THE HIGH SCHOOLS / JASON H. REID : They Stopped the Press but Not Sylmar

Usually easygoing Van Nuys football Coach George Engbrecht turned imperious dictator in the days leading to the Wolves’ East Valley League showdown with powerful Sylmar on Friday night. The teams had unblemished league records entering the game.

Engbrecht banned reporters and photographers from attending Van Nuys practices and forbade his charges from conducting interviews. The weeklong media ban was a stark departure from the approach that has characterized Engbrecht’s two-year tenure.

He formerly embraced media coverage like a fat man eyeing a buffet: the more the better. Engbrecht said the change was needed because the Wolves, in part, were distracted by a reporter who attended many practices while working on a story.

Engbrecht was angered by the Wolves’ lackluster performance in a 36-10 league win over Poly the previous week. His ire was further raised because he felt several Wolves had developed swelled heads because of the media attention that often accompanies winning.

“I’m not blaming the press, but that was one of the factors that led to a crummy week of practice and three crummy quarters against Poly,” Engbrecht said. “By not letting the kids talk with reporters before the Sylmar game, we figured that was one factor we could control that would definitely help.”

The result: Van Nuys was trampled by Sylmar, 48-14.

Engbrecht maintains the temporary media ban was the right call.

“I thought it was the only way we could stay focused,” Engbrecht said. “But I guess it didn’t seem to help too much.”

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Trivia time: Which area quarterback recently moved into ninth place on the all-time state list for passing touchdowns? Hint: His team is “on the prowl.”

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Bombs away: For the second time in four games, Simi Valley earned a Marmonte League victory in the waning moments on a trick play that produced an electrifying touchdown.

Lots of teams live by the pass--the Pioneers use it for life support.

The Pioneers’ first Fantastic Finish came Oct. 8 in a 17-10 win over Royal. Simi Valley quarterback Tim Bennett executed the back end of a double pass for a 46-yard touchdown to receiver/defensive back Nathan Simmons.

The latest trick play produced a 90-yard touchdown pass and a 13-7 league win over visiting Agoura on Friday. With the score tied, 7-7, Bennett threw a lateral to receiver J.J. Washington.

Washington heaved a pass toward Simmons, who tipped the ball and caught it at midfield following a tip by a Charger defender. Simmons received a key block from receiver Ken Huggins and raced untouched for the touchdown as time expired. “Everybody just went crazy,” Simmons said. “I don’t know how we keep getting so lucky. It’s pretty incredible.”

Simmons said Simi Valley hadn’t practiced the play it used against Agoura, and that Pioneer Coach Roger McCamy designed it in the huddle only moments before it was executed.

“We’ve never practiced that one,” Simmons said. “Coach just turned to J.J. and said, ‘You’ve thrown before in practice, give it your best shot.’ He was probably the only person more scared than I was.”

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Heating up: Hart quarterback Mike Kocicka has found his groove after a slow and sometimes frustrating start.

Kocicka scorched Burroughs for 330 yards and five touchdown passes in a 41-0 Foothill League rout despite playing only a little more than two quarters. The Indians’ signal-caller has 1,917 yards passing and 20 touchdowns with six interceptions.

“It was tough at times because everything was a little fuzzy to me in the first few games,” Kocicka said. “But now my reads (of the defense) seem to be a lot easier and the line is doing a great job of blocking.”

Said Hart receiver Soren Halladay: “You can just see he’s a lot more comfortable back there.”

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Trivia answer: Newbury Park quarterback Keith Smith, who has 71 touchdown passes in his career. He needs three more to overtake Jim Noriega, who played at Atherton Menlo (1989-90), for eighth place.