Sylmar Spartans Secure First Win of 2026 Season Against Arroyo

The Sylmar Spartans took their home field on Friday night for the first time since their tough 42-35 loss to North Hollywood in the CIF D2 Playoffs last season. After starting their 2026 campaign with a disappointing 49-0 loss to Saugus, the Spartans looked to rebound in a matchup with the Arroyo Eagles from the East Valley League. Sylmar earned three takeaways and a first half shutout before the offense got going in the 4th quarter in the 26-14 victory.

The game got off to a slow start offensively with Sylmar turning the ball over on downs on their first possession. Penalties stifled the opening drive for Arroyo, as they inevitably punted the ball back to the Spartans. Sylmar senior quarterback Daniel Flores retook the field where he lead them down the field, airing it out for two first down conversions. The drive concluded with a 6-yard touchdown run by Flores for an early 7-0 lead.

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Arroyo responded on their next drive by using the running game to move the chains into red zone territory. An offensive holding penalty backed up the Eagles into a 4th & long scenario. Eagles’ sophomore quarterback Timothy Stamps threw an interception in the end zone to Sylmar senior defensive back Chasen Causey for the first of three interceptions by the Spartans.

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Sylmar was unable to capitalize off of the turnover, as the Eagles defense forced a three-and-out on their next possession. Arroyo’s offense tried to get back on track as the game moved into the second quarter, but eventually turned the ball over on downs after a fourth down stop from the Spartans. The Spartans offense took over an began to methodically move the ball down the field, including a fourth down conversion from Flores on a QB run.

A football player in a purple uniform makes an impressive catch while being defended by an opponent in a white uniform during a night game.

The pendulum momentarily swung towards the Eagles when Arroyo junior safety Jonathan Garcia intercepted the ball. However, the takeaway was called back by a roughing the passer penalty on the Arroyo defense. The drive resumed for the Spartans in Eagles territory where, four plays later on 4th & 8, Flores threw a back shoulder pass to senior wide out Justin Lopez Arroyo for a 12-yard touchdown and a 13-0 lead following a missed extra point attempt.

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With 3:09 left in the first half, the penalties continued for the Eagles on their next offensive possession. Already backed up into a 1st & 20 scenario, Sylmar recorded their second turnover of the game when Flores picked off a pass from Stamps with 48.0 seconds left in the half. Sylmar chewed up the remaining clock into the halftime break.

The second half began with a quarterback change for Arroyo, turning to freshman Levi Clark under center. In spite of the move, their offense turned the ball on downs after benefiting from an automatic first down from a Sylmar penalty. However, Arroyo got right back into the game through the defensive end when junior cornerback Rodolfo Llamas picked off a pass from Flores and returned it for a touchdown to cut Sylmar’s lead to 13-7 with 6:33 left in the 3rd quarter.

A high school football player in a purple uniform catches a pass while two defenders in white uniforms attempt to tackle him. An official watches the play, and a spectator takes photos in the background.

Sylmar was forced to punt on their next drive after two back-breaking penalties put an end to their possession. On the third play on the subsequent drive for the Eagles, Spartans sophomore defensive back Payton Perez picked off a pass for their third takeaway of the game with 53.0 seconds left in the third quarter.

With a 13-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter, Sylmar put the ball in the hands of senior running back Elizeo Reyes. He powered his way through the Eagles defense, which set up a 22-yard touchdown pass to senior wideout Andrew Galvez after Flores recovered a wild snap that went over his head. With the home crowd in a buzz, Sylmar led 20-7 with 7:49 left in the game.

A football player in a white jersey catches a football during a night game, with other players in the background.

Two football players celebrating on the field, one player pats the other's helmet while holding a football, with a scoreboard in the background showing a score.

The struggles for the Arroyo offense continued, as they were once again stopped on fourth down after failing to take advantage of a Sylmar personal foul penalty. With favorable field position at the Eagles 42-yard line with 6:02 left in the game, Sylmar continued to find success in the running game through senior running back Victor Compa. The drive concluded with a 13-yard score from Compa on the ground to put Sylmar ahead 26-7 after the failed two-point try with 3:41 left in the game.

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Arroyo junior cornerback Christian Burgara provided a spark for the Eagles on special teams with a great kickoff return to put his team into Spartans territory at the 33-yard line. Arroyo head coach Milton Knox went back to Stamps at quarterback, and he immediately threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to two-way wideout Llamas to make the score 26-14 with 3:12 left in the game. Sylmar punted the ball on their next possession before Arroyo ran out the remainder of the clock.

A football player in a purple uniform throws a football while two opposing players in white uniforms attempt to defend. The field and goalposts are visible in the background.

Despite earning their first win of the season, Sylmar head coach Evander Williams was not satisfied with his team’s performance in allowing Arroyo back into the game. “I’m more disappointed with this win, because I think we haven’t reached our full potential.”, he said following the win.

Williams stressed to his team the importance of consistency and finding their identity in regards to reaching their goals this season, “I always talk about being the thermostat and not the thermometer.”, he stated. Sylmar will travel to Poly on Friday looking for their second win of the season, while the 0-2 Eagles are seeking their first in a home matchup with San Fernando.

All photos by David Martinez