Spirit Week - Downey vs Warren

Contrary to what happens with most contests, the yearly playing of this game seems to make Downey community spirit grow stronger each time.  Sure, it is a defining moment whenever Downeyites of any age are introduced and one person says “Downey” and the other lives in Warren territory.

But as the teachers, coaches, cheer instructors and even the Superintendent of Schools, John Garcia, made clear, the emphasis on the way the schools prepare the kids, to respect the opponent.  The theme is not just winning (although that counts, of course), but on playing the game with a sporting attitude.

Spirit Week at the two Downey high schools is the count-down of days that lead up to the Big Game.  And it is a Downey Rotary tradition for an assortment of athletes, cheer squads, teachers and administrators, to come to share luncheon with us as our guests.  The Legend continues.

Our program featured a number of educators who took time from their busy day to celebrate this spirit with the students.  Both school principals told us about the excitement engendered during the week, where each day has a different theme and activities and special dress or costume to wear to class is suggested.   The principals then introduced the athletic directors who introduced the football coaches, who pointed out to us their star athletes who had come to our meeting and were seated around the room with club members, as were the cheer squads and ASB leaders.

Garcia talked about how the entire city gets together this one time of the year.  No matter what the win-loss record of each school, for this game the spirit is so intense that anything can happen, the favorite can be defeated, the underdog can win. 

The coaches, who both have experience in playing in and coaching this big  day, said they prepare their players to expect a special pressure.  “We talk all week about momentum,” said the Downey head coach.  “This game is all about who can ride that momentum.  They get big plays and to be able to counter that, our offense has to be big.” 

The excitement of the night always raises the level of play, as the Warren coach remarked.  Again the coaches emphasize that they build on the hope that, “We can give them a good game.”

“Cherish this moment,” the coaches both said, “and respect the fans and the players.  This is something you will always remember.”

To give us a taste of game time, cheerleaders from both school stepped front and center.  Warren girls came first, trim and athletic in white uniforms with navy blue kick pleats and gold and navy trim.  Go Bears!  

Downey’s cheers were just as loud and enthusiastic, and were led by girls also in white but trimmed with Downey Viking crimson and gold.  Big gold hair bows and pompoms sparkled as they high-kicked and chanted the Downey yell, Beat Warren!

Good luck to both!

As of this writing, the score is not in.  Downey was home team and kick-off at Allan Layne Stadium was at 7 pm on Friday, October 17.

Late add: we have a score.  Downey Vikings with a 49-19 San Gabriel Valley League victory before a packed stadium Friday night.