Canyon Lake coach leads Titans to playoffs

It’s been nine years since the Temescal Canyon High School (TCHS) Titans Varsity football team won the Mayor’s Trophy and four years since they made the CIF playoffs. That all changed on November 4 when the Titans beat the Lake Elsinore High School Tigers 45-28, earning the team the Mayor’s Trophy and a spot in the CIF-SS Division 8 playoffs.

Titans varsity football coach Phil Cohen holds the Mayor’s Trophy.

Titans varsity football coach Phil Cohen holds the Mayor’s Trophy.

Coach Phil Cohen says he couldn’t be more proud of his team. For now, the proud coach has the trophy sitting in his classroom but he says he’ll put it on display in the school’s office once it’s engraved.

Phil says the team was underestimated because of the number of young players. “We have so many sophomores on the team that people under estimated us. Going to the playoffs is really a testament to what you can do when you work hard and stick together,” he says.

On Thursday, November 8, the Titans advanced to the second round of the playoffs when they beat Saddleback Valley Christian Warriors 42-31 at Laguna Hills High. Saddleback ended its season at 7-4.

In the game against Saddleback, Canyon Laker Brandon Clemons rushed for over 200 yards and Chris Frey, also a Canyon Lake resident, lead the team in tackles and sacks. With a minute and a half remaining in the game, Canyon Laker Jacob Stepanek sealed the win with a touchdown.

The Titan’s next playoff game is Friday, November 18, when they host the Don Lugo High School Conquistador football team at home at 28755 El Toro Rd., Lake Elsinore. Don Lugo High School football team sailed to the second round of the playoffs last Friday night when they beat Moreno Valley High School 42-14.

Tickets for this Friday’s game against Don Lugo are $10. The gates open at 6 p.m.; game starts at 7 p.m. “Come out in your Titan blue and cheer us on,” says Coach Phil. If the Titans win on Friday, they advance to the semi-finals and play again on November 25. If they win on November 25, the team advances to the finals.

Phil has been coaching for 27 years. He’s spent 21 of those years coaching at TCHS. He led an undefeated Titan JV team in 2000 and won four league titles as a freshman head coach.

Phil left TCHS for three years to accept a position as Lakeside’s inaugural head coach from 2005 to 2007. He returned to TCHS in 2008 to coach his son Josh. Twenty-one-year-old Josh is now playing football at Post University in Connecticut.

Many of the assistant coaches on Phil’s staff played for him when they were in high school, which is something he is very proud of. “It reinforces that Titan family culture. It’s what makes coaching and teaching at Temescal Canyon so rewarding. We are a part of something for our lifetime,” he says.

In addition to coaching football, Phil teaches Biology and AVID at TCHS, and has been active coaching the school’s varsity baseball as a head coach at all three levels. Phil is a former Canyon Lake Little League coach. He coached from 2008-2012, leading his team to district three times and finals twice.

Phil’s assistant coaches, Corky Wyrick and Darrel Clemons, also are Canyon Lake residents. Corky has been coaching 16 years. He was a part of Phil’s coaching staff at Lakeside High School. He joined the coaching staff at TCHS in 2013. Corky’s sons, Erik and Scott, are both former All League Titans.

Darrel has been on the TCHS coaching staff for nine years. The former San Pedro High School football player brings to the Titans 26 years of coaching experience. He coached at numerous high schools, including three years at a high school in the Philippines. He also spent one year coaching the Orange County Sheriff’s Department football team.

Coach Phil’s philosophy is: Winning is a result from a commitment to a common goal, combined with the sacrifice, preparation and hard work. The result is the growth of character of the individual within the team concept. Being part of the team builds character and a sound foundation to succeed in life.




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