Sage Hill bitten by turnover bug

Bryce Alderton

By the time Sage Hill High’s defense showed a six-man front early

in the second half to try stopping Saddleback Valley Christian

tailback Brian Harbin the deficit was too much to overcome in

nonleague football Friday afternoon.

The turnover bug had already bitten the Lightning four times on

two fumbles and two interceptions, one returned for a 30-yard

touchdown on the game’s second play, and Sage Hill dropped their its

consecutive game at Sage Hill High, 39-6, to the Warriors.

“That’s the closest 39-6 game I’ve ever coached,” said Lightning

Coach Tom Monarch. “Not punching it in killed us and they scored

three touchdowns off turnovers . Plays like that really separate

teams score-wise.”

With Saddleback Valley Christian up 12-0 with eight minutes

remaining in the first half, the Lightning went on a 75-yard drive in

11 plays to get it to the 1-yard line, but the Warriors forced a

first-down fumble and the Warriors recovered.

On the next play, Warriors’ quarterback Coleman Fait threw to a

streaking Hutton Fitch along the eastern sideline for a 35-yard gain,

setting up a drive that would last four plays, culminating on a

36-yard touchdown scamper for Harbin, his third of five TD’s on the

game. The Warriors went into halftime with a 25-0 bulge. Harbin

gained 233 yards on 20 carries.

“Not punching it in killed us,” Monarch said. “But the defense

really buckled down in the second half and they couldn’t stop us

offensively. I thought our line did well and we moved the ball

extremely well. (SVC) made the big plays and we need four quarters of

big plays instead of just two.”

SVC outscored Sage Hill 14-6 in the second half, as Sage Hill

junior running back Ray Lim tallied 57 of his team-high 93 rushing

yards, ending his day on the ground with a 12-yard TD run on the 12th

play of a 71-yard drive that saw quarterback Zach Friedrichs complete

two passes to Eddie Huong for 19 yards and connecting with senior

wide receiver Erik Williams for gains of 10 and 15 yards. Williams

led the Lightning in receiving with 81 yards.

Ultimately, it was the turnovers that doomed Sage Hill from the

outset. They committed four while SVC lost two fumbles, one recovered

by Williams on the first play from scrimmage as the Warriors were on

the Lightning 1 after freshman Lee Davidson blocked a punt at Sage

Hill’s 24.

On the game’s second play, Davidson stepped into the passing lane

to snare a Friedrichs’ pass and run 30 yards for a TD.

Friedrichs, Williams and senior linebacker Scott Cho were all

nursing injuries, but all started.

Monarch likes where his team is despite Friday’s loss.

“I’d be ecstatic if you would have told me four weeks ago that we

would be 2-2,” he said. I think we’re in good shape next week against

Fairmont.”

The Lightning travels to play host Fairmont Oct. 12 at 7 p.m.