Lions All-Star Football Game Bittersweet for Downey Knights

The rosters were set, the venue was booked, and the final camp plans were in place as the 42nd Central California Lions All-Star Football Game approached on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Wayne Schneider Stadium at Tracy High. For Downey coach Jeremy Plaa, the start of all-star week brought real anticipation as players prepared to report for camp and begin practice.

Plaa, who guided the South team, described the buildup as exciting and difficult to believe was already arriving. The South was set to stay at Cal State Stanislaus in Turlock, while the North would stay at the University of the Pacific and practice at nearby Stagg High in Stockton.

The assignment carried special meaning for Plaa because it also served as a send-off for longtime Downey offensive coordinator Lynn Zwahlen, whose appearance in the Lions Game would be his first and last. After more than 30 years of coaching, Zwahlen planned to retire after the game and spend future falls following the college career of his son, Aaron Zwahlen, the former Downey and Lions all-star quarterback who was headed to Hawaii after completing his mission work.

Rather than piecing together a mixed all-star staff as he had done in 2004 while coaching at Gustine, Plaa brought nearly the entire Downey coaching staff. The South staff included Lynn Zwahlen, Albert Platt, Charles Butler, Casey Carver, Chris Cloward, Chris May, Ernie Sanchez, Ruben Platt, Anthony Castro, and Russ Garcia, giving the South a staff with position-specific roles throughout the roster.

That continuity was especially important because P.J. Wilson of Downey was the only quarterback listed on the South roster. Plaa believed Wilson's familiarity with the system would accelerate installation and help the other players learn the offense quickly. Wilson entered the week coming off a standout season in which he threw for 2,901 yards and 34 touchdowns while also rushing for 590 yards and 15 scores.

With Wilson running the offense and Plaa and Zwahlen calling the shots, the South had no intention of playing conservatively. Even though the North had won eight of the previous 11 games and held a 24-15-2 all-time series lead, Plaa made clear that the South planned to attack, throw the ball, and make full use of the field. The coaching staff had selected six wide receivers specifically to create competition during camp and open up options for a pass-first game plan.

For Plaa and the Downey program, the week leading into the game was exciting but also emotional. Zwahlen's pending retirement gave the moment added meaning, and the Lions Game became both a celebration of the South all-stars and a final high-profile run for one of the key architects of Downey's explosive offense.