Sage Hill loses battle at Midway

Bryce Alderton

For two consecutive years, Sage Hill School and Midway Baptist have

begun the high school football season against one another, but Friday

the roles reversed from last fall.

This time, host Midway Baptist, with eight seniors, won its home

opener, 48-15, against the undersized, youthful Lightning in a

nonleague game, christening a new field -- the outfield grass of the

school’s baseball field. A year ago, host Sage Hill won its first

varsity game against Midway Baptist, 42-24, and finished 3-7.

“[Midway Baptist] got older and we got younger,” said Sage Hill

Coach Tom Monarch, who was more than pleased with his team’s

performance, especially that of the freshmen and sophomores. “We had

five freshmen starting and I don’t know too many teams in [Orange

County] that have that. They made some big hits and plays. The

mistakes they made were critical, but they will correct them as the

season progresses. They will be able to build on this.”

Midway Baptist’s biggest keys on offense Friday -- all seniors --

were tailbacks Anthony Medina and Isaiah Warner, along with

quarterback Ryan Webb and receiver John Carr.

Warner ran roughshod over the Sage Hill defense, scoring five

touchdowns -- four rushing -- while amassing 126 yards on 13 carries

and catching four balls for 46 yards. Webb completed 12 of 16 passes

for 128 yards and no interceptions, using Warner and Medina out of

the backfield on screen plays that confused the Lightning from the

outset.

“We need the linebackers to move outside and contain, we weren’t

getting there quick enough,” Monarch said. “We might have to use five

linebackers and make teams throw.”

Sage Hill didn’t deviate from its running game despite falling

behind, 28-6, after Medina -- a linebacker -- stepped into the

passing lane to pick off a pass and return it 31 yards with one minute, 43 seconds remaining in the first half.

Sage Hill senior Eddie Huang, one of only five on the Lightning

roster, carried 20 times for 176 yards and two touchdowns, including

a 69-yarder, aided by a block from senior fullback Ray Lim, which

tied the score, 6-6, with just more than five minutes to go in the

first quarter.

That was as close as Sage Hill got until Huang’s 8-yard TD run

closed the gap to 28-15 with 5:20 left in the third quarter, capping

an 11-play, 98-yard march that consumed 5:32.

Sage Hill forced Midway to punt on its next offensive series, but

the Lightning’s returner couldn’t handle the kick and fumbled the

ball away to the hosts. Five plays later Webb hit Warner for an

18-yard TD screen play, taking much of the wind out of any comeback

attempt.

“That was a momentum breaker,” Monarch said. “We would have had

the ball on the 40 and had a good opportunity to make it a one

touchdown game, but we’re young and those things happen.”

Another an interception gave the Patriots the ball at the Sage

Hill 30 and Webb hit Medina, cutting across the middle, on the first

play from scrimmage to make it 41-15 with just less than 10 minutes

remaining in the game.

Despite four turnovers of their own, the Lightning forced five

fumbles, recovering three loose balls. Sophomores Morgan Brief and

Nick Sohl both recovered fumbles, but it was senior linebacker Peter

Haderlein and freshman Don Ayers who came up with what was a key

turnover at the time.

With Midway Baptist marching on the first drive of the second

half, Webb connected with Medina on a slant and the receiver sprinted

for the corner of the end zone. Haderlein raced back and stripped the

ball loose from Medina’s grasp and Ayres was right behind to pounce

on the ball at the 2, setting up the aforementioned 98-yard drive.

“[Ayres] is a phenomenal football player,” Monarch said.

“[Freshman] Michael Solomon came up with some big hits as well.”

Freshman Braden Ross started at quarterback for the Lightning

Friday and showed poise in the pocket, completing 5 of 7 passes for

24 yards, despite being pressured several times from a blitzing front

four. Ross also handled the punting duties.

“We want to develop him into a drop-back passer,” Monarch said.

“He has a solid arm, so he just needs time to mature. I was pleased

with his composure, he made good decisions and has the potential to

be one of the best in the county.”

Huang, who was slated to start at quarterback before he suffered a

shoulder injury in the preseason, played wide receiver for the

Lightning last year, but responded well to his new role Friday.

“We’ll improve, I like the whole team,” he said.