Almost like starting over

There are several questions left to be answered as the Sage Hill School football team prepares for its season opener Friday.

That’s what happens when a new coach steps in, taking over a team in June and trying to quickly figure out how to make up for 17 players who graduated from last year’s squad.

The most glaring question needed to be answered is at quarterback, where two players are battling it out to be the starter in Coach Derek McIntyre’s spread offense. Sophomores Randall Mycorn and Colton Gyulay are also trying to fill the shoes of star quarterback Jamie McGee, who graduated in June after setting several Lightning passing records.

Still, after Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage, McIntyre called it a very productive day and tried to find more positives by pointing to next year. The Lightning, who went 8-3 last year, have two starters returning on both sides of the ball this season.

“We are going to have nine starters back next year on each side of the ball,” McIntyre said.

The first-year coach is hoping the players produce quickly as Sage Hill opens against Fairmont Prep at Valley Christian in Cerritos Friday night at 7.

Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of the Lightning:

Quarterback: Mycorn, a 5-foot-10, 150-pound transfer from Mater Dei, and Gyulay, a 5-7, 130-pound sophomore, will most likely take their turn receiving snaps Friday. McIntyre has yet to decide on the starter, but said both players, “look good.”

“The’ve done a real nice job of grasping the offense,” McIntyre said.

Mycorn did not transfer into Sage Hill until the beginning of August, but he still has a shot to direct the offense after what takes place against Fairmont Prep Friday.

“I think they both have a chance to be pretty good quarterbacks,” McIntyre said. “I feel confident that we’re going to have solid players at that position. We won’t put quite the same emphasis on that position as last year. But, they have good talent around them and that helps them.”

Gyulay brings a different dimension to the position because he is a threat to run the ball, McIntyre said. Mycorn, on the other hand, is a bit further advanced at throwing the ball than Gyulay, the first-year coach said.

“I want to give both of them a fair shot to be the starter,” McIntyre said.

Running backs: Jelani Reynolds, a 5-10, 185-pound senior, is slated to be the starter and appears to be exactly what McIntyre is looking for in his program. The Sage Hill coach wants his team to be physical. Reynolds attained some aggressiveness while playing rugby in London, where he is transferring in from.

The running back did not play much Saturday becuase of an injured knee, but he should be ready to go against Fairmon Prep, McIntyre said.

Sophomore Taylor Ross, 5-9, 165 pounds, performed well Saturday and is set to log a substantial amount of carries, as McIntyre does not plan to solely rely on Reynolds.

Receivers: Junior Connor Gaughn, 6-1, 180 pounds, has transitioned smoothly from playing as a tight end last year. He’s been impressing McIntyre throughout the summer.

Craig Jackson, a 6-foot, 180-pound senior, will provide depth here, as he is a jack of all trades, capable of playing tight end and fullback when the offense sometimes shifts. Jackson started at tight end at times last year.

Junior Andy Multari, 6-2, 160-pounds, also has the tools to be a standout option for the quarterback, McIntyre said.

“It looks pretty good,” the coach said of the situtation at receiver. “I think we are in good shape.”

Offensive line: McIntyre said the strength of the team is found here. That’s much in part because junior tackle Adam Donchess (6-0, 230 pounds) and junior center Brendan Killaly (6-1, 215 pounds) are returning starters who both earned second-team All-Academy League honors last year.

Senior guard Daniel Kernan (5-11, 215 pounds) is also a returner for Sage Hill, yet he did not play last year. McIntyre said he started for the Lightning as a freshman and sophomore, but did not attend Sage Hill last year.

“They are the key to the line,” McIntyre said. “We have a little bit of depth there. We go six or seven deep. It’s not too bad. That’s why I feel comfortable that we can accomplish some things.”

Defensive line: Jackson, who earned second-team all-league honors as a linebacker last season, will start at defensive end in the Lightning’s 4-3 allignment.

Reynolds will play at the other end. Donchess and Kernan are expected to be the tackles.

“We have some good size up the middle and some athletes on the edges,” McIntyre described.

Linebackers: Killaly will man the middle for the Lightning. Charlie Schumacher, a 5-8, 170-pound junior, will contribute as a linebacker as well, while Dusty Orrantia, a 6-foot, 175-pound junior, will also play as an outside ’backer.

“We have linebackers that move pretty well,” McIntyre said. “Defensively, I feel we should be able to play pretty well sideline to sideline.”

Secondary: McIntyre believes this group will benefit from the Lightning’s strong front.

Multari has locked up a starting spot as a cornerback, but the other corner is still being decided between Ross, Guylay and senior Max Ellison, who brings a special brand of toughness, McIntyre said.

Ellison (5-9, 155 pounds) is playing for the football team for the first time this year, but he has garnered competitiveness and the knack to be physical from his time as a lacrosse player.

Justin Barbour, one of six seniors for Sage Hill, wil play at strong safety. The 5-11, 155-pound defensive back is also one of 16 returning lettermen for the Lightning.

Taylor Petty, at 6-foot, 160 pounds, could be Sage Hill’s lone freshman starter, contributing as a free safety. McIntyre said the freshman, who also plays basketball, is a good fit there.

Special teams: Ross will handle the kickoffs and the field goals. The sophomore has a strong leg and is expected to be very effective, McIntyre said.

Either Barbour or Schumacher will punt for the Lightning.

STEVE VIRGEN may be reached at (714) 966-4616 or by e-mail at [email protected].