Final tune-up for Sage

sh grid pre vs. sherman indianThe Lightning visit Silver Valley Friday evening in their last nonleague contest before moving to meat of their schedule.The Sage Hill School football team has Academy League play on the mind.

But there’s one more opponent before the Lightning (5-0) arrive in the gritty part of their schedule.

Sage visits Silver Valley (0-5) of Yermo at 7 p.m. Friday in its last nonleague contest.

“I know they’re hungry for Brethren Christian (Oct. 28),” Sage Coach Tom Monarch said. “One of the difficult things for our coaching staff is to not have the team overlook our next opponent.”

Silver Valley has lost to its five opponents by a combined 214-64. Sage, on the other hand, has trounced its opponents by a combined 204-49.

Monarch said he will be looking to strengthen the team’s passing attack a little more before heading into league play.

Sophomore quarterback Jamie McGee shined brightest last week in a 47-6 win over visiting Twin Pines, completing 16 of 25 for 236 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

It was also a breakout game for senior receiver Zach Milder, who hauled in six catches for 133 yards and two scores.

Monarch said when league play begins, the opponents will likely try and shut down Sage’s dominant running game. So the passing attack has to be ready, he said.

“I’m more concerned with having a successful passing attack in league,” Monarch said. “If we’re one-dimensional, it’s easy to play defense. Our goal is to make defenses spread ou. We want them to appreciate our running and passing games.”

The Lightning, ranked No. 8 in CIF Southern Section Division XIII, will likely face their toughest opponent when they visit St. Margaret’s Nov. 4. The Tartans, ranked No. 2 in the same division, are also undefeated.

“When league comes, we’re going to have to pass because they’re going to try and shut down our run,” Monarch said.

Silver Valley will provide the Lightning with one more chance at fine-tuning the passing game.

“The passing game is about 80% there,” Monarch said. “We just need to hit the receivers a little more in stride.”

Silver Valley is led by quarterback David Hatch and running back Thomas Barnes.

Hatch has completed 17 of 43 for 206 yards and a touchdown, while he has run for four touchdowns. Barnes has carried 44 times for 265 yards and three scores.

SAGE HILL STARTERS