Hub Bub Issue #15 | October 11, 2022 (Oct 17, 2022)

Above: Downey Cheerleader Jaedyn Parker

This was The Week, Spirit Week at Downey and Warren High Schools, in anticipation of the Big Football Game Friday Night, to be played this year at Warren, and the Rotary Club of Downey celebrated it by hosting a luncheon with both teams.

Dr. John Garcia, Superintendent of the DUSD, summed it up best: “The schools look forward to the Rotary lunch,” said Dr. John, “because they rarely get a chance to see the other team and coaches. This breaking bread together reinforces the unusual nature of this rivalry. It’s intense, but it’s not one of enmity. The schools share in the community.”

“This game strengthens our bonds and relationships together,” said Dr. John. “This marks over 60 years of the match-up, and the remarkable thing has always been, it does not divide the community: it unites it. The city of Downey treasures that special spirit.”

Always an energy-charged meeting, today’s took up the entire length of Rio Hondo Event Center’s Bob Winningham Banquet Room, filling 14 tables, and the guests outnumbered the Rotarians. Cari White, principal of Warren High, and Tom Houts, principal at Downey, introduced the advisors and faculty supporters, and the coaches introduced the varsity players from each school. The players wore dress shirts, mostly black, with narrow crimson silk ties for Downey. These young people are so poised, well-spoken and focused. It’s a pleasure to see them with us.

“The truth is,” said Dr. John, himself a Rotarian, “that you will never really forget this day. For the rest of your life, you will remember the 14^th of October, 2022. Please soak in everything you can.” Dr. John knows whereof he speaks: he played his heart out on Downey’s 1985 Varsity.

Not all the competition is in football. Cheer Squads from both schools gave us their cheers, Pompoms and megaphones encouraged the crowd. I was lucky enough to sit with three members of the Downey Cheer Squad, who feel their cheering is definitely part of the team effort. “We have two sets of cheers,” said Hector. “One for games, one for competition.” Faculty advisor Ashley Ravis came over and showed me a breathtaking video of the tumbling and acrobatics Downey has mastered- they have come in second for two years in a row, in the National Cheer Championships, with the help of Coach Connor.

Jaclynn Ojeda, Hector Rosales, Jaedyn Parker

Jaedyn plans to go to the University of Kentucky; that’s where family members have gone. She will study to become a doctor. Hector is set to go to Cal State Long Beach and major in English, figuring that a clear command of language will help him in his ultimate career in the law. Jaclynn isn’t sure yet where she’ll go, but wants to study criminology.

“Raise your hand if you went to Downey,” said the emcee. Lots of hands went up. “How many went to Warren?” Hands were raised, and cheers. The occasion brought out faces we rarely see: Ray Brown; Jim Mogan, DEA president; Bill Kirkwood and wife Connie. Will Medina indignantly told me he went to Warren, not Downey, as I supposed; even Allen Korneff, Administrative Director of the Downey Community Hospital, came and wore his red Viking hat.

Allen Korneff

Songmasters Doctors Debbie and Dan Fox led us in Take Me Out to the Ball Game, and then we enjoyed the Welcome Song, everyone going around the room and getting to say “Thanks for coming,” to our guests.

During announcements I displayed this week’s book for the Downey Library Children’s room, and I managed to get lots of signatures for it. Dr. John signed with DHS ’85 beside his name, and fellow Rotarian Assistant Superintendent Dr. Roger Brossmer signed too. Most of the Warren football team, including quarterback phenom Nico Iamaleava, 6’6’, and some of the Downey Cheer squad, as well as their coach and the school Principal Cari White.

Acting president Barbara Lamberth, substituting for Mel Sanchez, closed the meeting with Rotarians rising to recite the Rotary 4-Way test, led in stentorian tones by John Lacey. “This is what we think and feel and do,” John said. “Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it promote good will and friendship? Will it be beneficial to all?”

Dan Fox and I have our own tradition: we wear letter jackets. Dan’s is his own Warren Varsity model; mine is my son Jeff’s from 1978 when he was a sophomore, on one of coach Allen Lane’s winning teams. Jazlyn Acebal took our picture for the Rotary Hubbub this year. And here we are from 2018. The amazing thing is that Dr. Dan chooses a different aloha shirt to go with, every time.

Rotarians Lorine Parks and Dan Fox, 2018

Late add:

The game was broadcast on TV on BBSHD, and what a thriller it was. Warren and Downey traded touchdowns to start, but then Warren pulled away early. Both quarterbacks are committed to colleges where they have earned scholarships: Warren’s Nico Iamaleava, who is 6’6’’, to the University of Tennessee, Aiden Chiles of Downey to Oregon State.

The game was played with energy and enthusiasm, and it soon became apparent that there was an excess of physicality, as one announcer put it. There were numerous penalties for unsportsman-like conduct, and flags appeared on almost every play. Both coaches will want to get this under control.

At almost the end of the first half, with Warren leading 28-14 and Iamleava having thrown for 3 touchdowns and one interceptions, with 237 yards passing and a 77 yard run for another touchdown, suddenly Iamaleava was on the ground with medics hovering over him.

He was down for an unusual amount of time, and the problem seemed to be with his right leg. Both slender legs were wrapped in bright pink stockings, with pink shoes, contrasting with his dark blue uniform. Finally he was helped up and off the field, and his brother Madden Iamaleava, a sophomore, took over as quarterback. Madden ran out the clock by taking a knee, and the half was over, 35-15, Warren leading.

“Emotions are high,” said Downey coach Jack Williams. “The only thing we can control is us,” said Warren coach Kevin Pearson.

Niko came out to start the second half, and was the victim of another personal foul, this one for half the distance to the goal line. His helmet was knocked off, which in high school meant he had to stay out for a play. But all was well. The TV showed a moment in a tent on the sidelines where Niko and Madden were seen watching a replay of their last down, still learning even as they were winning.

The pushing and shoving penalties were incurred by both sides, and the trash talking and physicality threatened to get out of control. Warren scored almost at will, and in the last minute Downey got another score too.

Brother Madden again took over to finish the game, 49- 22 in favor of Warren.
A lot of physical penalties had been assessed, so it was a relief to see the coaches cross the field to shake hands, and the teams formed a handshake line with each other that looked good-natured.

Iamaleava ended up passing 244 years, 4 touchdowns, and one interception, plus a running touchdown. In a post-game TV interview as Player of the Game, he said, “I had good training at home. My parents taught me how to handle pressure like this.” When asked about the play-offs in the Gateway League, Niko said, “I can’t wait.”