Brown Joins Select Club as San Fernando Coasts, 41-6

Leonice Brown took a step into the San Fernando High record book and the Tigers took a stride forward in the City Section 4-A Division playoffs with a 41-6 first-round victory over Chatsworth on Wednesday night at San Fernando High.

Brown rushed for 114 yards in 13 carries, including 53 on a second-quarter touchdown run, to become only the eighth San Fernando player to break the 1,000-yard rushing mark and the first since 1983. Brown, a 5-11, 180-pound senior halfback who transferred from Crespi this season, has 1,040 yards and is 10th on the school single-season rushing list.

Anthony Davis, Charles White and Chris Richards each rushed for at least 1,000 yards twice in a season. Brown is White’s half-brother.

“This is the best time of my life,” Brown said. “To be right up there with Charles (White) is great. I should have been here last year.”

San Fernando (7-4) broke a tight 7-6 game in the second quarter with 34 consecutive points. The Tigers rolled up 331 yards while limiting Chatsworth (2-8) to 20 yards in the second half and 125 in the game.

San Fernando quarterback Cruz Trevino completed six of 11 passes for 136 yards. Trevino scored on a three-yard run with 19 seconds left in the third quarter and connected with William Taylor on a 50-yard touchdown pass that increased San Fernando’s lead to 34-6 less than four minutes later.

“We really didn’t get up for the game,” San Fernando Coach Tom Hernandez said. “Our defense played well the entire game, but it just took us a while before we got moving.”

San Fernando had five sacks, including two by linebacker Amon Flanagan, and Keith Wood had two interceptions.

Jose Servin’s 62-yard punt to the Chatsworth six-yard line set up San Fernando’s first score.

The Tigers stopped Chatsworth on downs and Taylor returned Joynier Lockett’s punt 43 yards to the three-yard line. Two plays later, Lennie Avalos plunged in from two yards and Servin added the extra point to give San Fernando a 7-0 lead with 1:51 left in the first period.

Brian Comer scored on a one-yard run to cut the deficit to 7-6 midway through the second quarter. One play earlier, Rayna Stewart (101 yards in nine carries) bolted 63 yards to set up Comer’s run.

It was the 10th meeting between the schools. San Fernando leads the series, 9-1.