Sage Hill’s Anderson off to perfect start

As for great debuts, Sage Hill School football coach Pete Anderson is certainly off to a sensational start.

Anderson, who is in his first year as a varsity coach, has guided his team to a 2-0 record. He’s looking to improve that mark to 3-0 tonight at 7 when the Lightning play host to Tri-City Christian of Vista. It would be the first time since 2005 that Sage Hill started the season 3-0. That year, the Lightning won their first seven games. But that was under Coach Tom Monarch.

Now Anderson’s making the calls, and all the right moves. That’s been instrumental in a 2-0 start, with wins over Fairmont Prep (30-26) and Midway Baptist (41-6).

Of course, playing at home has certainly helped the Lightning, too. Sage Hill will play its third of five straight home games tonight.

“It’s just nice,” Anderson said of his team playing on the field at the small school in Newport Coast. “You don’t have to worry about travel. You can focus on being prepared and winning. There are just no surprises.”

Sage Hill will try to surprise the Eagles (0-2) with a productive offense led by senior Jamie McGee. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound quarterback threw for 258 yards and four touchdowns on 17-of-23 passing last week against Midway Baptist. He also ran in for a touchdown. The Lightning also produced on the ground, thanks to fullback Max Torres, who rushed for 107 yards on 17 carries.

Though he is a fullback, Torres received the majority of the carries in the first two games. He has rushed for 150 yards on 28 carries with a TD, thus far.

Anderson expects to keep feeding Torres the rock, because of his experience. The senior is also quick, not necessarily in the open field, but initially when he gets the ball, Anderson said.

The first-year coach has been preparing his 6-0, 195-pound fullback and the rest of his offense as best as he can, considering Sage Hill has never faced Tri-City Christian.

The Eagles have a five-three defense. On offense they are led by quarterback Andrew Torkelson, who has thrown for 403 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions on 22-of-54 passing.

“I know they’re a real solid program,” Anderson said. “After watching them on film, they are definitely well coached.”

Yet after losses to Capistrano Valley Christian (29-26) and Saddleback Valley Christian (32-6), it would appear the Lightning are favored to win. It could be another blowout win like against Midway Baptist, or a close-shave win similar to the one over Fairmont.

“I don’t make those kind of predictions,” Anderson said.

He’s too busy trying to keep a winning streak alive in his first year of coaching.