Sylmar Romps Behind Brookins’ 211 Yards

Sylmar High running back Tobaise Brookins took care of the offense and the defense took care of itself Wednesday night as the Spartans routed visiting South Gate, 38-6, in the first round of the City Section 3-A Division football playoffs.

Sylmar (10-0) will face Belmont (9-1) in the quarterfinals next week at Sylmar.

Brookins, a 6-foot, 175-pound junior, rushed for 211 yards in 30 carries and scored three times to help the Spartans blow out a school that won the 3-A title two years ago.

But this time South Gate (5-5) didn’t stand a chance against Sylmar’s hard-hitting secondary and explosive offensive line.

Sylmar was leading, 38-0, late in the fourth quarter, and it looked like the Spartans would record their sixth shutout. But a third-string defensive back got turned around on a 30-yard pass on third and 19, and, one play later, the Rams scored their lone touchdown on Gilbert Gonzalez’s two-yard run.

After the opening kickoff, South Gate set off on what would be its most impressive drive of the game. The Rams went 49 yards in 12 plays, converting three first downs, to the Spartans’ 13-yard line. Jesse Garcia’s 30-yard field-goal attempt was wide left, and Sylmar took over at its 20.

On Sylmar’s second play from scrimmage, South Gate got a good look at Brookins--from behind--as he went 77 yards untouched for his first score.

“(The offensive line) opened up the hole and it was just me and the free safety,” Brookins said. “And I knew he wouldn’t touch me.”

One play after the ensuing kickoff, Sylmar’s Daniel Terry picked off a pass from quarterback Danny Barrera and returned it to the Ram 38.

Nine plays later, Brookins scored again, on a one-yard run, to give the Spartans a 14-0 first-quarter lead.

Oscar Hernandez kicked a 31-yard field goal and Brookins scored his third touchdown on a three-yard run to give the Spartans a 24-0 halftime lead.

Girmar Johnson, who was everywhere on defense, scored on a three-yard run on the Spartans’ second possession of the second half. Ramon Lopez’s one-yard run in fourth quarter accounted for the Spartans’ final score.