North Hollywood Huskies Triumph Over Sylmar Spartans, 42-35

The North Hollywood Huskies visited the Sylmar Spartans to kick off the first round of the Division II City Section playoffs. North Hollywood entered the matchup with a 7-3 record and an undefeated 7-0 run in the East Valley League. Sylmar, meanwhile, came in at 6-4 overall and 3-3 in Valley Mission League play.

A North Hollywood Huskies football player wearing a white and blue uniform runs with the ball while being pursued by a player from the Sylmar Spartans, who is wearing a dark blue uniform. — *Photo by VST senior photographer Benjamin Becher*

Two football players from the North Hollywood Huskies celebrate on the field, wearing white uniforms with blue accents. One player is patting the other on the shoulder, while another player stands nearby. — *Photo by VST senior photographer Benjamin Becher*

The Huskies came out hot in the first half, exploding for 27 points against the Spartans. Running back Gaven Zamora found open lanes early, scoring on 25-yard and 9-yard touchdown runs. Quarterback Logan Grant connected with Josiah Taylor for a 76-yard touchdown and Taylor also added a 60-yard rushing score. Sylmar struggled to get going offensively, managing just one touchdown before halftime to make it a 27-7 game.

A high school football player in a blue jersey prepares to pass the ball while being pursued by opposing players on the field. — *Photo by VST senior photographer Benjamin Becher*

The Spartans were without their starting quarterback, Tim Tanner Jr. North Hollywood head coach Scott Faer said after the game, “We actually prepared for their number 1 quarterback not knowing if he was going to be out.” Sylmar started their backup, Daniel Flores, who had a tough first half but began to find his rhythm after halftime.

A North Hollywood Huskies football player, wearing a blue and white jersey, runs with the ball during a game against the Sylmar Spartans. — *Photo by VST senior photographer Benjamin Becher*

In the second half, the Huskies continued to move the ball efficiently, adding 15 more points, including another touchdown from Zamora. But the Spartans refused to go down quietly. They rallied in the fourth quarter, putting up 21 points to close the gap to 42-35 after a late touchdown catch by Ricardo Azenitzky with just a minute remaining.

A football player in a blue uniform catches a pass while a defender in a white and blue uniform attempts to intercept the ball during a night game. — *Photo by VST senior photographer Benjamin Becher*

A football player wearing a dark blue jersey reaches for a pass while two opponents in white uniforms attempt to defend. The scene takes place on a green football field under stadium lights. — *Photo by VST senior photographer Benjamin Becher*

Sylmar attempted an onside kick but couldn’t recover it, and North Hollywood ran out the clock to secure the 42-35 win.

Sylmar’s head coach Evander Williams stated at the end of the game, “They (North Hollywood) do what they do and they do it well. We try to make a run in the second half too late, a little too late.”

Two football players from the North Hollywood Huskies team on the field during a game, with one player preparing to receive a snap while the other is in motion. — *Photo by VST senior photographer Benjamin Becher*

Our VST Player of the Game, Gaven Zamora, finished with three touchdowns and several big runs. After the game, he said, “I have to thank my blockers they all blocked and made the holes for me.”

With the victory, North Hollywood advances to face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Division II quarterfinals. The Cavaliers are coming off a 24-3 first-round win over Legacy High School. The quarterfinal contest will take place Friday, November 14 at Cleveland High School with kick-off currently set for 7:00 P.M.