Lightning has small victory, but loses game

Steve Virgen

In the fourth quarter, the score -- Calvary Chapel High of Downey 36,

Sage Hill 0 -- was something for the Grizzlies to be proud of. But

for Sage Hill, the scoreboard hardly mattered with about three

minutes remaining and the Lightning facing fourth-and-one Friday

night at Village Christian High.

Just as Sage Hill Coach Tom Monarch said after his team lost,

36-0, it’s the small steps toward achieving flawless execution that

can make a huge difference for a program that starts five freshmen.

One of those freshmen, quarterback Braden Ross, led Sage Hill’s

offense to the line of scrimmage on that fourth-down play.

The rest of the Lightning players remained disciplined while Ross’

hard count drew two Calvary Chapel defenders offsides. First down,

Sage Hill.

“We did a great job on that play,� Ross said. “For as young as we

are, I think we were fine. We knew [Calvary Chapel] was a really good

team, so this loss doesn’t hurt as much.�

Calvary Chapel (1-1) dominated the first half, building a 30-0

lead, as Grizzlies quarterback, Ryan Valenzuela, threw 217 yards and

three touchdowns.

“When you play a team that is bigger, stronger and more

experienced than you, that is what happens,� Monarch said. “This a

great game for [the Lightning] to have. They got beat up and this

week is when they get back up and come back. I think we’ll see a

better product next week.�

Before the game, Monarch said he has been patient with his team

because of its youth, which was shown on the play after Ross drew the

Grizzlies offsides when Sage Hill fumbled and Calvary Chapel

recovered. However, that was one of the few mistakes the Lightning

made throughout the game. They committed only four penalties, and the

fumble was one of just two turnovers.

Sage Hill’s other turnover came from an interception, which

Calvary Chapel later converted into eight points for a 22-0 lead with

6:37 left before halftime. The Lightning (0-2) could not get anything

going on offense, as their longest gain went for eight yards by

senior Ray Lim, who led Sage Hill with 42 yards on 14 carries.

“Calvary Chapel came out strong,� Monarch said. “They just had a

lot more team speed than us. But our effort was there in every

quarter.�

The Grizzlies scored just one touchdown in the second half and

that came in the fourth quarter with a little over nine minutes left.

But Sage Hill’s offense could not avoid the shutout.

Last week, the Lightning lost to Midway Baptist, 48-15. Sage Hill

gained 226 rushing yards. Monarch expects for his team to get back on

track next week.

The Lightning will play visitors for the third straight game next

week when they travel to Calipatria, for their nonleague contest

Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.

Calipatria is about a four-hour bus ride and it is more than 130

miles east of San Diego. Sage Hill will have its home opener Oct. 3

at 3:30 p.m., when Fairmont comes to the small private school in

Newport Coast.