Iamaleava, Ross lead Bears to win on big SoFi stage
INGLEWOOD ❯❯ The first high school football game ever played at SoFi Stadium lived up to the hype.
Warren's 28-21 victory over Downey on Friday night marked the sixth year in a row the Bears got the better of the rivalry, but this one they will remember for a long time.
In front of 18,815 fans, Warren twice clawed back from a touchdown deficit before taking the lead for good in the second half.
Madden Iamaleava completed 23 of 28 passes for 195 yards and four touchdowns. He threw one interception. Jaylon Edmon led the Bears in rushing, gaining 93 yards on 22 carries. Jordan Ross led Warren receivers, hauling in four catches for 56 yards and three touchdowns.
Downey converted on its first drive, going 89 yards in nine plays before Victor Morales punched in a 2-yard touchdown run to give the Vikings a 7-0 lead three-and-a-half minutes into the game.
Oscar Rios completed 10 of 14 passes and rushed for a touchdown. Morales led the Downey rushing attack, gaining 79 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.
Warren drove to the Downey 33-yard-line on its first drive, but a sack by Ivan Jimenez, followed by an incomplete pass, forced the Bears to punt.
Warren solved the Downey defense four minutes into the second quarter. After a 10-yard loss on a sack by Downey's Jake Felix, Iamaleava connected with Darius Maddox in the corner of the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown to tie the score 7-7.
Downey took the lead right back when Anthony Francis grabbed Nico Iamaleava's pass attempt and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown and a 147 Downey lead.
Warren wasted no time coming back. On their next possession, Iamaleava drove the Bears to the Downey 18 before finding Jordan Ross on a short pass he took into the end zone to tie the score at 14 after the extra point.
Warren took the lead on a mammoth drive to open the third quarter. The Bears drove 62 yards in 7 minutes and 28 seconds before Iamaleava found Jace Brown for a. 10-yard touchdown pass and a 2114 lead.
Downey tied it on their next possession. On fourth-and-4, Rios ran left, diving into the end zone to tie the score at 21 after the extra point with 53 seconds left in the third quarter.
Warren again jumped in front at 9:08 of the fourth quarter after a personal foul penalty put Warren at the Downey 16, Iamaleava then hit Ross for his third touchdown of the game.