Sylmar’s Second-Half Struggles Could Make Canoga Park First

If Canoga Park (6-2, 5-0 in conference play) can stay with Sylmar (7-1, 5-0) until halftime tonight, the Hunters might have a chance at ending the Spartans’ 58-game winning streak in Valley Pac-8 Conference play.

Offensively, Sylmar has been shut out in the second half in three of four away games this season. The Spartans have not scored in the second half in their past two games against Grant and Monroe.

“Normally we’re a very good second-half team. Not in the last two weeks,” Sylmar Coach Jeff Engilman said.

“We have struggled. We haven’t been consistent at all.”

The Spartans have averaged 110 yards in penalties the past two weeks.

Sylmar, which has outscored opponents, 280-55, is averaging just 10 points in the second half, compared to 25 in the first.

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Record night: L.A. Baptist quarterback Peter Dirksen threw for 411 yards and six touchdowns and accumulated 449 yards in total offense during the Knights’ 63-12 victory over Maranatha last Friday, setting school records in all three categories.

He brought his career totals to 5,295 passing yards and 49 touchdowns, also school records.

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Junior achievement: Santa Clara High hasn’t done much this season.

The Saints (1-7) have been held scoreless in six of their eight football games and have allowed more than twice as many yards, 2,167, as they have gained, 941.

Maybe the only thing to look forward to is the junior varsity team, which is 6-2.

Then again, the Saints have finished .500 or better in five of the past six years at the junior varsity level.

“I’m mystified,” offensive coordinator Kevin Sherry said of the Saints’ failure to carry over the success. “It’s frustrating.”

The current crop of seniors went 9-1 as freshmen, but the Saints have lost several players to transfers and ineligibility.

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Back on the field: Seven Glendale High football players are expected back in uniform tonight for their Pacific League game at Arcadia after being suspended from last week’s 54-6 loss to Crescenta Valley.

“There are certain things we are trying to teach beyond football,” said Coach Pete Smolin, who did not allow six starters and one reserve to suit up after they each missed a practice during the week.

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Scoreboard: Poly scored more points against Grant in a 40-29 victory last week than any of the Lancers’ previous seven opponents.

Before last week, 31 points was the most scored against Grant.

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Honored: Quartz Hill’s John Albee will be honored tonight for his 30 years as Rebel football coach following the Golden League game against visiting Lancaster.

Those who played for Albee through the past three decades are invited.