-0) were the first to strike when Iamaleava hooked up with Jordan Ross, who then broke a tackle and saw nothing but green as he made his way to the end zone. With the 2-point conversion good, Warren’s eight-point advantage was quickly erased on Downey’s ensuing possession. 

Oregon State commit Aidan Chiles optioned to keep the ball for himself, got a block by his receiver Byrant Carey and took it to the house for the 77-yard score. However, the Vikings point after was blocked, keeping Warren’s 8-6 lead intact with 6:28 in the opening frame. 

The Bears did not take long to answer back when the future Volunteers quarterback threw a dart to Jeremiah Ingram, who out jumped his defender and hauled in the reception for the 75-yard score 20 seconds after Downey’s touchdown drive. 

Warren took advantage of a short field followed by a fumble by Downey and tallied the score to 22-6 behind Iamaleava’s second touchdown hookup to Ross. Then Higgs’ 7-yard rushing score came after the Vikings were forced to punt, giving the Bears a 28-6 lead over their rival with 11:53 left in the second quarter.

“It was a great defensive game. It was a great team win,” said Linebacker Ej Smith. “I can say that this is the best game we played as a team. “We just played our game. We don’t get out of our own game. This means a lot for the city of Downey. We’re Warren, California.” 

Downey constructed a touchdown drive before intermission when Chiles connected with Carey for the touchdown and converted their 2-point attempt, chopping Warren’s lead to 28-14. 

Following the break, the Bear’s offense was too much for the Vikings to keep up with by stringing together three straight scoring drives that ultimately quieted Downey’s sideline and silenced any chance of a comeback. 

First, Iamaleava tossed his fourth touchdown pass of the night after he was able to escape the pocket. Higgs then added his second rushing score, and Romeo Clark joined the offensive clinic when he reached pay dirt for the first time of the night. 

Downey was scoreless throughout the entire third period and 11 minutes of the fourth, until Chiles connected with Oscar Aguilar with 59 seconds left in regulation, making the final score 49-22 after a successful 2-point conversion and before the final buzzer.