Sage wants to get physical

Sage Hill School has some tweaking to do — perhaps a reaction to its 31-13 loss to Western Christian on Sept. 22.

That’s when the Lightning lost the battle in the trenches.

Coach Tom Monarch said Sage Hill (2-1) has adjusted defensively for tonight’s nonleague game against Fairmont Prep (3-0), at 7 at Valley Christian High in Cerritos.

One of the key moves features junior Joey Puishys shifting from defensive end to linebacker.

“He’s doing well there,” Monarch said. “I think it balances things out, so we can pick up the outside run or pass.”

A week after giving up 287 rushing yards to Western Christian, Monarch said the Lightning will have to control the line of scrimmage against Fairmont Prep.

“If the kids play to their potential, I think we’ll be the most physical team they’ve played all year,” Monarch said. “I told the kids that every play, everybody is going to have to hit somebody. Even if you have the wrong guy, hit him. Anything can happen if you’re more physical than the other side. I think the team that’s more physical is going to win.”

Sage Hill routed Fairmont Prep, 41-8, in the 2005 season opener, but Monarch said this is a different Huskies team.

Fairmont Prep won six of its last eight games last season, and has scored at least 33 points in each of its three wins this season.

“You’ve got a team that’s on its high horse right now in Fairmont,” Monarch said. “It’s an exciting role for us. There’s nothing better than rolling into an undefeated team’s home field.”

Monarch said the Huskies will attempt to run off tackle, and he has his Lightning well prepared for that.

“We want to cut the head off the snake,” he said. “We’re going to try to make them beat us by passing or running outside.”

Sage Hill is also closer to being healthy than before. Quarterback Jamie McGee, who hasn’t missed playing time but has been bothered recently by a sore throwing shoulder, gained more strength during practice this week.

He also said Don Ayres will dress for tonight’s game and may see limited action on both offense and defense.

Ayres, a senior running back and linebacker, suffered a shoulder separation during Sage Hill’s season-opening 24-13 win over St. Genevieve.

Monarch said the Lightning will be excited at the prospect of playing an undefeated team.

“We’re just so young this year, so every game’s going to be a dogfight,” he said. “It’s growing pains. But we’ve had a great week of practice.”