Sage Hill flattens league nemesis

monday morning qbsUndefeated Lightning avoid complacency to handle Brethren Christian in Academy League opener Friday. Coming off a bye week, Sage Hill School football coach Tom Monarch was worried his team might come out flat against visiting Brethren Christian on Friday night.

But the roles appeared reversed following the Lightning’s 27-16 victory in the Academy League opener.

Brethren’s history of success bred complacency, Monarch said.

“To their defense, I think it could have been easy to come out [confident] based on past years’ performances,” he said. “They came in a bit overconfident. Our coaches saw that before the game. They saw it in their drills. They’re kind of a laid-back bunch.”

In two prior meetings, the Warriors (5-3, 0-1 in league) had outscored the Lightning (7-0, 1-0) by a combined 79-21. But Friday’s contest helped Sage open a new chapter.

“I told them before the game that there are big games you play in your life and you can either do one of two things,” Monarch said. “You can sit down with your kids at the dinner table 25 years from now and say what a great game you played in, or what a great game you won.

“We’ve all played in great games, but it’s all about the ones you have won.”

Thanks to standout performances on offense by senior tailback Keya Manshadi, junior fullback Don Ayres, sophomore quarterback Jamie McGee and senior receiver Zach Milder, Sage Hill, ranked No. 8 in CIF Southern Section Division XIII, defeated Brethren Christian for the first time.

Ayres rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown, while Manshadi darted for 101 yards and two scores. Through the air, McGee and Milder connected on a 45-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter to all but ice the game.

The victory significantly helped Sage’s pursuit of one of the four-team league’s two CIF playoff spots.

But an even greater challenge awaits the Lightning on Friday. Sage visits St. Margaret’s (7-0, 1-0), ranked No. 1 in CIF Division XIII, at 7 p.m.

Elsewhere around the Newport-Mesa football scene:

* COSTA MESA: What Mustangs Coach Jay Johnson called the team’s rebirth -- a two-game winning streak coinciding with a shift from the spread offense to the smashmouth double wing -- continued with Friday’s 24-0 Golden West League victory over Ocean View.

But as the Mustangs (2-7, 2-3 in league) head into a bye week with only a Nov. 11 meeting against Orange left on their regular-season schedule, Johnson and his players wonder if the recent upswing may be too little, too late.

The Mustangs’ first shutout since 2003 propelled them into sole possession of fourth place, which would be good enough for a berth in the CIF Southern Section Division VII playoffs.

But unless the Mustangs can upset Orange (6-2, 3-1), they would need a pair of Estancia losses to avoid being left out of the playoffs.

If Estancia (1-7, 1-3) defeats Saddleback (2-6, 1-4) Thursday at Orange Coast College, or Santa Ana (Nov. 11), it would claim one of the league’s four guaranteed playoff berths, unless Mesa defeats Orange.

If the Mustangs and Eagles wind up tied, Estancia holds the tiebreaker advantage courtesy of its 20-14 win over Costa Mesa on Sept. 30.

Johnson was pleased with his team’s play on offense and defense against Ocean View, which was without standout transfer quarterback Brandon Price.

Their coach [Dean Yoshiyama] told me Price was not at practice after Tuesday and [Yoshiyama] heard he had gone back to Mississippi,” Johnson said. “[Price’s absence] was a total surprise to us.”

A pleasant surprise, Johnson said.

Johnson said so many Mustangs are playing well, it was tough to single out two for Player of the Week recognition.

Johnson said his plan for the bye week is to maintain the team’s momentum and polish the game plan against Orange.

“There is excitement with a chance to make the playoffs,” Johnson said. “I think, now, our guys are even looking forward to playing Orange [ranked No. 7 in CIF Division VII]. A few weeks ago, I think they were dreading playing Orange.”

* NEWPORT HARBOR: The Sailors’ disappointment over Friday’s 24-21 loss at Aliso Niguel was enhanced, Coach Jeff Brinkley said, when the game videotape revealed that Newport Harbor recovered a fumble on the Wolverines’ game-tying, 1-yard touchdown sneak on fourth-and-goal with 4:46 left in the game.

“[Aliso quarterback Tyler Zanolli] never had the ball,” Brinkley said of the play in question. “We couldn’t see it from the sideline Friday, but it was clear on the video that he fumbled and Nick Frazier recovered.”

The umpire, positioned in the end zone just behind the linebackers, moved forward toward the goal line waiving his hands -- similar to the sign an official would to indicate an incomplete pass.

It was a signal Brinkley believes meant Zanolli was either stopped short of the goal line, or that he didn’t have the ball.

A linesman running in from the sideline, however, signaled touchdown. The officials met to confer and upheld the touchdown ruling.

Brinkley is convinced the officials got it wrong and the umpire simply failed to overrule his fellow officials.

Eric Carr later kicked a 48-yard field goal with two seconds left for the winning margin.

Brinkley, however, said the controversial touchdown ruling should in no way be interpreted as an excuse for the loss.

“We had our opportunities to win,” he said.

Brinkley was generally pleased with the play of Newport’s offense, but was disappointed with his defense, particularly the inability to contain Zanolli in the pocket.

The Sailors (5-3, 2-1 in the Sea View League) can still claim at least a share of the league title with victories over last-place Irvine (3-5, 0-3), Thursday at Newport Harbor, and first-place Laguna Hills (4-4, 3-0) on Nov. 10 at Mission Viejo High.

“We need to rebound from a tough loss and take care of business this week,” Brinkley said.

* ESTANCIA: Despite a 42-0 loss Friday to Golden West League leader Westminster, Eagles’ Coach Brian Barnes called the entire week a turning point for the program.

“We played hard in the first half [after which Westminster led, 14-0] and I think the kids realized they could play with [the Lions],” Barnes said.

“For the first time all year, in the locker room at halftime, we had some senior kids step up and do their duty as leaders. There was an excitement and the energy flowing. It was something that the coaches have been hoping to see and something that needs to be there every week. It was awesome.”

Barnes also said the coaches took steps to increase the intensity in practices.

“We wanted to challenge the kids to see if they would step up,” Barnes said. “We actually had wrestling matches at the end of practices. The players were in pads and it was all controlled. It was done to try to challenge them.”

The Eagles (1-7, 1-3) can clinch a CIF Division VII playoff berth with a victory over Saddleback (2-6, 1-4) Thursday at Orange Coast College.

* CORONA DEL MAR: Coach Dick Freeman said the Sea Kings used their bye week to get healthy.

Defensive standouts Matt Burgner, Keaten Price and Erik Rask, all battling minor injuries, are now at or near 100%, Freeman reported.

The Sea Kings (3-5, 1-3 in the Pacific Coast League), will play host to Beckman (2-7, 1-4) Friday at Newport Harbor High. CdM can clinch a CIF Division IX playoff berth with wins over Beckman and University (Nov. 11).

-- Barry Faulkner contributed to this report