`REAL' SYLMAR EMERGES SPARTANS QUIET SAN FERNANDO, GAIN EDGE IN LEAGUE SYLMAR 31, S. FERNANDO 19.

Byline: Rich Hammond  Staff Writer

After a skittish first half, the Sylmar High football team returned to its strengths, running the ball and playing solid defense. As a result, the Spartans beat neighborhood rival San Fernando and took control of the Valley Mission League with a 31-19 victory Friday night in front of an overflow crowd at Sylmar High.

Sylmar tailback Danny Burney gained 127 of his game-high 150 yards in the second half as the Spartans improved to 5-2, 3-0 in league.

Burney rushed 16 times in relief of starer Josh Rivera, who injured his leg in the second quarter.

``You saw the real Sylmar team in the second half,'' coach Jeff Engilman said. ``We went into halftime, made some adjustments and asked them, `How bad do you want it?' ''

Sylmar took a 24-13 lead three minutes into the third quarter on a 20- yard run by Burney. On the drive, the Spartans went 60 yards on five plays, all rushes.

San Fernando cut the deficit to five points on a nice fade pass from Ruben Nevarez to Ivan Becerra on the final play of the third quarter.

Sylmar went right back to the ground to start the fourth quarter. Six consecutive running plays moved the ball from the Sylmar 30 to the San Fernando 28. On third-and-9, quarterback Lance DiBene rolled left, avoided a sack and hit receiver Brandon Browner for a touchdown. Browner was open in the end zone but had to extend to make the catch.

On the next series, Browner intercepted Nevarez but carelessly fumbled at midfield, then clinched the game when he sacked Nevarez and stole the ball at the same time inside the Sylmar 10 with two minutes left.

Nevarez completed 18 of 33 attempts for 248 yards. Ramon Perry caught eight passes for 132 yards.

On Sylmar's final score of the first half, which gave the Spartans a 17-13 halftime lead, receiver Brandon Browner appeared to fumble the ball while stretching for the goal line, but after a short conference, he was awarded a touchdown.

Sylmar had a ``do-over'' on the ensuing kickoff, because of an inadvertant whistle, something apparently out of a basketball officials rule book. Nonetheless, when action was allowed to take place, the teams put on a spirited first half.

Perry ran the opening kickoff back 95 yards for a touchdown and the Spartans appeared to tie the score on a 99-yard kickoff return, but the play was whistled back on a clipping call that was at least 25 yards from the action.

Sylmar took the lead by scoring on both of its first-quarter possessions. Job Sanchez capped a nine-play, 74-yard drive with a 24-yard field goal, but the Spartans had faltered inside the San Fernando 10 witha penalty and a fumbled snap.

On the fourth play of their next possession, Freddie Morrow took a lateral and ran 68 yards for the touchdown and a 10-7 Sylmar lead after the first quarter.

San Fernando retook the lead early in the second quarter, after linebacker Will German stripped the ball from Sylmar fullback Josh Rivera. The Tigers took possession at the Sylmar 35 and scored four plays later on a 1-yard line plunge by Randy Lang.

Browner's disputed touchdown capped a 10-play, 89-yard drive and came with 28 seconds remaining in the half.

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2 photos

Photo:

(1) Sylmar's Lance DiBene is knocked off his feet by San Fernando defense early in Friday night's game.

(2) Ramon Perry of San Fernando returns a kickoff 95 yards for a game- opening touchdown at Sylmar.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News