Marquez Has Hat Trick, Sylmar Wins Easily, 29-0

SYLMAR â€”  Monroe High Coach Fred Cuccia, whose under-manned team lost a Valley Pac-8 Conference opener to Sylmar, 29-0, boldly made two predictions before the game.

Cuccia’s first prognostication--that his Vikings would not get a first down--was wrong. They had two.

But his second prediction--that Sylmar would win the City Section 4-A Division title--could turn out to be a winner.

Spartan quarterback Greg Marquez threw three first-half touchdown passes and the Sylmar defense earned its second consecutive shutout. Marquez, who completed six of eight passes for 86 yards, threw scoring passes of 19, 21 and 14 yards as Sylmar coasted to a 21-0 halftime lead.

The Spartans (4-0 overall, 1-0 in the conference), despite losing tailback Durell Price in the second quarter with a strained left knee, were equally adept on the ground, finishing with 252 yards in 33 carries.

“Our success down the road depends on us being more balanced and not letting teams key on certain guys,� Sylmar Coach Jeff Engilman said.

Price, who finished with 65 yards in eight carries and is expected to play next week against Canoga Park, was kept out of the second half because of convenience, not necessity. He was replaced by Gerrod Taylor (nine carries, 75 yards) and Tyrone Morgan (five carries, 44 yards, one touchdown).