HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEWS : Engilman Looks Ahead to Fresh Start at Sylmar

No coach in the newly formed East Valley League is awaiting this season with greater expectations than Sylmar’s Jeff Engilman.

Hired as the Spartans’ head coach only weeks before last season began, Engilman characterizes 1988 as his first season at Sylmar.

“Last year was ridiculous,” he said. “We were so far behind other teams because I came in basically a week before school started.”

The Spartans (4-4-1) paid for that lack of preparation, losing a couple of games they should have won because of fundamental mistakes.

“We took our lumps last year,” Engilman said. “But this year, we’re ready to make up for that. We’ve got an experienced but hungry team. These kids really want to win.”

With 14 starters (six on offense, eight on defense) returning--including junior Jerome Casey--the Spartans are favored to win the league title.

At 6 feet, 185 pounds with legitimate 10.9-second 100-meter speed, Casey is bigger, stronger and faster than last year when he rushed for 1,179 yards in 138 carries (an 8.5 average) and scored 8 touchdowns.

As the workhorse of the Sylmar offense, Casey will get the ball 20 to 25 times a game, either running or receiving, Engilman said.

When Casey runs, it will be behind a formidable and experienced offensive line composed of tackles Hector Contreras (6-2 1/2, 235) and Tim Marceau (6-3 1/2, 245), guards David Rice (6-0, 210) and Martin Llerenas (6-2, 220), center Sergio Soto (5-11, 225) and tight end London Woodfin (6-3, 220).

All six players can bench press more than 300 pounds, according to Engilman, and possess unusual quickness for their size. But Engilman insists that the Spartans will pass more than last year when they attempted just 61 passes.

“We’ve got to open up the game with the pass,” Engilman said. “I don’t want to see teams stacking eight or nine guys on the line waiting for Jerome. I’m not sure how successful we’ll be, but we’re definitely going to pass the ball more than last year.”

The Spartans’ defense should again be strong--it allowed only 184 yards a game last season--led by Casey, an all-league defensive back, and a linebacking quartet of Rice, Llerenas, Donald Ward and James McGee.

Like Sylmar, North Hollywood (6-3) has an experienced offensive line, but the Huskies need a replacement for Chip Grant, who rushed for 1,900 yards and 28 touchdowns in 1987. Husky Coach Fred Grimes is not concerned, however.

“Chip did a great job for us last year,” he said. “But a lot of the credit should go to our offensive line. They opened up some huge holes for him to run through last year.”

Returning from last year are tackles Paul Shepodd (6-3, 250) and Fernando Godoy (5-11, 245), guard Randy Costales (5-10, 225) and center Gil Pulido (5-11, 220), who should make life easier for speedy tailbacks Mike Goldsmith (5-8, 155) and Tim Sutton (5-10, 170).

Grant Coach Bill Foster expects the Lancers (4-5) to improve upon some pathetic offensive numbers--7.8 points, 122.7 yards a game--from a year ago.

“We should put more points on the board this year,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of inexperienced kids but more raw talent than last year’s team.”

Quarterback Matt Westmore (5-8, 165), a converted receiver, and tailback Shawn Booker (5-11, 165), who gained more than 900 yards at the B level in 1987, should provide firepower.

The Grant defense will be fortified by tackle Anthony Milton (6-0, 225), nose guard Seung Rho (6-2, 190), linebacker Edwin Manning (5-8, 175) and cornerback Marlo Lewis (5-11, 165).

Poly Coach Kevin Kennedy said that the Parrots have improved their defense from a year ago, but the question is by how much?

If the improvement is minimal, Poly (2-7), which gave up 21.8 points and 310 yards a game in 1987, could be in for another losing season.

Harold Whiteside (6-2, 185), a catcher on the Parrots’ East Valley League champion baseball team, will start at tight end and linebacker. Jeremy Buendia (6-0, 240), an offensive guard-defensive tackle last year, will key Poly’s defense at nose guard. Locke High transfer Joseph Allen (5-8, 165) should help the Parrots at inside linebacker.

EAST VALLEY LEAGUE Predicted Finish

1. Sylmar (8-1)

2. North Hollywood (4-5)

3. Grant (3-6)

4. Poly (2-8)

Predicted record in parentheses.