Downey opens football season at Mayfair

DOWNEY - The Downey High School football team kicks of its 2012 season Friday, Aug. 24, at Mayfair High School in Lakewood.The Vikings finished last year's regular season with a record of 5-5 and a first round loss in the C.I.F. Western Division playoffs, 31-24, to Righetti High School. The Vikings were the number two seed from the San Gabriel Valley League and were tri-champs, with a league record of 4-1, along with top-seeded Paramount and third-seeded Dominguez entering last year's playoffs. The Vikings' opponent Friday, Mayfair, finished their 2012 season in 11 games as well. The Monsoons finished their regular season with a record of 7-3 and lost to La Serna, 47-34, in the first round of the C.I.F. Southeast Division playoffs. The Monsoons were also tri-champs of the Suburban League by sharing their league title with La Mirada and Bellflower, also with league records of 5-1. The Monsoons were the Suburban League number two seed as they entered the playoffs, La Mirada was the number one seed and Bellflower the number three seed, respectively. The Monsoons were led last season by standout running back Jerry Smith. Smith was a graduating senior last year and will be attending Fresno State University on a football scholarship this fall. The Vikings are no longer competing in the Western Division of C.I.F. This year marks a change to the Southeast Division. Therefore, it is possible that Downey could see Mayfair down the road in the playoffs. Downey, as previously mentioned, will play at Mayfair tonight, August 24th. They will then host La Serna on August 31, travel to Schurr on September 7 and Fountain Valley on September 14. Downey will then host Oxnard on September 21 and finally have a bye week, the week before league starts, the week of September 28. The Vikings will then open league play against cross-town rival Warren at home on October 5 and follow that up by hosting Gahr on October 12. Downey will then travel to Paramount on October 19, host Dominguez on October 26 and finish their regular season by traveling to Lynwood on November 2. All games start at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. The Vikings are certainly looking forward to another strong showing in league play and run in the C.I.F. Southeast Division playoffs.

********** Published: August 23, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 19