Lightning growing up quickly

Patrick Laverty

More so than any other team in the Newport-Mesa area, and probably

more than any other team in Orange County, the questions entering

Sage Hill School’s first football game were abundant.

Starting five freshmen will do that.

But despite a 48-15 loss, Lightning Coach Tom Monarch actually

came away from the first game pleased. He understands that five

freshmen and four sophomores in the starting lineup make for some

growing pains.

“I expected to see the deer in the headlights with these kids,”

Monarch said. “But I really was impressed with the play of the

freshmen. I like the mechanics of a lot of the younger kids.”

Those younger kids now at least have a game under their belt as

they travel to Calvary Chapel of Downey Friday for a 7 p.m. nonleague

game at Valley Christian High.

The Grizzlies were defeated by Western Christian, 37-12, in Week

1.

The Lightning will continue to emphasize the running game, led by

senior tailback Eddie Huang, who rushed for 187 yards in the opener,

and fullback Ray Lim.

Success on the ground will take pressure off freshman quarterback

Braden Ross, who completed 5 of 7 passes in the opener and impressed

Monarch immensely with his composure.

“We’re slowly bringing Braden along,” Monarch said. “We’re working

on the short passing game to get him some maturity: hitches and

slants, straight play action. Each week we’ll add a little bit.”

Despite allowing 48 points, the Lightning defense did recover

three fumbles, including one forced by senior Peter Haderlein and

recovered by freshman Don Ayres at the 1-yard line, preventing a

touchdown.

The defense will take on more of a four-three look this week as

opposed to the Lightning’s customary four-four defense in an attempt

to guard against Calvary Chapel’s screen passes.

“They run a spread offense, lots of doubles and triples,” Monarch

said. “The run a lot of tunnel screens. Our goal is to handle their

screens and better our run defense.”

Huang, an All-Academy League safety last season, only played

defense in the first quarter because of a shoulder injury he

aggravated when he made tackles last week. Though still bothered by

the injury, Huang is expected to start and play safety primarily on

passing downs.

Lim, a senior who started at linebacker last week, has a slight

hamstring injury and is expected to be limited to an offensive role.