Experience only positive for Lightning

Steve Virgen

The Sage Hill High football team ended its season with a 41-0

loss, a 3-7 record and, overall, an experience that is expected to

make an impact two and three years from now.

Lightning Coach Tom Monarch said his squad received valuable

experience throughout its first varsity season. Sage Hill’s 41-0

Academy League loss to Brethren Christian at Clark Field in Long

Beach Thursday night provided more memories for the Lightning and

another opportunity to learn, Monarch said.

“We won three games this season and that is phenomenal,” Monarch

said. “Two years ago I had eight players on this football team. If

you were to tell me back then that I would have three wins (in the

2002 season), I would have gladly taken that. The advantage for us is

that we got our 12 freshmen varsity experience. I think you’re going

to see the benefits in the next two to three years.”

Sage Hill senior quarterback Zach Friedrichs, as well as seniors

and two-way standouts Erik Williams, Scott Cho and Cliff Swanson

played their final football game for the Lightning (3-6, 0-3 in the

Academy League). The seniors met expectations and provided a solid

example for the juniors and the underclassmen to follow, Monarch

said.

“What I really liked about this season is that the kids maintained

a good attitude the whole time,” Monarch said.

Evidence of Monarch’s words came after the game, when a few Sage

Hill football players poured water over their coach.

“Throughout this season we wanted to have our kids keep an

enjoyment for football,” Monarch said. “I really think we did that.

I’m really looking forward to next year with excitement.”

The Lightning displayed a solid effort inThursday’s game. However,

Brethren Christian (8-2, 2-1), ranked No. 5 in CIF Southern Section

Division XIII, had one too many weapons, mainly junior quarterback

Denny Warden, who rushed for 102 yards and one touchdown and also

threw three touchdown passes.

ACADEMY LEAGUE

Score by Quarters

Sage Hill 0 0 0

0 - 0

Brethren 22 6 7

6 - 41