Warren's depth could cure playoff heartbreak
DOWNEY » After suffering back-to-back heartbreaking losses in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs the past two seasons, the Warren football team is ready to build upon last week's emotional 28-21 win against crosstown rival Downey at SoFi Stadium to make a run in the playoffs this season.
Warren, the defending Gateway League champions, is 6-2 overall and 3-0 in league. The Bears are on a four-game winning streak and have two home league games left, against La Mirada (3-5, 2-1) on Friday and Dominguez (5-3, 0-3) on Oct. 27.
Warren coach Kevin Pearson said he's not looking past the team's final two Gateway League opponents, but is looking forward to redemption in the playoffs. He said that begins with winning the team's first-round matchup, regardless of the opponent.
“That's the motivation right there,” Pearson said. “We talked about that all year, getting knocked out in the first round against Sierra Canyon by a point who then goes on and runs through the playoffs.
“We felt very easily that could have been us.”
The Bears lost in the playoffs last season 22-21 to Sierra Canyon, which then went on to win the CIF-SS Division 2 title. Pearson said that is the motivation for all of the team's returning juniors and seniors who have never won a playoff game.
“That's all we keep talking about is that first-round loss last year,” Pearson said. “That's been on our minds and it's been our focus all year. So no matter who we play, where we end up in the league, or where we end up in the playoffs, we've been talking about that. We just don't want to repeat that.”
Warren is led by junior quarterback Madden Iamaleava, a four-star recruit according to 247Sports, and senior receiver Jordan Ross, a four-star recruit who is committed to Colorado State.
However, Pearson said Warren could not have defeated Downey without players like senior safety Jordan Jones, who is committed to UC Davis, and senior defensive lineman J.T. Houston, who is committed to Cal Poly, leading the team's defense. Houston, who serves as one of the team's emotional leaders, missed three weeks due to injury before returning for the Downey game but is still leading Warren with 47 tackles, 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss in six games.
“He really impacted the game as far as quarterback hurries, he had a sack,” Pearson said when asked about Houston's level of play. “He had four tackles and I think he really dictated what we did up front and made the quarterback feel uncomfortable all night. He was a huge plus.”
The depth of talent on both sides of the ball could make a difference for the Bears in the playoffs.
On offense, Pearson said there have been other impact players this season, including junior receiver Jace Brown, sophomore receiver
Jalen Ross, who is Jordan's younger brother, freshman running back Kelton Strickland, who has 925 yards rushing and seven touchdowns in eight games, and junior Lynnden Hodge.
The team's offensive line — senior left tackle Rogelio Baca, left guard Dallas Jackson, center Devan Matagi, right guard Eman Goodloe and junior right tackle Branden Meza — has helped the Bears balance their traditionally pass-heavy offense by paving the way so that Warren can can have a strong running attack, too.
“We've got five dogs up front,” Pearson said. “They're tough kids... They dictate what we do upfront.”
Warren is the No. 35 team in CalPreps' CIF-SS rankings. Last season, a No. 35 ranking would have landed the Bears in the Division 3 playoffs.