Sports Briefs: Downey lacrosse looks to build on success

DOWNEY – The Downey High School girls’ lacrosse team has been working hard this summer in preparation for their upcoming season. The Lady Vikings finished last season with an overall record of 16-5 and were 8-0 in Ocean League play. Downey was the 2014 Ocean League champion. Unfortunately, the Lady Vikings did not compete in postseason play due to a scheduling issue.

The Lady Vikings competed in a lacrosse tournament at the the Rose Bowl the last week in June. Downey finished that tournament 2-1. The Lady Vikings had daily practices from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in June and July. Coach Mires also had his team do some team building activities off the field. The Lady Vikings went on a hiking trip to Palos Verdes and on a kayaking adventure in Long Beach.

Downey took the month of August off due to the C.I.F. mandated “dead period” and to recharge their batteries for the start of their season. Coach Mires is excited for this season to start and is upbeat about his team. Last season the Lady Vikings were one of the twelve best teams in Los Angeles County and were ranked fifth. This season looks to be even better than last season. According to Coach Mires, “a deep run in the playoffs is certainly a realistic expectation.”

Downey will compete at the U.C.I. tournament in November and in the Sandstorm tournament in Indio in January in preparation for the start of their season.

The Lady Vikings lost both of their captains to graduation in 2014. Standout midfielders Virginia Mariscal and Abigail Marin are now at Cal State Fullerton and U.C. Irvine, respectively. This season the Lady Vikings will be led by junior midfielders Ashley Guerrero and Melissa Ramirez. Ashly West will also play a key role in the Lady Vikings’ success.

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The Downey High School boys’ soccer team has had a busy summer. The Vikings competed in the Bellflower tournament in June and July where they finished with a record 4-1.

Downey competed in and won the Monrovia 7-7 tournament in mid-July with a record of 6-0. The Vikings also made the quarterfinals at their own 14 team Downey tournament with a split squad. The Vikings conducted daily practices in late June and July from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

The Vikings are taking the month of August off due to the C.I.F. mandated “dead period” and to recharge their batteries for the start of their winter season schedule. Downey will compete in the Aliso Viejo 32 team tournament in early December as well as the San Diego 32 team tournament in late December before the start of their league season in January.

The Vikings finished last season with an overall record of 18-5-2 and a San Gabriel Valley League record of 6-3-1. Downey was the number three entry from the S.G.V.L. in the Division 2 playoffs behind Warren (7-3) and Paramount (7-3), respectively. Downey won their wild card game 3-1 against Villa Park before being eliminated by Fullerton 1-0 in the first round. The San Gabriel Valley League will move up and compete in Division I this winter.

Downey lost two All-C.I.F. players in 2014 to graduation. Forward Rodryck Ortega and defender Javier Torreblanca have moved on. Standout midfielder Ernesto Patino has also graduated. Senior forward Omar Perez, senior defender Robyn Ortega and senior forward Isaias Rodriguez look to step up and lead this year’s team into the playoffs.

Head coach Marvin Mires, assistant coach Ian Mcfadyen and Viking players are looking forward to the start of the 2014-15 soccer season.

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The Warren High School football team has a bye this week but will scrimmage against Burbank Burroughs at Burbank Burroughs tonight.

Warren will open their season on the road at St. Paul against the Swordsmen next Friday, September 5th.

The Swordsmen finished last season with an overall record of 1-9 and a Mission League record of 1-4. The St. Paul Swordsmen played a difficult schedule that included losses to Serra (13-1), Chaminade (14-2) and Mater Dei (11-3).

Warren has also struggled in recent years. The Bears were 4-6 in 2010, 1-8-1 in 2011, 0-10 in 2012 and 0-10 in 2013. Warren last won the San Gabriel Valley League title in 2008 and 2009 when standout running back Jesse Callier (Washington) led the Bear offense his junior and senior years.

New Bear head coach Raul Lara and his coaching staff hope to turn the Warren football program around. Lara’s new staff includes defensive coordinator Jack Murray, linebacker coach William Alo, offensive coordinator Brent Perez and strength and conditioning coach Gregg Washington.

Several Bear players are expected to make an impact this season. Strong safety Jordan Mayes, inside linebacker Steven Zepeda and free safety Benjamin Donerson will be names to watch for on defense. The Bear coaching staff will also rely on quarterback Jordan Yancy and running back Jordan Mayes to move the chains and score points on offense.

Linebacker coach William Alo said that this year’s team is “hungry and eager to learn.” Gone are the days of “socks and flipflops in the weight room” and here to stay are phrases “get to or got to” and get on the b.u.s. (brotherhood, unity and sacrifice). There is a definite change in attitude on the 2014 Warren football team.

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The 2014 St. John Bosco High School football team opened their season right where they left off from last season, defeating an overmatched St. Louis High School (0-2) team of Hawaii, 63-14, last Friday night at Aloha Stadium.

The Braves are currently ranked sixth in the nation and first in California.

St. Louis High School is consistently one of the top programs in Hawaii. The Crusaders have appeared in the state title game eight times since 1999. The Braves (1-0) have a bye tonight and will play Norwalk at Cerritos College next Friday, September 5th.

The Braves led at the end of the first quarter 21-0. Bosco continued their impressive offensive display and led 42-14 at halftime. The Braves scored 14 more points in the third quarter and led 56-14 at the end of the third quarter. Bosco added a fourth quarter touchdown and won going away 63-14. Backup quarterback Quentin Davis scored the final Brave touchdown on a 10-yard run.

Bosco quarterback Josh Rosen threw for 252 yards and a touchdown and ran for another touchdown. Sean McGrew had 14 carries for 179 yards and scored three touchdowns. The Braves gained 585 total yards, which included 326 on the ground. The Brave defense only allowed 165 total yards and did not give up a single rushing yard.

Norwalk (0-0) will travel to Bell High School tonight for their season opener. Norwalk finished last season with an overall record of 13-1 and a Suburban League record of 6-0. The Lancers lost to La Serna last season in the C.I.F. Southeast Division championship game 41-38 in double overtime. Norwalk standout running back Rashaad Penny has graduated and is now playing Division I football for the Aztecs at San Diego State.

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Published: Aug. 28, 2014 - Volume 13 - Issue 20