Sage opens at home

A lot can change in one year.

Sage Hill School football coach Tom Monarch is willing to accept

that notion heading into the Lightning’s nonleague season opener at 7

p.m. Friday against visiting Fairmont Prep.

While Sage demolished the Huskies last season, 35-0, for the

program’s second shutout in its then three-year history, Monarch

believes the situation will be different this year.

But then again, the Lightning have also changed in one year -- as

in -- gotten more experienced. Nine starters return on offense and

eight return on defense for a squad that finished 7-4 last year and

reached the CIF Southern Section Division XIII playoffs for the first

time in school history.

“[Fairmont Prep] is vastly improved and we have also improved, so

it should be a fun contest,” said Monarch, who returns for his fourth

year in the position. “It will be more competitive than last year.”

Fairmont Prep, which went 2-8 last season, received a new weapon

over the summer when two-time All-Century League performer Jonathan

Glover transferred from Villa Park. Glover, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound

senior, was a standout tight end and linebacker for the Spartans in

2004.

Another added benefit for the Huskies, according to Monarch, is

the coaching change. Former coach Jay Johnson moved to the equivalent

position at Costa Mesa and Bobby Mendoza, previously of St. John

Bosco, took over the spot.

“I think they’ll be more of a smashmouth team,” said Monarch, the

2004 Academy League Coach of the Year. “[Mendoza] has a few more

horses this year. [Glover] will make a big difference on the team.

“If we can’t stop that kid on either side of the ball and we don’t

execute well, we’ll lose the game. But if we execute well an keep him

in check, we should be in good shape.”

On the offensive front, Sage is likely to benefit from key

returners Keya Manshadi, Don Ayres and Jamie McGee.

Manshadi, a 6-0, 175-pound senior tailback, rushed for 108 yards

and one touchdown and hauled in another TD from McGee in the

Lightning’s victory over Fairmont last year.

Junior running back Ayres (6-0, 175) gained 131 yards with two TDs

on the ground against Fairmont in 2004, while quarterback McGee (6-2,

175), now a sophomore, threw for two touchdowns.

The Lightning racked up 247 yards on the ground while holding

Fairmont to just 57 yards on 18 carries.

The key to this year’s matchup will be the effectiveness of Sage’s

offensive line, Monarch said.

“Fairmont will have big linebackers, but if our o-line performs

well, I anticipate 60 to 70 yards per [Lightning] running back,” he

said.

Sage is 2 for 3 in season openers and holds a 2-1 series advantage

over the Huskies.