The August 22, 2016 lightningboltonline.com
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Volume 17, Issue 1 www.facebook.com/sagehillschool
When Eight Is Enough
Lightning Goes Freelance
The Sage Hill football team is looking ahead at a bright season, filled with new be17daileyj.publications@gmail.com ginnings. Led by new head coach BJ Crabtree, the team will make the transition from 11-man to 8-man football and they could not be more excited and prepared to compete this fall. “My hope for the team this year is that each player has a great experience and finds success. This does not necessarily mean that they win every game or win a CIF Championship (although both would be nice), but it means that they learn and demonstrate what it means to be a part of something bigger than themselves, and that each team member makes his journey, the team’s journey too,” Megan Cid, Athletic Director said. In the short time Crabtree has been with the team, he has already proven he is extremely qualified and determined to take this team to the next level. “If you walk out to one of [Crabtree’s] practices, there is no doubt that he is ‘all in’— dedicated, passionate and positive about the direction of Sage Hill football. That to me is already success, and I can’t wait to see him build upon it,” Cid said. As a collegiate athlete, Crabtree played at Golden West Junior College and Sonoma State University. He then continued his football journey as a coach at The Pegasus School where he still teaches in the school’s computer lab. He has also brought along a new offensive coordinator for the team, Michael Kilkenny, who teaches and once coached at Carden Hall for almost 20 years. Their passion for the game, along with the drive of Ricky Sharpe, expert strength
By Jamie Dailey
Friday - Calvary Chapel Downey, Home Sept. 2 - St. Michael’s Prep, Home Sept. 8 - New Design Charter, Away Sept. 17 - Price, Home Sept. 23 - Avalon, Home Sept. 30 - Discovery Prep, Home Oct. 7 - Chadwick, Home Oct. 14 - Chadwick, Home Oct. 29 - Animo Leadership High School, Away
coach and defensive coordinator, will allow them to lead this team to success. “We are trying to win every game. Something the team, coaches and community will hear early and often will be win with character. That’s our goal, but what’s unique for this first year is our motto that we as team are building around, which is to ‘Attack The Moment’ (#ATM),” Crabtree said. Although there was much debate last year as to whether Sage Hill should switch to 8-man football, because of the small size of our school and the number of football participants, it was decided that 8-man would best allow the football program to grow and thrive. “Our football team is in a pretty big transitional year, going from 11-man to 8-man football and while during this decision not everybody was on the same page, we are now where we are, an 8- man football school,” Crabtree said. “So, like in life, you can only control one thing, the moment you’re in right now, and that’s our plan. Whether we are lifting, watching film, studying playbooks, stretching, doing drills, executing plays or supporting a friend, on or off the field, we will ‘Attack The Moment!’” The players have already embraced the switch to 8-man football, showing their dedication both on the field and in the weight room. “This summer, we focused on developing our skills and creating strong bonds within our team, especially between the veterans and the new guys,” senior Javier Martin said. “We trained ourselves for this season through not only practice on the field, but also through weight lifting and learning new plays in the MMLH. The hard work that we have been putting into football since July is going to really prepare us for this season.” Among the many changes in the football program this year, the team will now compete in CIF-SS Division 1 as “freelance” and play in eight games throughout the fall. However, 8-man football will still prove to be a game of high intensity, the only main differences from 11-man being a slightly smaller field with three less players on each side of the ball. “One of our main goals is to prove to this community that 8-man football is still football with blocking, passing, tackling and scoring...This community will see how hard we play. We want Sage Hill to be proud of this program, and I truly believe we will do this,” Crabtree said. When Sage Hill left the Academy League, the three remaining teams, St. Margaret’s, Crean Lutheran and Bretheren Christian, were forced to go freelance and may have difficulty qualifying for CIF Playoffs. Sage Hill plays its first game of the season against Calvary Chapel Downey on Friday, August 26 at 7:00 PM at Ramer Field.This night of celebration and school spirit will even include food and drinks from Taqueria De Anda, music and giveaways! Time to #ATM.
Lauren Hausman
New Season Begins. Junior quarterback William Leong greets coach BJ Crabtree at the beginning of practice Thursday on Ramer Field.The team will play its first 8-man football game Friday night at 7:30 against Calvary Chapel Downey.
Lauren Hausman
Freshmen Featured. The new lineup for 8-man football features seven freshmen on the Lightning team who will play their first game Friday night.