ORANGE — The Villa Park football team took the field for its season-opening game against Carson on Saturday with a lineup that included 17 starters who had never started a varsity game.

Yes, Villa Park has some kinks to work out going forward, but the young Spartans gained maturity, especially in the second half, and came away with a 26-22 victory over the Colts at El Modena High School.

The Spartans (1-0), who were No. 25 in the county in the preseason rankings, came from behind twice in the second half, including a 68-yard scoring drive that was capped by Vinny La Gatta’s 1-yard touchdown on a quarterback sneak with 42 seconds left that proved to be the game winner.

“He’s been in our program four years and loves Villa Park,” Spartans coach Dusan Ancich said. “This is his first time st

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