Reseda Told of Autopsy Before Game

Knowing that results of an autopsy showed their teammate died of head injuries apparently suffered during a game, the Reseda High football team played Friday night, losing its Valley Pac-8 Conference opener against Sylmar, 31-7.

Several members of Eric Hoggatt’s family attended the game, but many of the crowd at Reseda had not heard about the coroner’s findings. Hoggatt’s former football and basketball teammates were told during sixth-period team meetings.

“After all they’ve been through, I had no doubt they would hang in there,” said Reseda Coach Joel Schaeffer. School district officials would not allow players to be interviewed.

A moment of silence for Hoggatt, who died in his sleep only hours after a Sept. 12 game against Chatsworth, was observed before all Valley Pac-8 games Friday.

An autopsy performed Sept. 14 concluded that the running back died of head trauma with subdural hemorrhage, a buildup of blood inside the skull caused by ruptured veins, said Los Angeles County Coroner’s spokesman Tom Schwabe.

Reseda (1-3) was never in the game against Sylmar (2-2), falling behind, 31-0, midway through the third quarter. The Regents didn’t cross midfield until early in the fourth quarter, when quarterback Jamaal Washington completed a 59-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Michael Martin.

Reseda played Sylmar even in the second half, with each team scoring one touchdown.

Shaun Avalos led Sylmar, scoring touchdowns on a 50-yard pass reception and a 51-yard punt return. He also kicked a 32-yard field, and had two scoring punt returns nullified by penalties in the third quarter.

Avalos, a junior wide receiver, had four receptions for 76 yards.

Spartan quarterback Chris Cervantes completed nine of 16 passes for 163 yards and three touchdowns. Two of the scoring passes went to tight end Jose Ochoa, covering 42 and 43 yards.

Reseda running back Richard Jackson rushed for 61 yards in 14 carries.

Times correspondent Greg Anapol contributed to this report.