Livingston Gets Victory, Save for Sylmar, 28-25

It could have been any number of players on the Sylmar High football team.

This time it was Donnell Livingston’s turn to be the hero.

Livingston scored on a 27-yard pass play with 1:03 remaining, breaking a tackle on the way to the end zone to give the Spartans a come-from-behind 28-25 victory over San Fernando in a Valley Mission League game before 8,000 fans at San Fernando.

Livingston kept Sylmar’s touchdown drive alive on the previous play when he recovered an errant pitch by quarterback John Valdez.

“He’s like the whole team,” Coach Jeff Engilman of Sylmar said. “We have a lot of gamers and that’s what makes championship teams.”

Even after Livington’s touchdown, the Spartans (9-0, 4-0 in league play) had to fend off one last drive by San Fernando (5-4, 2-2).

The Tigers, who led, 18-0, in the second quarter, drove to the Sylmar 35 in the final minute.

But Jason Adams intercepted a pass by Ruben Nevarez at the Sylmar five-yard line with eight seconds remaining to clinch the victory for the Spartans.

Sylmar won despite a brilliant all-around effort by Ramon Perry of San Fernando, who had five carries for 88 yards and two touchdowns, and made four catches for 79 yards and a touchdown.

Valdez completed seven of 12 passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown in 11 carries for Sylmar.