Pitman-Downey a record-setting game

Running back Dominick Walker made sure Pitman High's 77-35 victory over Downey was one for the record books, literally.

The Pride's running back (eight carries, 251 yards, four TDs) tied a state record with his 99-yard touchdown run late in the first half of Friday's explosive football game, and it helped assure that the teams would obliterate the state record for most offensive yards in a game.

Pitman and Downey combined for 1,420 yards, surpassing the previous mark of 1,295 yards set in 1995 during Mater Dei's 51-37 win over Centennial of Corona, according to CalHiSports.com. The Mater Dei quarterback that night was Matt Barkley, now taking snaps at USC.

Downey helped push that record yardage total, as quarterback Jason Lee passed for 488 yards and ran for 79 more for a total of 567 yards. He also threw five touchdown passes.

Pitman nearly set a state record for rushing yards in a game. The Pride's 731 yards on the ground is second only to the 736 yards that Life Christian piled up in 1992 — New Life is in the Southern California city of Downey. The Pride's total yardage of 821 yards is fourth on the all-time list, with the record being 912.

The amazing thing is the Pride did much of its damage in just one half: It led 63-21 at halftime, and both teams motored through the second half while scoring just 14 points apiece.

You would think Pitman's 42-point second quarter and 63-point first half might have been records, too, but CalHiSports editor Mark Tennis said otherwise. The state records are 58 and 83, respectively.

Check out Stanislaus Football Weekly on Wednesday, when Bee prep editor Richard T. Estrada interviews Downey quarterback Jason Lee. The show will be available at www.modbee.com/hsfootball.