Downey High School running back Kyle Lewis tries to turn the corner during Friday's game with Schurr. Downey won, 19-3. (Photo by Gary McCarthy)
Story Created:
Sep 23, 2009 at 4:26 PM PST
Story Updated:
Sep 23, 2009 at 4:26 PM PST
In a game that was a defensive battle most of the way, Downey High School finally opened things up offensively a bit in the second half to beat Schurr, 19-3 Friday in a nonleague football game.
Downey, now 2-0, opened it up in the third quarter by balancing the running game with some effective passing.
Schurr’s offense, on the other hand, was nowhere to be seen. The only successful possession for the Spartans was a 13-play drive in the second quarter that was sealed with a 47-yard field goal, giving them the early lead 3-0 with 3:41 left in the first quarter.
Both teams shared only nine points for the entire first half, and the Spartans (1-1) only passed for 60 yards and rushed for 42 yards.
Vikings coach Will Capps talked about opening up the offense in the second half.
“A little bit of strategy from our offensive coordinator there,” Capps said after the game. “Suck them in and then try to throw the ball on them. I have to give Jack Williams (offensive coordinator) a lot of credit. He did a good job.”
The Vikings’ ground attack was led by junior tailback Kyle Lewis, who wore out the Spartan defense by rushing for 154 yards on 21 carries. He is averaging 7.33 yards per carry on the season.
Senior running back Joseph Ortiz was equally important to the ground game. The 220-pounder carried 15 times for 117 yards, including a 10-yard scoring run that capped an eight-play, 62-yard drive in the third quarter.
“Ball control and protect the ball,” Ortiz replied after asked what the strategy was going into the game.
Downey could have extended the lead with field goals in the fourth quarter on two occasions, but two fourth-down attempts failed for first downs, one at the Schurr 24, the other at the one, failed.
“We were too far out,” Capps said. “We tried to take advantage of some opportunities and it didn’t work for us but it didn’t hurt the outcome.”
The Vikings rushed for a total of 332 yards.
With 45 seconds left, Downey went on another drive as the tandem of running backs led them to a 19-3 lead. Senior quarterback Steven Cervantes faked a run to the right as he finished the 56-yard drive with an eight-yard score through the ground.
Downey was able to contain Schurr quarterback Aaron Cantu and running back Nick Castillo, who had only 25 yards on 14 carries.
This week will be a bigger challenge when they face La Habra, ranked No. 1 in the Southwest Division, and its standout running back, Josh Quezada.
“They’re an awesome team,” Capps said. “Our defense is going to have to step up.”
Quezada is averaging 185 yards per game and had a superior performance against South Hills of West Covina Friday, scoring four touchdowns.
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