Sage Hill’s homecoming game on Nov. 1 against the Calvary Chapel Christian School Downey ended perfectly for Sage’s seniors, who all had great games, with the Lightning destroying the Grizzlies 35-8.

It was the last time for seniors on the Sage Hill football team to play on Ramer Field.

The team knew the Calvary Chapel Grizzlies would be one of its easier adversaries, a team they definitely could beat, but seniors encouraged the team to play its best.  They realized that with the wrong mindset and a half-hearted effort, Lightning could lose–a lesson the team learned earlier this season in its game against Classical Academy High School.

The team started the game with a defensive stop.  From there, Sage steamrolled Calvary Chapel starting with a 35-yard touchdown from senior Samuel Masarik, concluding the first quarter with a 7-0 Sage lead.

Following Masarik’s touchdown, senior Luca Bonvicini scored another touchdown by running through three defenders in the process.  Calvary Chapel’s football team attempted to retaliate but its offense was stopped two yards away from a touchdown by a fumble forced and recovered by senior Will Burns.

Finally, Sage’s offense was stopped with four minutes left in the second quarter.  However, three plays later junior Beaumont Roth intercepted the ball, resulting in a 37-yard touchdown and a 21-0 Sage lead at the end of the second quarter.

After halftime, Sage immediately scored again, with another touchdown from Masarik. A defensive stop then led to Masarik’s third touchdown of the night.

Then in the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies ended the Lightning’s 35-0 run, starting with an interception thrown by junior quarterback Keith McCord II.  The Grizzlies kept on advancing down the field until finally scoring a touchdown and a two-point conversion, resulting in a 35-8 final score.

Ultimately, the game proved to be a spectacular night for the seniors, especially Masarik.  He recorded seven receptions in total for 192 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 27 yards per run.  Other notable seniors besides Masarik, Bonvicini and Burns included linemen Christopher Lee, who had a sack, and Jack Bick, who recorded five tackles.

Sage will play one of its last games on Friday Nov. 9 at Crean Lutheran High School.