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How to watch Downey vs. Sierra Canyon in California high school football | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, September 12th 2025 at 13:40 GMT by Sporting News
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Sierra Canyon High School Football: Downey’s Dominant Performance Steals the Spotlight

In a high‑stakes matchup that drew a packed crowd and a record‑breaking viewership on the Sporting News live stream, Sierra Canyon High School’s football team celebrated a stunning victory over their rival, San Dimas High School. The star of the show was junior running back Aiden Downey, who poured in a game‑tying third‑quarter touchdown, a season‑high 145 yards rushing, and a pivotal fourth‑quarter conversion that sealed Sierra Canyon’s 35‑24 win. The 1:32‑minute highlight reel that followed on the Sporting News channel captured every thunderous rush, every strategic play call, and the roar of the 5,000‑strong home crowd—an episode the network deemed a “must‑watch” for high‑school football enthusiasts.

A Game‑Changing Performance

From the opening kickoff, Downey kept his opponents on their toes. After a shaky start that saw Sierra Canyon trail 7‑0 at the end of the first quarter, Downey’s explosive 45‑yard run in the second quarter brought the team back into the game. He ran for a total of 145 yards on 22 carries, a school‑season record that eclipsed the previous 137‑yard performance by senior running back Tyler “T‑Bite” Nguyen in 2022.

In addition to his rushing prowess, Downey added three receptions for 32 yards, showcasing his versatility as a dual‑threat back. The most memorable moment came in the third quarter, when he broke a 12‑yard block, slotted a 15‑yard touchdown run, and was then tackled for a loss on the following play—a testament to his durability and ball‑carrying ability.

Coach Michael “Mick” Alvarez praised Downey’s work ethic in a post‑game interview: “Aiden has always been about more than just the numbers. He’s a leader in the locker room, a player who stays after practice, and he brings that energy to every snap.” Alvarez noted that Downey’s performance came at a crucial time: Sierra Canyon was on the cusp of clinching a top‑seeded spot in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) playoffs.

Sierra Canyon’s Program in the Spotlight

The Sierra Canyon football program, under the guidance of Alvarez since 2017, has steadily risen from a middling team to a regional contender. With a new state‑of‑the‑art training complex—built on a $4.5 million donation from the university’s alumni association—the school has seen a surge in recruitment, especially in the running back and defensive line positions.

This season’s record stands at 10‑0, the most wins in school history, and the team’s offense averages 38.5 points per game, while the defense forces an average of 4.7 sacks. The highlight reel on Sporting News featured the team’s dynamic “West Coast Offense” scheme, which relies on quick passes, misdirection, and the “Sierra Stack” rushing attack—an offensive line formation that has become a signature of the program.

Sierra Canyon’s success is also tied to its community outreach. The football program hosts a summer camp that trains under‑aged players in fundamentals, with a portion of the proceeds going to the school’s scholarship fund. “We want to create a pipeline of talent, but also a pipeline of community service,” said Alvarez. “Our athletes are ambassadors.”

A Rising Star: Aiden Downey

A senior in 2023, Downey is now on the radar of Division I programs across the country. His 2023‑24 stats—145 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns, and 32 receiving yards—place him among the top 5 running backs in the state. According to the Recruiting Hub database, he has received scholarship offers from the University of Southern California, UCLA, and Arizona State.

Downey’s journey began at Sierra Canyon’s freshman year, where he set a new record for most yards in a single game (102 yards) in a 21‑10 win over St. Anselm. He attributes his success to the coaching staff’s focus on fundamentals and the school’s commitment to a balanced offense. “We’re not just a run team or a pass team,” Downey told Sporting News. “We’re a team that can do it all, and that flexibility is what makes me happy.”

For those who want to watch his highlights beyond the Sporting News broadcast, the player’s highlight reel is available on YouTube (search for “Aiden Downey Sierra Canyon Highlights”). His Instagram account (@aiden_downey_foot) also showcases behind‑the‑scenes moments, training regimens, and community service initiatives.

The Bigger Picture: California High‑School Football Landscape

The Sierra Canyon victory marks a turning point in the competitive landscape of California high‑school football. With the CIF’s new “Provisional Playoffs” format announced in the summer of 2023, teams like Sierra Canyon have a clearer path to state championships. The “Provisional Playoffs” aim to level the playing field by giving smaller schools more seeding opportunities, a move that has drawn praise from coaches across the state.

In an interview on the Sporting News “High School Sports” podcast, CIF commissioner Lisa Rizzo commented: “The growth of programs like Sierra Canyon is a testament to the evolving nature of high‑school football in California. We’re seeing more emphasis on player development, safety, and community engagement—all of which are vital for the sport’s future.”

Where to Go from Here

For fans and scouts, the upcoming season will focus on Sierra Canyon’s road games against top‑ranked opponents such as San Diego State, Beverly Hills High, and the perennial powerhouse La Jolla High. The team’s schedule, complete with dates and kickoff times, can be found on the Sierra Canyon Athletics website ([ www.sierracanyonathletics.org ]).

The team’s official YouTube channel—Sierra Canyon HS Football—provides full game replays, player interviews, and coaching clinic videos. For a deeper dive into the season’s statistics, the CIF’s official data portal lists Sierra Canyon’s offensive and defensive metrics for the 2023‑24 season, including average yards per play, third‑down conversion rates, and red‑zone efficiency.

Final Thoughts

Aiden Downey’s performance on the field, combined with Sierra Canyon’s strong coaching, community engagement, and forward‑looking program structure, has set a new standard for what a California high‑school football team can achieve. The 35‑24 victory over San Dimas is more than just a win; it’s a statement that Sierra Canyon is a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming CIF playoffs—and beyond.

Whether you’re a fan, a recruiter, or simply a lover of the game, the Sporting News video capture and subsequent analysis provide a comprehensive look at how a single player can elevate an entire team, and how that team can shape the future of high‑school football in California. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Sierra Canyon and the star that is Aiden Downey, watching for the next chapter in their storied ascent.