Neal, Contreras Help Sylmar Race to Title

Running backs Corey Neal and David Contreras combined to rush for 304 yards and four touchdowns--in the first half--to pace Sylmar High to a 56-7 victory Friday night over Van Nuys in a game that decided the Valley Pac-8 championship at Van Nuys.

Neal finished with eight carries for 170 yards and two touchdowns, averaging more than 21 yards per carry. Contreras carried 13 times for 174 yards and two touchdowns. Six other Spartan rushers combined for 147 yards and three touchdowns.

Sylmar (7-2-1, 7-0 in conference play) intercepted three consecutive Van Nuys passes in the second quarter and turned them into 22 points in a span of 1 minute 35 seconds.

Sylmar’s defense limited Van Nuys to 107 yards, including only 18 in the second half. Four different Spartan defenders intercepted passes.

Cedric Anderson’s interception, Sylmar’s first of the game, led directly to Contreras’ second touchdown, a 29-yard run in the second quarter.

Jermaine Lucious of Van Nuys (7-3, 5-2) caught three passes for 83 yards, including an eight-yard touchdown reception from Bobby Hernandez.

Sylmar quarterback Noah Albiston completed four of nine passes for 83 yards, including a 74-yard pass to Clifford Johnson for a touchdown.