Sylmar Takes It for Granted, 21-7

Coach Jeff Engilman was disappointed with what he considered a lackluster performance, but Sylmar High still recorded its 57th consecutive Valley Pac-8 Conference victory by defeating Grant, 21-7, Friday at Grant.

The offensive line, which has been plagued by injuries and lack of depth, cleared the way for Errol Bowen’s 169 yards rushing and two touchdowns in 15 carries. But it did little else against a defense that allows an average of 220 rushing yards.

Also, Ray Solis, a two-way starter for Sylmar at tackle, was ejected for fighting early in the fourth quarter and will have to sit out the Spartans’ game against Monroe next week.

After taking a 21-0 lead in the first half, Sylmar managed only four first downs in five second-half possessions and did not score.

“We came out blowing ‘em away,” Engilman said. “Then I had trouble keeping them awake at halftime.”

The Sylmar defense was another story, picking off five Grant passes. Shaun Avalos made three of the interceptions.

Sylmar (6-1, 4-0 in conference play) scored on its first possession on a 69-yard drive following an interception by linebacker Joey LaPorte. Bowen, who ran five times for 51 yards in the drive, scored on an eight-yard run five minutes into the game.

A 40-yard interception return for a touchdown by Corey Neal gave Sylmar a 14-0 lead after the first quarter.

The Spartans made it 21-0 on Bowen’s nifty 40-yard run in the second quarter.

Grant (2-5, 0-4) scored on a 33-yard pass play from Lawrence Monroy to Robert Mitchell in the third quarter.