More often than not, the skill position players on a football team
garner the glory, racking up yards and touchdowns, along with
newspaper clippings.
Often overlooked is the driving force that makes it all possible.
Sage Hill School football coach Tom Monarch said the biggest
improvement to his squad this year rests with the big boys in the
trenches.
"I think we're a better football team," Monarch said. "I think the
main thing is the offensive line. We have seniors all the way across
for the first time. Anybody that knows football, whether it's high
school, college or the pros, knows an experienced offensive line wins
championships.
"The kids have lifted hard, gotten stronger, quicker, bigger, and
in conjunction with their experience, will be the strongest point."
Returning to an offensive line that helped the Lightning go 7-4
last season and reach the CIF Southern Section Division XIII
postseason for the first time in school history are seniors Kyle
Ramer, Brandon David, Bryan Kornswiet, Nick Sohl, Morgan Brief and
Michael Morgan.
All around, the Lightning have nine offensive starters returning
and eight on defense, while six first-team All-Academy League
selections return -- seniors Keya Manshadi, Kornswiet, Brief and
Sohl, along with juniors Don Ayres and Braden Ross.
The plethora of experience and leadership is a factor Monarch has
been craving.
"We haven't had that prior to this season," said Monarch, the
reigning Academy League Coach of the Year. "The seniors help run
practice, help mentor younger players and they know the offense,
defense, stretching drills and what jokes I'm going to tell. Coming
into this year, we won't have to work so much with the fundamentals
and we can elevate our level of play and expand ourselves on both
sides."
Here's a position-by-position breakdown:
Quarterback: Sophomore Jamie McGee returns after a debut season in
which he completed 71 of 148 passes for 858 yards with five
touchdowns and seven interceptions, good for second-team all-league
status. He threw for a season-high 143 yards against Linfield
Christian in the first round of the playoffs.
Last season, McGee replaced Ross, who moved to the receiver
position.
"[McGee's] had a great summer," Monarch said. "He's more mature
now in reference to his receiver selection. His arm strength is
better, his composure is better and his overall decision making is
better."
Monarch added that by the time McGee (6-foot-2, 175 pounds) is a senior, he should be one of the best quarterbacks in Orange County.
