Downs steps down as the Los Gatos f-s football coach
By Dick Sparrer
Frosh-soph football is supposed to mark the beginning for young players just getting involved in the sport at the high school level.
But for veteran head coach Scott Downs it's the end of the line.
After an outstanding 1999 season and a sensational 10-year run at Los Gatos High, Downs announced that he is stepping down as the Gatos head frosh-soph coach.
The announcement came at the team's banquet last weekend when Los Gatos players were honored for an outstanding 9-1 season.
"It was kind of emotional, but I have no twinge of regret," said Downs, who plans to spend more time with his family and concentrate his professional efforts in the art department at the high school.
And Downs wouldn't allow his announcement to overshadow the accomplishments of his young Wildcats, who came within a touchdown of winning the championship in the rugged De Anza Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League this fall.
"It was a very good year," said Downs, whose club went 5-1 in the division, losing only to Wilcox.
Charlie Clark and Kenny Heimer led the Wildcats to the solid finish, and they were honored with special awards for their efforts.
Clark was named the most valuable offensive back in the league and Heimer was picked as the most valuable defensive lineman. The two shared the team's most valuable player award, and Heimer was also named the team's outstanding defensive player of the year and the most inspirational player.
Scott Cohn, Chris Willard, Evan McDonald and Nick Crafford were picked to the all-league first team offense and James Furlo, Travis Howell, Chris McMorrow, Stuart Gordon, Matt Cooke and David Fencl were all-league first team defensive picks.
Winning all-league second honors were Tom Ferguson, Steve Sweeny, Ben Miller and Ryan Johnson for offense and Peter Kiszka, Brandon Brigham, Eric Brown and Josh Inman for defense.
Derek Tam, John Allen, Matt Losch and Cameron Fee were named to the all-league honorable mention list.
Claiming team awards were Gordon, best defensive lineman; Crafford, best offensive lineman; Cooke, best defensive back; Willard, best offensive back; Cone, most improved player; Sweeny, team captain; and Furlo, Jeff Peckler Award.
Downs spent 10 years as the Los Gatos frosh-soph coach. He coached for seven seasons, leading the Wildcats to five titles and a second-place finish in that span, before leaving the program for a few years. He returned to coach the Cats for the last three years, each club finishing second in the league race.
Under his leadership, the Cats have posted a 71-22-2 record, and they have roared to a 48-10-1 showing in league play.
"I'm real proud of our league record over the years," said Downs.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
