Sylmar Stuns San Fernando Behind Brookins, 31-7

Some fans stood in line 35 minutes Wednesday night to buy a ticket for what was supposed to be a great matchup between two football teams from adjoining neighborhoods.

But some of those same fans were heading for the parking lot in the third quarter because they had seen enough.

Before a crowd of 8,000, Sylmar High dominated favored San Fernando, 31-7, in a City Section 4-A Division quarterfinal at Birmingham High. Sylmar (10-1), the two-time defending East Valley League champion, will play Dorsey, a 25-6 winner over Locke, in a semifinal Dec. 6.

Sylmar tailback Tobaise Brookins played with great inspiration, rushing for 189 yards in 30 carries and scoring three touchdowns. but the 6-foot, 180-pound senior deferred the credit.

“Our big boys won it for us again,” said Brookins of his offensive line.

The Spartans received a pep talk before the game from former lineman Kenyatta Green, now a redshirt at Ohio State. Green, who graduated from Sylmar last spring, regrets not having been a City champion and he told the Spartans to try to avoid the same regrets.

“Kenyatta said it’s time for Sylmar,” Brookins said.

Sylmar jumped to a 10-0 lead before San Fernando quarterback Leon Blunt took his first snap.

Brian Roberson’s 24-yard kickoff return on the opening kickoff set up Sylmar’s first series at its 41. The Spartans scored on their fifth play on an eight-yard run by Brookins, Whose four runs in the series accounted for 45 yards.

The Spartans recovered the ensuing kickoff at San Fernando’s 11-yard line when Tiger returner Brian Brison stood frozen as the ball bounced nearby. Sylmar’s Ramon Lopez recovered the untouched kickoff and Sylmar capitalized with a 27-yard field goal by Martin Castillo. Sylmar also recovered an onside kick late in the second quarter.

Sylmar took 17-0 lead in the second quarter on Roberson’s 52-yard touchdown run.

San Fernando (10-2) scored on its first possession of the second quarter, driving 63 yards in 10 plays. LaKarlos Townsend, who was limited to just 65 yards in 25 carries, scored on a two-yard dive to cut Sylmar’s lead to 17-7.

But the Tigers never recovered from Sylmar’s quick start.