Sage’s Burns earns All-Academy League honors

Sage Hill School senior all-around player Will Burns is one of half a dozen members from his football team making the Academy League first team after the Lightning turned things around, going from a winless team in 2012 to a playoff one this season.

Burns helped Sage Hill (5-6, 2-2 in league) qualify for the CIF Southern Section East Valley Division playoffs for the first time in three years. The Lightning placed third in league and earned an at-large postseason berth.

Burns, a wide receiver, linebacker and kicker, is joined on the first team by senior linemen Daschel Grammer and Jack Bick, senior Sam Masarik, a receiver and free safety, junior CJ McCord, a quarterback and cornerback, and junior Beau Roth, a tailback and strong safety.

Burns finished with 49 catches for 500 yards and seven touchdowns. He converted three of five field-goal attempts and 28 of 29 extra-point kicks.

Masarik had 45 receptions for 586 yards and four touchdowns.

McCord passed for 1,504 yards and 13 touchdowns, with three interceptions. He completed 142 of 253 passes.

Roth rushed 212 times for 1,144 yards and eight touchdowns.

Sage Hill’s second-team members are senior linemen Chris Lee and Tom Ficcadenti, junior Vince Wetmore, a receiver and strong safety, and junior lineman Aaron Kim.

The Academy League Offensive MVP went to St. Margaret’s Josh Davis and the Defensive MVP to Brethren Christian’s Jared Fuga.

— From staff reports