Canoga Park Is Surprise Party Guest

Thirteen of the 17 City Section schools in the Valley qualified for either the City Championship or City Invitational playoffs, including 10 of 12 teams in the Valley Mission and West Valley leagues.

But no team is more of a surprise than Canoga Park barreling into the Championship playoffs.

Behind a defense that surrenders lots of yards, but not many points, the Hunters upset North Hollywood, 31-12, to earn a share of the Sunset Six League title.

“Our kids play with their hearts,” Coach Rudy Lugo said.

Since losing to Poly on a night the 1968 Canoga Park City championship team was honored at halftime, the Hunters have reeled off three victories in a row.

“The kids were really nervous [against Poly],” Lugo said. “They wanted to do well so badly. One of their faults is that they try too hard and don’t play naturally. They want to do well with all their hearts.”

Heart eventually becomes a positive force.

A defense led by linebackers Oscar Carpio, Jose Chaparro and Charlie Shoemaker, and linemen Saul Lopez and Douglas Zelaya has allowed an average of 12.9 points--best among Valley City teams.

The offense relied on quarterback Mike Spangle for much of the season, but has become more balanced. Transfer Marques Giles has rushed for 183 yards and scored five touchdowns in the last two weeks.

“There is improvement all around,” Lugo said.

No. 15-seeded Canoga Park (6-4) will again need to step up its game against No. 2-seeded Franklin (10-0).

“We are going after them like we go after anybody,” Lugo said.

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Sylmar clearly enjoyed playing before a full house of 5,500 at home in a 31-6 victory over San Fernando on Friday night.

And the Spartans were prepared for the noise of a large crowd. They can thank the 1991 Sylmar team--which defeated San Fernando in a playoff game--for helping them prepare.

“We watched film of the ’91 game and turned the volume up high so we could hear the crowd,” said Clifford Johnson, a Sylmar receiver. “We knew it would be the same atmosphere.”

Sylmar won the meeting eight years ago, 31-7.

This time, the Spartans did it one better--one point better.