Paramount Remains Undefeated

Not only is the San Gabriel Valley League championship usually at stake when Compton Dominguez High and Paramount play, but so are bragging rights--Paramount’s school district begins across the street from Dominguez.

“We try to think about other teams, but this game is in the back of our minds all season long,” Paramount quarterback Mike Fletcher said. “I played Pop Warner football against these guys.”

Fletcher sparked the Pirates to a 13-0 victory Friday night at Paramount (7-0, 3-0 in league play), giving his team the inside track for the league title.

Since 1986, the winner of this matchup has won the league championship five times.

“This is the best feeling I’ve ever had,” said Pirate running back Rafa Villasenor, who rushed for a game-high 111 yards in 21 carries and scored the clinching touchdown with about three minutes remaining in the game.

“It’s the sweetest win of my life.”

The Dons (6-1, 3-1) were hurt by first-half mistakes.

A clipping penalty nullified a 76-yard touchdown pass play from Dominguez quarterback Anthony Bilbo to Zachery Swopshire in the second quarter. The Dons also committed two turnovers inside the Pirates’ 25-yard line.

The Dons didn’t get such scoring opportunities after halftime, gaining only 77 yards in the second half.

Fletcher threw a 36-yard scoring pass to Jeffery Butler in the third quarter to give Paramount a 7-0 lead. He later engineered a 10-play, 63-yard scoring drive capped by Villasenor’s touchdown.