Jeff Engilman vs. Troy Starr

The similarities of high school football coaches Jeff Engilman of Sylmar and Troy Starr of Taft are many. Both coaches have been accused of recruiting violations and both are among the region’s winningest coaches in the past six seasons. Starr has won 81% (60-13-1) of his games since arriving at Taft in 1992. Engilman has won 88% (67-8-1) since 1992, 81% (105-22-2) since he took over at Sylmar in 1987. Under the tutelage of its current coach, neither team has lost to another team from the region in the City Section 4-A Division playoffs.

Jeff Engilman, 11th year at Sylmar

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Year Rec. Playoff Finish 1997 11-1 Defeated Franklin, 7-0, in 4-A quarterfinal 1996 8-3 Lost to Narbonne, 28-13, in 4-A first round 1995 11-1 Lost to Narbonne, 22-21, in 4-A quarterfinal 1994 14-0 4-A champions, defeated Crenshaw, 38-6 1993 10-2-1 Lost to Carson, 22-21, in 4-A semifinal 1992 13-1 4-A champions, defeated Carson, 17-0 Total 67-8-1 Two 4-A championships

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Troy Starr, 6th year at Taft

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Year Rec. Playoff Finish 1997 11-0 Defeated Palisades, 28-7, in 4-A quarterfinal 1996 13-1 4-A finalist, lost to San Pedro, 22-20 1995 7-3-1 Lost to Narbonne, 48-21, in 4-A first round 1994 10-2 Lost to Dorsey, 26-20, in 4-A quarterfinal 1993 10-2 Lost to Dorsey, 33-7, in 4-A quarterfinal 1992 9-5 3-A finalist, lost to San Pedro, 24-7 Total 60-13-1 4-A finalist once, 3-A finalist once

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