Lightning win with defense

Rick Devereux

In the midst of its best season, the Sage Hill School football team

is not relishing in the moment. Instead, the Lightning (5-1) are

looking to the future.

“If we can win our sixth game of the year, even if we lose all

three Academy League games, it will give us at shot at an at-large

berth for the playoffs,” Coach Tom Monarch said. “With that said, our

team is getting better each week and we play some pretty tough teams

in and out of league.”

Before Sage opens the Academy League schedule Oct. 29 against

Brethren Christian, the Lightning play Sherman Indian at 7:30 p.m.

Friday in Riverside.

The Braves (1-4) beat Sage Hill, 22-9, last season with a

dominating running attack that produced 237 rushing yards and three

touchdowns.

This year, the Lightning have made a conscious effort to force

teams to pass by stopping the run. The Sage Hill defense has allowed

one rushing touchdown in its five victories. When the Lightning win,

opponents have been limited to less than 1.9 yards per carry and

teams have averaged less than 56 rushing yards a game.

Monarch said before the season began that he wanted to force teams

to pass on the secondary, what he thought was a strength of the

defense. The defense has picked off eight passes and has held

opposing quarterbacks to 39 percent completion percentage and 85

passing yards per contest. The Lightning have also registered 24

sacks. The three touchdown receptions the defense has allowed came in

the past two weeks, and when the game was well in hand for Sage.

The matchup against Sherman Indian should be an easy Sage Hill

victory when looking at common opponents. The Braves lost to Twin

Pines, 14-0, in the third game of the year, whereas Sage Hill blew

past the Bobcats, 40-7. The Lightning controlled Fairmont Prep, 35-0,

two weeks ago, but Sherman Indian struggled to an, 8-6, victory over

the Huskies last week.

“I think if we stay healthy, we should be able to handle [Sherman

Indian],” Monarch said.

The one thing that might affect Sage Hill the most will be the

hour-and-a-half bus trip out to Riverside.

“I have not been [to Sherman Indian] to play or to scout,” Monarch

said. “I don’t think it will affect the kids that much. The kids will

bring their pregame meal with them on the bus and they will get taped

on the bus. To me, it doesn’t make a difference.”