Downey football takes control against Lynwood

DOWNEY >> Just about everything that could go wrong for Lynwood High’s football team did Friday night as the Knights had their homecoming celebration spoiled right from the opening kickoff in a 35-7 San Gabriel Valley League loss to Downey.

Lynwood (3-4, 0-2) committed 16 penalties, turned the ball over five times (two interceptions, one fumble, twice on downs) and was forced to punt on four occasions.

The Vikings (6-1, 2-0) took full advantage, beginning with the first play of the game, recovering a fumble after a Knights’ lateral attempt on the kickoff. Just three snaps and about 55 seconds later, Downey got on the board with a 2-yard touchdown run from Emari Demercado.

From there, Downy scored on a 70-yard screen pass from Trevor Hill to Christopher Atkins and a 24-yard strike from Hill to Tony Ramirez and coasted into halftime with a 22-0 advantage.

The team tacked on two more TDs, another 24-yard pass from Hill to Ryder Hawkins and a 2-yard run by Baraq Ross before Lynwood finally scored on a 22-yard pass from wide receiver TJ Jones to Dajahn Outland.

Michael Cabrear anchored the Downey defense with a sack and an interception.

After colliding with a pair of Knights and a teammate late in the first quarter, Downey’s Ricky Hickson Jr. went down for an extended period and eventually had to be taken from field in an ambulance. While an immediate update was not available, he gave his teammates a nod on the way out.

Downey hosts Warren on Friday at 7 p.m., while Lynwood will be at Dominguez.