Norwalk-Downey football game is a win-win

Norwalk quarterback Caden Barnhill (12) makes a pass during their non-league football game at Downey High School Friday night. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)

DOWNEY — There were two winners last Friday night between the Norwalk and Downey high school football teams.

Yes, Downey won on the scoreboard, 49-0, but the sentiment among all those, including coaches, was a great night for all.

Downey (2-0) and Norwalk (0-1) played in front of a spread out crowd of family members, but coaches on both sides of the ball saw the gleam and excitement in the eyes of the players for the first time (for Norwalk) and second game (for Downey) after 16 months since the last game in 2019.

The last time these two neighboring schools played each other was in the 2012 CIF-SS playoffs. Downey narrowly defeated the Lancers, 45-42 in the second round.

Downey shutout Cathedral, 24-0, March 12 in its opening game.

“That’s the whole point, is just giving the kids a chance to play,” Downey football coach Jack Williams said. “It’s not about winning or losing. It’s a good opportunity for these lads to get out.”

Most teams have had only a couple of weeks of full-on practice and Norwalk coach Dean Gray said, “The last three weeks have been great seeing them. We had a scrimmage the week before and that was great just being back after a year.”

Norwalk's Milton Roman (2) is wrapped up by a Downey defender in their non-league football game at Downey High School Friday night. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)

On the game he added, “It was a win for all of us. It was great to be there.”

Coach Williams echoed coach Gray about just getting to play.

“Our whole thing is not about the wins, but just playing with someone next to you,” he said. “It seems like they are playing harder.”

As for the numbers, Downey had 316 total yards of offense (164 rushing, 152 receiving), with senior running back Jacob Skobis leading all rushers with 101 yards on the ground and 35 receiving yards. He also had two TDs – 35-yard reception from junior quarterback Noah Paez (4 for 9, 71 yards) and a 35-yard rushing score.

Other rushers for the Vikings were sophomore Keion Andrew (40-yard score) and two TDs on the ground by senior QB Chris Hernandez, who also had a 2-point conversion.

Hernandez (5 for 8, 81 yards), who alternated quarters with Paez at quarterback, said of just getting to play the game of football again: “It’s very exciting to finally get to go out there and hit someone else. Especially because of the things that we had to overcome this last year.”

Hernandez is hoping to attend the University of Arizona next fall and concentrate on his studies.

Downey's Antonio Ruiz (7) tries to stop Norwalk's Davin Portillo (4) in their non-league football game at Downey High School Friday night. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)

Junior wide receiver Tryse Redford scored twice on a 35-yard TD reception from Hernandez in the second quarter and a 70-yard scoop and score on a fumble recovery. Norwalk had a fourth and 1 on the Downey 30 on a quarterback sneak but the ball popped out and rugby-style, Redford picked up the ball and raced down the field for the score for the Vikings.

On the TD pass to Redford, Hernandez said: “Our game plan was to go short and then hit them with a big play.” The touchdown reception was to the corner of the end zone.

A small but exciting moment came in the second quarter for Downey junior linebacker Andrew Garcia.

After missing three pregame extra point practice kicks, he put one between the uprights in the second quarter after a touchdown.

“Sure enough, I made it,” Garcia said. “It was a cool thing. It was one of the top 10 moments in my high school career. I was celebrating with my teammates.”

Garcia also had a game-leading 10 tackles, while sophomore linebacker Andrew Reyes and senior outside linebacker CJ Corley each had nine tackles.

Downey led, 27-0, at the half.

Norwalk was led by sophomore running back David Herrera with 91 yards on nine carries, with his longest gain being a 34-yard run.

Herrera took the second half kickoff deep into Downey territory to give the Lancers good field position to start the third quarter.

Senior running backs Davin Portillo and Milton Roman ran for 31 and 24 yards, respectively.

Downey's Nick Vargas (77) and Norwalk's Davin Portillo (4) meet before the coin toss of their non-league football game at Downey High School Friday night. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)

“Both Herrera (4 tackles) and Portillo (5 tackles) played great at their positions,” Gray said. “Overall, the kids played hard. Roman, who started at running back last year, played well also.”

One moment stood out for Coach Gray even before the game started for his senior players.

With no students in class at all this year, the seniors haven’t really been able to enjoy their year on campus.

“As we were waiting for the buses before the game at the school, all of the senior players jogged over to just sit in the quad area,” Gray said. “We as coaches were happy to see them just sit for a few moments.”

While on the campus the players even got to take a look at the new stadium over the fence.

“That was a big win for us,” Gray added. “That’s why I say it’s not about the score – they got to play football.”

Downey will begin San Gabriel Valley League action Friday at Paramount, while Norwalk begins Suburban League play at Bellflower, also Friday.

What they said

Jack Williams, Downey Head Coach: “(Andrew) had some great plays on defense. But I’ve never seen a kid get so excited for an extra point.

“In our games, we’ve been fortunate enough to get kids in games. This was like Texas-style spring football.”

Dean Gray, Norwalk Head Coach: “As the kids ran out onto the field, we (coaches) even got emotional watching that. We were very happy for them.

“They got to play football on a Friday night. It was important to Downey and important to us.”

Chris Hernandez, Sr. QB, Downey: “It’s very exciting to finally play. You get the game plan; you practice all week and get the pregame jitters. Finally being able to play and you get to put your foot on the pedal. To at least have a season is special. I never thought I’d have a game on my birthday in April. Coming out here in the spring to play is different.”

Andrew Garcia, Jr. Middle Linebacker: “I feel like it was such a blessing to be back out there. We waited a whole year. I’m just happy to be playing football.

“It felt nostalgic. Nobody really believed it and everybody was pumped. I felt like we took the game for granted.”

Efren Salgado, Norwalk Defensive Coordinator: “I was looking at this game as a learning experience.

“I was very pleased with the play of sophomore (David) Herrera in the game and senior defensive end Jorge Soto (3 tackles), who played a very good game.

“Considering all of the circumstances, every school district has taken a different approach to practice. It is what it is.”

Ruben Guerrero, Norwalk Offensive Coordinator: “The younger kids were starry-eyed, while the vets were just chomping at the bit.

“It was a special moment and it felt good to get back to something that’s been good to us. It was a little different because it was quiet in the stands.

“It was like a sigh of relief to play again and it was really nice to get back to a game. It was a joy.”

Norwalk Notes

It’s that time of year again for Norwalk’s “Charity for Charities” program.

The juniors and seniors will pick from 10 charities that the local Chamber of Commerce has given them and come up with five to raise funds for their program.

Coach Gray, who has been heading up this program for years, said that each charity will receive $1,000.

The virtual announcement will take place in the last week of April.

New stadium almost ready

On the horizon for Norwalk was to be the opening game at their new stadium on campus this season. However, with a few projects not yet completed, the stadium will have its first home football game next fall.

“We’re about 90% complete and won’t be able to play until all fields are complete,” Gray said. “It’s just absolutely beautiful.”