This season, Sage Hill football faced a variety of hurdles, but never stopped trying to overcome them. Throughout every game, each player brought their all onto the field, always excited to play and leave everything on the field. While Sage Hill didn’t advance to the CIF finals, they defeated tough opponents and became a close-knit team.
Lightning Football had an overall record of 5-4. Their first home game, they played California School for the Deaf, Riverside (CDSR), a team fresh off a CIF championship. With the Sage Hill student section cheering them on, the Lightning Football team battled to win 41-6.
“The CSDR game was definitely the most exciting part of the season. That game I actually got a new nickname: D’Latte!” junior running back Dylan Dolotta said.
In their third game, football played Ánimo Jackie Robinson Charter High School, a school that had excellent offensive and defensive players. Rising to the challenge, the team planned strategies, ran new plays and focused on bonding as a team. Their dedication to the game paid off when they scored eight touchdowns and a 2-point conversion. That game, players from each grade were able to showcase their individual skills and talent on the field, learning new lessons and using old ones to win the game. This game earned them a record of 3-0.
The next week, the football team faced a new opponent: Hesperia Christian. Although they showed perseverance, Sage lost 27-48. Yet, they came out of the game with new ideas for plays and a determination to win the next game
“It’s been tough with players playing new and unfamiliar positions and having to deal with injuries,” junior wide receiver Jake Pirnazar said.
However, Pirnazar believed that with their determination, the team would overcome these obstacles.
All of the hours the team had spent working hard in practice paid off in a victory against Foothills Christian High School.
“That game, I saw every player putting in their absolute best for us to secure the W,” team captain Danyel Khan said.
Yet, they faced headwinds in losses against Chadwick High School and the Flintridge Prep football team. Instead of being weighed down by these defeats, the team worked harder than ever off and on the field to improve their skills and communication. Their discipline and work ethic earned them a win over Windward School in a home game on Ramer Field.
Sage Hill lost their final game of the season against Avalon High School 26-63 after traveling by boat to Catalina Island.
Next year, the team hopes to focus on developing strong work ethics, creating new plays becoming a close-knit team and winning the CIF finals.
