After struggling at the start of the season, the varsity football team defeated the Oxnard Yellowjackets 31-21 on Friday, Sept. 21 at Allen Lane Stadium. Oxnard started off strong, scoring two field goals within the first five minutes of the game. As Downey fans anxiously waited for the Vikings to pick up momentum, the team prepared itself for a game it was determined to win.

The team displayed their determination as they made attempts to regain territory in the first quarter. Although the Yellowjackets would not let their defenses down, the varsity team managed to catch up seconds before the start of second quarter, with a touchdown by senior Jeremy Villa.

“I stayed confident, knowing we could come back,” Villa said. “The first touchdown really woke up the team as well; it let them know we could do better.”

So far, varsity has not been consistent with their wins, landing 3-2. With their star 2012 players gone, the team must get comfortable with the transition fast in order to succeed in the League. However, the mistakes do not faze the athletes’ determination to become a successful team, senior Mark Kozhaya explains.

“We learn from our mistakes,” Kozhaya said. “Even when we win, the coaches point out our mistakes to help us improve.”

During the second and third quarters both teams played hard, and left the scoreboard tied 14-14, until Villa scored another touchdown, putting the home team in the lead 21-14. Downey made sure to keep the game on their side, and that Oxnard was beat for the remainder of the night. The Vikings finally ended the game 31-21.

Along with Viking quarterbacks Conor Hill and Jorge Reyna, the team was victorious against their opponent.

“[The team] lives by the play. If something goes wrong we can’t think too much about it, we just have to forget about it because it’s the past,” Hill said.

The team puts aside their  mistakes and continues to show a team effort in order to do well in League. They hope to defeat their cross-town rivals, Warren, at home on Friday, Oct. 5.