By Luke Holthouse

Thirty-six unanswered points in the first half carried the varsity football team to a 43-14 victory over Sylmar Friday. Receiver and defensive back Chris Sebastian ’13 caught two touchdown passes from quarterback Chad Kanoff ’13 as well as two pass attempts from Sylmar quarterback Jamere Austin.

“A win’s a win,” Head Coach Scot Ruggles said. “Obviously, I’m happy for the kids. Always good to get a victory and enjoy the weekend.”

Kanoff also connected with receiver Clinton Hooks ’13 and running back Garret Robinson ’15 for touchdowns and scored a rushing touchdown of his own in the first half. The Wolverines converted a two-point conversion after Kanoff’s rushing touchdown, and the Wolverines brought a 36-0 lead into the half.

Sylmar’s offense, largely based on Austin’s athletic ability, was shut down by the consistent rushing attack of the Wolverine defensive line for the first three quarters, according to defensive lineman Chase Klein ’13. 

“We’re a good defense,” Klein said. “We had a good scouting report and we did our job. [Austin] got out of the pocket maybe once.” 

Sylmar finally connected for its first touchdown of the game with 10:59 left in the fourth quarter. After Sylmar added another touchdown with just under six minutes to play in the game to make it 36-14, the Wolverines reinserted a number of their starters into the game. Kanoff, who was replaced by backup Albert Choi ’15 for most of the second half, hit Correy King ’13 for his fifth throwing touchdown of the night. Ruggles attributed the second half decline both to fatigue and putting in several backups late in the game to rest starters. 

Kanoff finished with six total touchdowns, but also threw his first interception of the season in the second quarter.

The Wolverines improved to 3-1 overall. They will take on El Camino Real in their final non-league game of the season next Friday.

The game was delayed for half an hour because of power outages due to the brush fires near Coldwater Canyon.