Threats Abound for Win Streaks of Sylmar, Hart

Can anyone stop the streaking?

With several football leagues beginning play on Friday, two notable winning streaks stand out: Sylmar High has won 67 consecutive league games and Hart has won 38.

Sylmar (3-2), which terrorized the Valley Pac-8 Conference throughout the 1990s, plays Monroe on Friday in a Valley Mission League opener, one of three newly aligned leagues in the City Section that consist almost entirely of teams from the region.

The Valley Pac-8 Conference is defunct, which means the Spartans will have a tougher time keeping their victorious string intact.

Canoga Park, Grant, Poly and North Hollywood have been replaced by the likes of San Fernando (5-0) and Kennedy (3-2). Not to mention that Monroe and Reseda, holdovers from the Valley Pac-8 Conference, are a combined 10-0.

“It might give [Sylmar] something to think about a little bit,” Kennedy Coach Bob Francola said. “They sure were the class of that league for so many years. It’s a little different when week to week you’ve got to stand up and play tough football. I would imagine it’s a little different format for Sylmar.”

Sylmar’s last league loss was in 1989 to Reseda, 20-6, when Joey “Little Train” Tushnet rushed for 200 yards in 27 carries for the Regents. A victory over Monroe on Friday would tie the state record of 68 consecutive league victories held by Salinas Palma.

“A lot of people say it was a weaker league, but, hey, we took two City 4-A championships while playing in that league,” Sylmar Coach Jeff Engilman said.

As for sustaining the streak, Engilman cited a litany of injuries, including a banged-up offensive line.

“We’ve got to get by Monroe right now and go from there,” Engilman said. “And hopefully get healthy.”

Hart (5-0) has not lost a Foothill League game since a 42-35 setback against Montebello Schurr in 1990.

The strongest threats to the Indians’ streak are Saugus (4-1), which plays Hart on Friday, and Valencia (4-1), which has a chance to beat anyone as long as Manuel White is carrying the ball.

“We’re known for our offense, but the key is how we play defense,” said Hart Coach Mike Herrington, well aware that Saugus throws and Valencia runs with precision. “We’ve been doing pretty well in that area lately.”

Hart has allowed an average of 12.4 points per game and beat Division I Loyola, 26-7, last week.

“They have a great tradition, and apparently it’s being carried on,” Valencia Coach Brian Stiman said. “They’re going to be tough to beat, as Loyola just found out. But if you don’t stand toe-to-toe with them, they’re going to get No. 39, No. 40. . .”

Two more winning streaks exist in the region, to a smaller degree: Paraclete has won 14 consecutive league games and St. Bonaventure is on an 11-0-1 league streak dating to 1996.

Paraclete (2-3) is seeking its fourth consecutive unbeaten season in league play. The Spirits won the High Desert League title in 1996 and ’97 before moving to the Alpha League, which they won with ease last season en route to winning the Division XII championship.

“I don’t think it’s been long enough for kids to even know about it or think about it,” Paraclete Coach Steve Hagerty said. “And the switch of league kind of creates a schism. I think if it happens for a while longer, it may become more visible.”

Potential Paraclete streak-busters include Kilpatrick (3-2), with standout running back Jermaine Marshall, and L.A. Baptist (3-2), which won three consecutive Alpha League titles until Paraclete arrived.

St. Bonaventure (5-0) tied Carpinteria in 1996, but has otherwise had its way with the Tri-Valley League, winning the last three titles. With sophomore running back Lorenzo Booker, the Seraphs are a strong favorite again.