VALLEY / VENTURA COUNTY SPORTS : HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

That’s the refrain from several City coaches who are embracing the passing game after watching Cassel, Winn and Hance each pass for more than 2,000 yards last season while leading their teams to championships.

Kennedy, long a run-oriented team under Coach Bob Francola, is making the most dramatic change, going to four wide receivers and a roll-out passing attack.

Senior Ruben Zaragosa, who passed for 1,402 yards last season, and talented receivers Sanders Trent, James Norris, Daron Taylor and Paul Holifield give the Golden Cougars the necessary personnel.

But the change might be more than a one-year whim because of offensive coaches Fred Grimes and Billy Parra. Parra played under passing guru Jim Fenwick at Valley College after graduating from Kennedy in 1989, and Grimes picked the brains of Hurley and offensive coordinator Dean Herrington of Hart during the off-season.

Francola’s biggest challenge will be to stay calm when a pass is intercepted or Zaragosa throws three quick incomplete passes.

“That was my Achilles’ heel when we made a half-hearted attempt at the run-and-shoot about 10 years ago,” Francola said. “Passing goes against my grain. I freaked out because it wasn’t ball-control enough.

“Fred and Bill convinced me that for us to turn the corner, I have to get used to throwing the ball.”

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Sylmar’s nonleague schedule, which begins with Notre Dame, Antelope Valley and Hart, is like running the gauntlet.

It’s especially tough because Sylmar has only 36 players.

“It’s the biggest dilemma I have,” Coach Jeff Engilman said. “We had three Division I kids [last season], so we are still developing players. Why aren’t kids coming to Sylmar?”

Engilman wonders whether participation is on a down cycle all over. But nearby Granada Hills and Kennedy each have about 70 players.

“Maybe I’m chasing them away,” Engilman said. “Maybe the program is chasing them away. I’m not going to cry.”

Winning still comes with donning a Spartan uniform. Sylmar has won 67 consecutive league games dating to 1989.