Legacy of league

At Downey High School, on Oct. 7, during the game vs. Dominguez, Downey the football team fights for the title of league champions. “All gas, no brakes,” senior Josh Flores (#26, running back) stated. “It’s a saying we have; it means we go hard and never quit for what we want.”

Irania Quintero, Staff Writer

The journey to league title for Downey High School’s football team began on Oct. 30, 2014 as the football team took on Paramount High School at their home field.  With hard work and dedication dwelling in their hearts, Downey’s football team was determined to show how their efforts would pay off for them as they won the San Gabriel Valley League title.

 

“These next two games [against Paramount and Dominguez] determine who will win the league title, and for the past three years we have been tied at 4 wins and 1 loss with these schools,”  senior captain Eduardo Preciado said.  “Our goal this year has been to win the title with an undefeated season.”

 

By taking the win against Paramount the night of Oct. 30, 2014, Downey’s football team added one more win and were that much closer to achieving one of their goals.  As a team, they improved and showed unity.  The team admitted that at the start of their season, they found themselves playing as individuals instead of playing for their team.  Along the way, the team was able to build a trust that would soon have them feeling like a family on and off of the field.

 

“We came together as one and as a family when everyone started to get along.  Everyone was an individual and nobody was working as a team because they were trying to do their own thing,” senior offensive lineman Jose Castaneda said.

 

The journey continued as Downey’s football team took on the challenge of playing against Dominguez High School on Nov. 7.   With a new and improved team, the trust was manifested during the game with risk-taking passes from the quarterback and a vast amount of yards ran by the running back.

 

“ Our team goal is to win league out right and win another CIF title,” Head Coach Jack Williams stated.  “Once our season ends, I am excited to see them [the players] come back and visit to see what type of fathers and husbands they have become.”

 

As anticipated, Downey’s football team went undefeated and took the league title.  Short-term goals made by the coach and the team were met, and they are now on their way to trying to accomplish long-term goals of receiving another CIF ring.  Coach Williams is proud of the team’s progress so far and is excited to see what type of men they will become.