The Palisades High varsity football team kicks off its season tomorrow night in unfamiliar territory and against an unfamiliar opponent. The Dolphins travel north to Sylmar for a game against a school they have not played since 1970. Both teams start the season under new leadership. Athletic director Leo Castro will be Palisades’ fourth head coach in the past five years. He replaces Jason Blatt, who compiled a 9-13 record over two seasons. For the Spartans, London Woodfin takes over for longtime coach Jeff Engilman, who built the program into a perennial City Section power. ‘Even with a new quarterback and a new coach, we expect Sylmar to be just as good as it’s always been,’ Castro said. ‘They are physical, they have good athletes and it’ll be a real test for us. It’s going to be a tough game for sure.’ Pali was 4-7 last season, finished fourth in the Western League and lost to El Camino Real in the first round of the Invitational playoffs. The Spartans are trying to reload from a 9-3-1 season in which they won the Valley Mission League title and advanced to the semifinals of the City championship playoffs before losing to top-seeded Venice. Friday’s game will feature two of the top wide receivers in the City Section: C.J. Gable of Sylmar and Pali’s Brandon Bryant. Daniel Vasquez and John Austin will share the quarterback duties for Sylmar while senior Dylan Cohen returns for his second season as the starting quarterback and kicker for Palisades. The teams shared two common opponents last year, each beating Narbonne and Van Nuys. The frosh/soph game begins at 4 p.m. and the varsity game will follow at 7 p.m. Friday at Sylmar High. Directions to Sylmar High: Take the 405 Freeway North for 16 miles, then merge onto I-5 North. Merge onto the 210 Freeway (towards Pasadena), exit at Polk Street. Turn right onto Polk Street and drive half a mile before turning left onto Bordon Avenue. The school is at 13050 Borden Avenue.
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