Downey High Defeats Cerritos High in Football

Downey High secures a 46-20 victory against Cerritos High in a recent high school football matchup.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Football

Downey High Defeats Cerritos High in Football

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Downey High defeated Cerritos High 46-20 on October 23, 2026. The visiting team pulled ahead after scoring 32 unanswered points following a 14-6 game state.

Why it matters

Cerritos coach Demel Franklin identified special teams errors and a pivotal interception return for a touchdown as the primary factors in the team's defeat. The loss highlights the offensive impact of missing running back Sam Reeves, who sat out due to knee fatigue.

Cerritos quarterback Evan McDonald completed 24 of 37 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns, while teammate Roman Bateman recorded 12 catches for 95 yards. Downey High's Damani Porras scored on a 100-yard interception return, and Chase Watkins added a 56-yard touchdown run.

The players

Demel Franklin

Demel Franklin serves as the head coach for the Cerritos High football program.

Evan McDonald

Evan McDonald is the starting quarterback for the Cerritos High football team.

Sam Reeves

Sam Reeves is a key running back for Cerritos High who has accumulated 311 rushing yards this season.

Damani Porras

Damani Porras is a player for Downey High who contributed a 100-yard interception return touchdown.

Chase Watkins

Chase Watkins is the quarterback for Downey High who recorded a 56-yard rushing touchdown.

The details

Cerritos struggled to move the ball on the ground, managing only 13 total rushing yards during the contest. The team was forced to rely heavily on their passing game while Sam Reeves remained sidelined for the matchup.

The football game between Cerritos and Downey took place on October 23, 2026.
Cerritos is scheduled to play their season finale against Warren High on October 30, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This outcome reshapes the late-season standings as teams jockey for position within the 2026 high school football season schedule. The loss places significant pressure on Cerritos to perform in their final game to impact their postseason seeding.

The result impacts the team's standing and overall momentum entering the final week of the regular season. The anticipated return of Sam Reeves for the next game could significantly shift the offensive efficiency and play-calling strategy.

The takeaway

Maintaining depth and protecting key players from wear and tear is essential for sustaining performance through the end of the season. Teams that rely on one-dimensional play due to injuries often struggle to overcome defensive pressure in critical matchups.