HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS : Sylmar Falls to Belmont in City 3-A Quarterfinal

Belmont High’s tough big-play defense put an end to Sylmar’s storybook season with a 17-15 victory over the previously undefeated Spartans in a City Section 3-A Division quarterfinal at Sylmar on Friday.

The Spartans (10-1), who had outscored opponents, 330-75, this season, have not had much experience in come-from-behind efforts. Only an early-season win over El Camino Real--in which Sylmar overcame a 10-point halftime deficit for a 28-21 nonleague victory--tested the Spartans’ second-half magic.

But Sylmar pulled out the stops in the fourth quarter, running a fake punt on fourth and seven at its 44-yard line while trailing, 17-7. Ramon Lopez stepped in front of the snap and broke one tackle before racing 44 yards to Belmont’s 12.

After Sylmar picked up a first down, it took the Spartans four rushing plays to go two yards for the score. Junior running back Tobaise Brookins plunged into the end zone on a one-yard run for his second touchdown of the game. Brookins finished with 76 yards in 23 carries.

Sylmar suffered with five turnovers and what Coach Jeff Engilman called a case of nerves and poor team execution.

“We just broke down,” Engilman said. “I don’t know why. If I did I’d be up in the pros someplace.”

Quarterback Daniel Terry went around the right side for the two-point conversion, cutting Belmont’s lead to 17-15 with 4:43 left to play.

Sylmar’s onside kick was unsuccessful, though, and Belmont (10-1) took over at the Spartans’ 46. Two plays later, Sylmar’s Brian Roberson picked off a long, lofty pass from quarterback Gino Contreras at the Spartans’ 19.

Sylmar had plenty of time--3:22--to drive downfield for a score, but Belmont’s defense came up with the big play to stop the drive.

Terry hit Roberson on a 12-yard down-and-out pattern, but the ball popped loose when Roberson was hit at the Sylmar 38, and Francisco Sorto fell on the fumble to stop the Spartans.

Sylmar was stunned at the start of the game when Belmont’s Tajh Evans returned Oscar Hernandez’s opening kickoff 65 yards to Sylmar’s 20-yard line.

But the Spartans’ defensive line would not budge, stopping two runs at the line of scrimmage. Then Sylmar’s Julian Acosta dropped quarterback Gino Contreras for a six-yard loss.

Sylmar, however, also sputtered offensively in the first quarter. Three penalties in its first series netted a 20-yard loss, and the Spartans were forced to punt after two incomplete passes and a six-yard gain by Brookins.

Terry’s 54-yard run in the second quarter put the Spartans on Belmont’s 24-yard line. After Sylmar converted a third and six, Terry couldn’t handle a low snap from center and Belmont’s Marcione Evans jumped on it at the Sentinel 11.

Sylmar scored on its next possession after a seven-play, 43-yard drive. Brookins’ two-yard touchdown run gave Sylmar a 7-0 lead.

Belmont came back on the ensuing series with a 53-yard drive of its own. Contreras hit Evans on an eight-yard fade route in the corner of the end zone to tie the score, 7-7.

Terry then fumbled on the Spartans’ first play after the ensuing kickoff, and Belmont’s Jack Lopez recovered.

Contreras hit Evans on the next play for a 38-yard touchdown and a 14-7 lead.