Monroe Is Victim No. 68 for Streaky Sylmar, 48-28

A 68-game league winning streak can be measured many ways.

David Contreras, Sylmar High’s high-revolution running back, recalls the playing days of his uncle, Albert Contreras, an All-City Section Spartan linebacker in 1991.

“It started even before he played,” David Contreras said.

Thanks in large part to Contreras’ three touchdowns and 189 yards, Sylmar streaked into the state record book with a 48-28 victory over Monroe on Friday night in a Valley Mission League opener, tying the mark held by Salinas Palma.

Streaks were the order of the evening.

Sylmar (4-2) scored on its first seven possessions, a streak snapped only because quarterback John Valdez took a knee inside the Monroe 10-yard line in the final minute.

Valdez, a junior emerging as an equal to more touted City passers, completed his first nine passes and finished 10 of 11 for 156 yards. Only a dropped pass kept him from being perfect.

“Our offense really cranked,” said Jeff Engilman, Sylmar’s coach throughout the winning streak that began in 1989.

“John Valdez is starting to blossom, our line blocked well and David ran hard.’

Monroe (5-1) came in unbeaten under first-year Coach Chris Richards, but couldn’t keep up with Sylmar’s unwavering attack. The Spartans gained 465 yards, including 309 on the ground.

Sylmar scored two touchdowns in the first quarter and threatened to run away with the game early, but Monroe came back behind the running of Tyrone Burwell.

In fact, the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Burwell was like a semi-truck. He rushed for 162 yards in 20 carries and keyed three scoring drives that kept Monroe within 28-20 at halftime.

But despite missing several starters to injuries and a suspension, Sylmar dominated the second half.

A 65-yard scoring drive on the Spartans’ first third-quarter possession--highlighted by a 36-yard pass play from Valdez to Eddie Gomez--increased the margin to 35-20.

Monroe chewed up six minutes and 52 yards in 13 plays on its next possession, but turned the ball over on downs at the Sylmar 15. The Spartans scored in five plays, with Contreras ripping off gains of 18 and 38 yards, and Mark Sutton reaching the end zone on a 15-yard run.

“We are banged up, but it didn’t matter,” said Sutton, who played linebacker and running back despite a sore shoulder.

Free safety Damon Derrico was suspended from school, center Billy Truax was out because of a leg injury and linebacker Josh Martin played with a shoulder injury.

Moments after the game, however, every Spartan felt fine. Engilman gathered the team and yelled, “How does it feel to be part of a state record?”

The players answered with a roar that resounded over 10 years and 68 league games.