Arleta Stuns North Hollywood With late Rally for 27-24 Victory

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Arshavir Steven Saryan

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The Arleta Mustangs overcame a late 8-point deficit with two touchowns in 52 seconds to defeat the North Hollywood Huskies 27-24 in a critical East Valley League matchup. Vincent Alvarez, filling in for the injured Jesse Rios, had four total touchdowns, including a rushing touchdown for the Mustangs with 2:14 left in the game. Following a successful onside kick, Alvarez found Alexander Gonzalez for a 28-yard touchdown pass to give Arleta a 27-22.

The Mustangs opened the scoring 50 seconds into the second quarter when Alvarez hit Gonzalez on a corner route at the 5-yard line. Gonzalez hauled in the pass and was able to muscle his way into the end zone and a 7-0 Arleta lead following the extra point. 

A football player in a black uniform catches a football while being pursued by a defender in a white uniform on a grassy field under lights.
A football player in a black jersey attempts to catch a football while a defender in a blue and white jersey closely guards him during a night game.

North Hollywood answered back with a steady drive down the field, culminating in a 4-yard touchdown run from Reis Dorne. Quarterback Logan Grant ran in the 2-point conversion to give the Huskies an 8-7 lead.

Arleta returned to its running game on the next possession, leaning on sophomores Jayden Canseco, Samuel Mendez-Perez and junior Fabian Moran. Alvarez capped off the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run to recapture the lead. The Mustangs held a 14-8 lead at halftime.

The Huskies, who had their best second half of the season, according to head coach Ryan Ledford, scored midway through the third quarter. This time it was a 9-yard run by Brandon Del Toro and North Hollywood was back on top at 15-14.

Two football players in white uniforms celebrating on the field, while opposing players in black uniforms are positioned nearby.

The Huskies defense came up big on the ensuing drive. On third-and-8, junior Ezekiel Zamudio intercepted an Alvarez pass attempt and North Hollywood capitalized immediately. Thirty seconds after the turnover, junior Hayden Crawford punched the ball in from 6 yards out and the Huskies held a 22-14 lead with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter.

The teams traded possession until late in the fourth quarter when Arleta finally was able to break through with bruising runs. Alvarez capped off a scoring drive with just 2:14 left in the game. The Mustangs went for a 2-point conversion to tie the game, but a fumbled snap kept the score at 22-20 in favor of North Hollywood.

A youth football game in action, with players in white and blue uniforms facing off against players in black helmets and jerseys. The scene captures a tackle, with a player in white attempting to pass the ball while others collide around them.

Arleta lined up for an onside kick and successfully recovered the attempt, a moment Ledford says he should have slowed down with a timeout to settle his team into place. This was when Alvarez and Gonzalez connected for their second touchdown of the night, a 28-yard pass placed perfectly over the shoulder as Gonzalez crossed over the goal line.

Two football players in white uniforms chase a player in black during a night game.
A high school football player in black catches the ball while being pursued by two defenders in white, one wearing number 21. The scene takes place on a grassy field with portable restrooms in the background.

Down 27-22 with 1:22 left, Grant looked to lead the Huskies on a late game-winning drive. He had one-on-one coverage downfield, but his pass intended for Reis was intercepted near the goal line by sophomore Allen Martinez.

A football player in a white uniform is tackling an opponent in a dark uniform during a night game on a grassy field.

Arleta proceeded to run down the clock. Alvarez intentionally took a safety that left just three seconds on the clock, as opposed to the Mustnags punting the ball away, which would have potentially given North Hollywood more time to try to win the game. This essentially sealed the win for the Mustangs, 27-24.

Both teams return to action Friday night. Arleta travels to face Monroe, while North Hollywood hosts Poly in the Valley Sports Telegram Game of the Week.

All photos by VST Senior Photographer Benjamin Becher

A young football player in black uniform preparing to throw a football during a night game.
A football player in a white and blue jersey running with the ball during a game.
A high school football player in a white uniform tackles an opposing player in black during a game under stadium lights.
A football player in a black uniform with the number 21 evades a tackle from an opponent wearing a blue jersey during a game, with spectators and teammates in the background.
A high school football player wearing a white jersey with blue accents drops back to pass the ball during a game, surrounded by cheerleaders and spectators in the stands.
A high school football player in a white jersey with blue stripes, holding the ball, is running away from a defender in a black jersey. Other players in the background are engaged in the game, with spectators in the stands.
A youth football player in a black jersey with 'Mustangs' written on it runs with the ball while an opposing player in a white and blue jersey attempts to tackle him. Two teammates stand nearby, and a crowd watches in the background.
Two youth football players engaging in a tackle on the field, with one player in black and another in white and blue, as the player in white clutches the football.
A young football player in black uniform receives the ball while being tackled by an opponent in blue and white uniform during a game.
A high school football game scene featuring a player in a white jersey with the number 27, preparing to kick a football held by another player wearing a white jersey with the number 9.
A high school football game featuring players in white uniforms with blue accents, running on a grass field. One player carries the ball while another teammate runs alongside for support.
A high school football game in action with players from the Huskies team in white and blue uniforms playing against players from the Mustangs team in black uniforms. One player from the Huskies is running with the ball while another player from the Mustangs attempts to tackle him.
A high school football player wearing a white and blue uniform with 'Huskies' on the chest dodges two opponents in black jerseys during a game.
A high school football game in progress, featuring players in black and white uniforms. One player in black is being tackled by two opponents while another teammate stands ready nearby.
A football player in a black jersey (number 17) catches a ball during a night game, with opposing players in white jerseys nearby.
A football player in a black jersey leaping to catch a football under night lights, while another player in a white jersey runs towards him.

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