Sage hungry to play

The Sage Hill School football team has two aspects in common with

Twin Pines: Both schools have played Fairmont Prep and Sherman

Indian.

But that’s just about all the similarities that can be drawn

between the two.

While Twin Pines (1-3) defeated Fairmont Prep, 23-14, and lost to

Sherman Indian, 20-16, the Lightning (4-0), ranked No. 8 in CIF

Southern Section Division XIII, walloped both schools by a combined

93-16.

Sage, hungry for game time after an unexpected weekend off due to

fires near Calabasas last weekend, plays host to Twin Pines at 7 p.m.

Friday.

“They’re looking to play a game,” Lightning Coach Tom Monarch said

about his players. “They’re licking their chops and ready to go out

an play somebody besides themselves.”

Sage’s scheduled game last Friday against Viewpoint at Calabasas

High was canceled due to the Topanga area fire. Some of the Viewpoint

players’ families were displaced, Monarch said.

The extra week off enabled banged-up players to get some

much-needed rest, Monarch added.

Sophomore quarterback Jamie McGee, who suffered a minor ankle

sprain in the team’s game against Sherman Indian, will likely benefit

from the week off, as will senior defensive lineman Nick Sohl, who

suffered a laceration above his knuckle.

Still, there are drawbacks to having the week off, Monarch said.

“Whenever you go two weeks without playing, typically you come out

flat,” he said. “It’s hard to tell. If we come out and play like I

know we can play, we’ll win. But if we come out and play flat,

anything can happen.”

The Lightning, who have started 4-0 for the first time in school

history, have been led so far by the ground tandem of senior tailback

Keya Manshadi and junior fullback Don Ayres.

Ayres has gained 481 yards on the ground this season while

Manshadi has posted 414 rushing yards. The duo has combined for 14

touchdowns.

Quarterback McGee has completed 20 of 44 passes for 272 yards,

with eight touchdowns and one interception. He has thrown two TDs in

each game.

Monarch said he is still trying to balance out the team’s passing

attack with the running game. But with lopsided contests, it’s hard

to avoid the run, he said.

SAGE HILL STARTERS

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OFFENSE

No. Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Po.

7 Jamie McGee 6-2 175 So. QB

9 Keya Manshadi 6-0 175 Sr TB

45 Don Ayres 6-0 175 Jr. FB

10 Braden Ross 5-10 170 Jr. WR 1 Zach Milder 5-9 140 Sr. WR

61 Krishna Sani 6-2 210 Sr. TE

58 Kyle Ramer 6-2 240 Sr. LT

55 Brandon David 5-10 230 Sr. LG 54 Bryan Kornswiet 5-9 175 Sr. C

22 Nick Sohl 6-1 180 Sr. RG 65 Michael Morgan 6-4 230 xx. RT

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DEFENSE

No. Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Po.

65 Michael Morgan 6-4 230 Sr. DE

56 Morgan Brief 5-4 160 Sr. DT

55 Brandon David 5-10 230 Sr. DT 61 Krishna Sani 6-2 210 Sr. DE

45 Don Ayres 6-0 175 Jr. OLB

22 Nick Sohl 6-1 180 Sr. ILB

8 Max Torres 6-0 165 Sr. ILB

54 Bryan Kornswiet 5-9 175 Sr. OLB

10 Braden Ross 5-10 170 Jr. CB 9 Keya Manshadi 6-0 175 Sr. CB

1 Zach Milder 5-9 140 Sr. S

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