Canoga Park Falls Short in Long Run

Canoga Park High came out against Sylmar with the same intensity as a year ago, but once again was denied what would be the biggest upset of the 1990s in the Valley Pac-8 Conference.

Canoga Park had a chance to tie the score or go ahead late in the game following Mike Spangle’s touchdown pass to Mike Shoemaker.

But Shoemaker’s conversion kick was a line drive into his linemen, giving Sylmar inspiration to score again for a 26-18 victory that stretched its conference winning streak to 59 games.

“Those guys are scrappy,” Sylmar Coach Jeff Engilman said. “They always play us tough.”

When Spangle connected with Shoemaker on a seven-yard strike on fourth and six, Canoga Park closed to within 19-18.

But the Hunters (6-3, 5-1 in conference play), who gave the Spartans all they could handle from start to finish, seemed deflated by Shoemaker’s miss and Sylmar didn’t wait around to offer condolences.

“Four and half minutes to go, defense was stopping them,” Canoga Park’s Rudy Lugo said. “I was counting on another possession.”

Aided by Anthony Well’s 42-yard kickoff return, Sylmar drove 48 yards in four plays, scoring on Errol Bowen’s 33-yard run with 2:46 left.

On Canoga Park’s ensuing possession, Shaun Avalos intercepted a pass by Spangle intended for Victory Torres and returned it 31 yards to the Hunter 27.

Sylmar (8-1, 6-0) picked up a critical first down on a quarterback sneak by Noah Albiston on fourth and one before running out the clock.

Canoga Park made few mistakes against Sylmar, which out-gained the Hunters, 282 yards to 279.

In the third quarter, Marlon Bourdess of Canoga Park caused Albiston to fumble, picked up the fumble and returned it to the Sylmar 26. But the Hunters couldn’t get closer than the eight and settled for a 25-yard field goal by Shoemaker to tie it, 12-12.

Sylmar took a 19-12 lead on a one-yard run by Donald Carpenter, capping a 75-yard drive.

Sylmar got off to a slow start and Canoga Park dominated the first quarter. After Sylmar went three and out on its first series, Junior Galvan’s 35-yard punt return gave Canoga Park possession at the Sylmar 32. Eight plays later on fourth down at the five, Canoga Park settled for a 22-yard field goal by Philip Mramor.

Sylmar responded with an eight-play, 60-yard drive, kept alive twice on third and long on receptions by Avalos. Errol Bowen’s 21-yard run gave Sylmar a 6-3 lead early in the second quarter.

The Spartans made it 12-3 on an eight-yard pass play from Albiston to George Wrighster with 3:24 until halftime.