Little Vikings win tournament

DOWNEY - The Downey Junior Athletic Association, more commonly known as D.J.A.A., recently had their sixth grade boys' flag football team participate in a tournament at Discovery Park.The tournament, which took place last Sunday, saw the Downey Little Vikings take first place in the Southern California Municipal Athletic Foundation (SCMAF) competition. The Downey Little Vikings is an all-star team comprised of the best players from five D.J.A.A. teams currently in the sixth grade: the Angels, Chargers, Yankees, Bandits and Bengals. Many of these athletes have been competing with and against each other since they were five and six years old. This football league serves as a stepping stone for youth to eventually participate in tackle football. It is also a nice avenue for young athletes to participate in extra curricular activities since there are no longer competitive sports in the Downey middle schools. The Little Vikings defeated Cerritos 20-0, Hawaiian Gardens 28-6 and Carson 26-6 en route to advancing to play this Saturday in the second round in Carson. The Downey Little Vikings may play as many as five games over this weekend. The winner of this tournament will advance to the state tournament that will be held in Oxnard on December 15th. Thirteen teams are entered to play in this weekend's tournament from Porterville (near Bakersfield) to Blythe (by the Arizona border). Standout players for the Downey Little Vikings include running back/outside linebacker Robbie C., wide receiver/safety Gene C., and quarterback Angel O. The Downey Little Vikings are coached by Gerardo Ochoa Jr., Gerardo Ochoa Sr., and assistant coaches Robert Colenzo and Michael Alvarez Sr.

********** Published: December 6, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 34