Football Team Makes School History With League Championship
Football Team Makes School History With League Championship
The boys’ varsity football team made Sage Hill history this season by having an undefeated season winning the school’s first league championship in the sport.
This was the first year the team was in Express League, after the school’s move to the Western Athletic Conference this year.
“Our team this year was finally a senior heavy team. It was led by veteran seniors, but also by seniors who came out for just the first year,” Head Coach BJ Crabtree said. “We also have a good mix of talented boys up and down the roster from promising freshman and sophomores, to juniors who are ready to break out big.”
The season started with a game against North Valley Military Institute. It was a good game, but not a great game, Crabtree said.
“That game showed both the players and the coaches what areas needed cleaning up,” he said.
The team responded with eight consecutive games in which they improved week to week.
“They really put on display their heart and character to each other and the blueprint of this football program,” Crabtree said.
One of the biggest highlights of the season was the game played against Calvary Chapel Downey on Senior Night on October 27 at Ramer Field.
“This game had more meaning as it was either going to be a three-way tie for the league title with a loss, or an outright league championship with a victory,” Crabtree said. “Our boys dug down deep, trusted each other and the game plan, and finished with a win, and a perfect 9-0 season.”
The team now turns its attention on trying to get past the first round of the playoffs, as Sage Hill has been turned away the last two years in the first round, Crabtree said. After finishing 9-0, Lightning football was selected as the No. 5 seed in the 16-team playoffs, and will be hosting a formidable opponent in Flintridge Prep School on Friday, November 2.
“We are excited about the opportunity and will continue to carry on in a positive way for this Sage Hill community,” Crabtree said. “I am so proud of our boys and appreciate the seniors who have laid down a strong foundation for many years to come. For that, we thank them from the bottom of our hearts. 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.