Let there be light

Rick Devereux

After 14 home football games played in the afternoon, Sage Hill

School will finally play under the Friday night lights in front of a

home crowd.

The school rented portable light structures that will be placed on

the 20-yard lines for the homecoming game against Silver Valley

(2-3). Usually teams try to schedule easier opponents for homecoming

in order to secure a win, but the Trojans may be the toughest

opponent Sage Hill (4-1) has played this year.

“We are overmatched size- and speed-wise,” Coach Tom Monarch said.

“This is a real gut check for us. They’re probably the biggest team

in terms of size we will play this year.”

Monarch said the Trojan offensive line averages close to 250

pounds. The Sage Hill defensive line averages less than 199 pounds.

At 5-foot-10, 230 pounds, tackle Brandon David is the biggest

defensive starter for the Lightning.

“I’m concerned that we might try to play them physical,” Monarch

said. “I think our kids are going to be pumped up, but we can’t try

to out-physical them.”

Instead, Monarch wants his team to play under control. The Trojans

run the option on offense, which is even more reason to stay

disciplined.

“Our defense needs to know their keys,” Monarch said. “The inside

linebackers need to key the fullback on the dive. The outside

linebackers need to tackle the quarterback, and the corners need to

take the option man.”

Quarterback David Hatch has completed less than 10 passes, but he

has rushed for close to 200 yards with three touchdowns. Running

backs Jaime Becerra and Adonis Brown have combined for five

touchdowns and close to 700 rushing yards.

Monarch said repetition during the week will help the defense

prepare for the game.

“We’re going to run the option about fifty-eight thousand times in

practice,” he aid. “All four of our linebackers need to adhere to

their assignments. That offense has been the same for 100 years.”

The Silver Valley defense is similar to the Silver Valley offense

in that it is big, strong and fast.

“They have a five-man front and put a bunch of big guys up front,”

Monarch said. “What we need to do on offense is execute extremely

well. We need to mix it up with nice short passing.”

The Lightning have been a dominating running team, racking up

1,077 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on 188 carries. The load has

been split pretty evenly between fullback Don Ayres and tailback Keya

Manshadi.

Manshadi is the team leader with 525 yards and nine touchdowns on

76 carries. But Ayres is right behind with 513 rushing yards and

seven scores on 74 carries.

Monarch will test the lights at a night practice to ensure there

is enough lighting and to also get the players adjusted to the

conditions.

“We’re going to have a big rally at school and then we’re going to

play a homecoming game under the lights,” Manshadi said. “It’s a

dream of a lifetime.”