Lightning Football Ranked No. 1 in CIF Southern Section
Lightning Football Ranked No. 1 in CIF Southern Section
The Sage Hill’s boys’ varsity football team is undefeated so far this season, and it was just ranked the No. 1 8-man football team in Division 1 by CIF Southern Section.
“This is the first time in the school’s history that we have ever been ranked that high for football,” Athletic Director Megan Cid said. “This is truly amazing and is a testament to the hard work and dedication that our players and coaches have put into this program every day.”
In four games, the Lightning football team outscored its opponents, 217-18. The boys take on Price High School at an away game on Friday, September 22 and hope to end the night with a 5-0 record.
“This feels good for us as a staff and a team,” Head Coach B.J. Crabtree said about the No. 1 ranking. “We had a tall hill to climb losing some great seniors, and throughout the summer we tried to build a new identity while maintaining our catchphrase, #ATM (Attack the Moment).”
Last year the team had a tough time with tackling, so that became the main focus of the summer and the preseason, Crabtree said.
That training has paid off in a big way through the leadership and guidance from Defensive Coordinator Ricky Sharpe, Crabtree said. The offense also continues to shine and gets better each week as Offensive Coordinator Michael Kilkenny finds creative and new ways for the team to get points on the board.
“The ranking is nice, and a bit unexpected this early,” Crabtree said. “But our team has a week-to-week approach and will continue to fall back on the idea of Attacking the Moment. This moment that we are in is playing Price High School, and we will do that as a team and with character.”
At Town Meeting on September 18, quarterback William Leong was honored as the Athlete of the Week. Other players that have stood out so far are tight end/wide receiver Darius ShayanSmith, offensive lineman Ian Morgan and linebacker Michael Sherlock, Crabtree said.
“There are many more who have contributed at a high level this year, as well,” Crabtree said. “We have pushed the kids hard this year, and I'm very proud of our coaches for buying into the program and continuing to give these student athletes a great high school experience.”
Other Sage Hill athletic teams were also included in the most recent CIF Southern Section rankings.
The girls’ volleyball team is ranked No. 2 in Division 3, just behind Laguna Beach High School. Sage Hill plays them on Wednesday, October 11 at 5:30 PM at Laguna Beach.
The girls’ cross-country team is currently ranked No. 4 in Division 5.
Go Lightning!
Sage Hill School
Sage Hill School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, and athletic and other School administered programs.