(Downey, CA) The Downey Vikings took on the St Paul Swordsmen Friday night at Allen Layne Stadium on the Campus of Downey High School and managed a 17-7 victory over a near sellout homecoming crowd.
The Vikings won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball to start the game and wasted little time getting on the board. Oscar Rios found Manuel Albidrez all alone in the corner of the endzone to cap a seven play -75 yard drive. Vianni Martinez booted through the extra point and with 9:03 left in the opening quarter Downey led 7-0
Tragedy struck for the Swordsmen on their ensuing drive. On the first play from scrimmage senior quarterback Andrew Maushardt was hit as he released a pass into the flat. The pass fell short and Maushardt didn’t get up. The St Paul training staff worked on Maushardt’s left knee and eventually he was helped off the field.
Gabriel Castaneda came on in relief of Maushardt but could not get any momentum going.
The score remained 7-0 until 8:24 left in the first half and that’s when Downey got their second score this time on the legs of Rios. The touchdown completed a 10-play, 68-yard drive.
Neither team got on the board for the rest of the half and the teams headed to the locker rooms for the break.
The St Paul defense stepped up in the second half and did a solid job containing the potent Viking offense giving their team a chance to get closer and that is just what they did.
A 12-play drive that covered 71 yards culminated in a 15-yards touchdown pass from Castaneda to Orlando Zepeda. The 14-7 score would be as close as St Paul would get on the night.
The Vikings extended their lead to 17-7 on a 38-yard field goal from Martinez who called “bank” as his kick caromed off the left upright. The field goal came after a 10-play drive stalled at the St Paul 21.
The Swordsmen had a chance late in the game to get a little closer but were forced to go for it on fourth and two at the Downey 31. Castaneda dropped to throw but his pass fell incomplete.
Downey took over the ball on downs and from there ran out the clock.
Downey will take next week off in preparation for their Gateway League opener with Norwalk.
It will be another big game next week for St Paul as they take on Servite. Prayers from the Mid Valley staff that Maushardt’s injury isn’t serious and he can return to the line up soon!
Why would they purposely injure a QB who hands the ball off all game?
Is there any update on his condition and timeline for return ??
People are saying the same about the nick Chubb hit. MuSt MaKe iT TrUe
alot of people saying the hit on QB was dirty and purposely done