Slow start quiets Lightning

Sage Hill doesn’t have the firepower to match Campbell Hall in 65-28 quarterfinal road setback.VAN NUYS -- On a chilly night at Birmingham High in Van Nuys, the Sage Hill School football team’s impressive season came to an end against No. 2-seed Campbell Hall, 65-28, in the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Division XIII playoffs.

From the opening moments, the host Vikings (9-3) had too much firepower for the Lightning, as they took their opening drive into the end zone.

Campbell Hall defensive back Sam Pechin intercepted a Jamie McGee pass on Sage Hill’s ensuing possession to give the Vikings the ball back with good field position. The Vikings scored quickly, extending their lead to 14-0 with less than five minutes into the game.

“[Campbell Hall] took us out of our game.” Sage Hill Coach Tom Monarch said. “They shut down the running game in the first half.”

Campbell Hall took a 38-0 lead into the half, and opened the third quarter with a touchdown less than two minutes in. The Vikings extended their lead to 52-0 when defensive back Maxwell Garrison intercepted a pass two yards deep in the end zone and returned it 102 yards for a touchdown.

That score seemed to awaken the Lightning defense, as defensive back Don Ayres returned an interception 49 yards for Sage Hill’s first score of the game.

The Lightning (9-2) recovered the onside kick, but the late rally proved too little, too late.

However, the final minutes provided some highlights for the locals, as Sage Hill outscored Campbell Hall, 28-27, in the second half.

McGee seemed to finally get comfortable against a tenacious Campbell Hall defense, stringing together nine straight completions. He connected with Zach Milder on scores of 41 and 50 yards.

He finished 17 of 35 passing for 268 yards and three touchdowns.

CAMPBELL HALL 65, SAGE HILL 28

SCORE BY QUARTERS