Lightning expect improvement
Abram Booty smiles when asked about his coaching staff for the Sage Hill School football team this season.
Booty, the first-year head coach and former LSU and pro wide receiver, has assembled some former college and professional football stars on his staff.
But also, there’s his dad, Johnny, who is a high school coaching legend in Louisiana.
Johnny has now moved to Newport Beach to assist his son. He’s Sage Hill’s quarterbacks coach, and Abram couldn’t be happier.
It was Johnny who coached all four of his sons in high school in Louisiana as a quarterbacks coach. Josh, Abram and John David playing at Evangel Christian High and Jake at Calvary Baptist.
Evangel was a startup program when the eldest, Josh, started attending the school in 1990. Three years later, the school was playing in the Louisiana Superdome and winning the state title. Josh Booty (1993) and Brock Berlin (1999) each earned USA Today National High School Football Offensive Player of the Year honors while playing at Evangel Christian, and Evangel was the 1999 national champion. Two years later, Johnny Booty guided Evangel to the Louisiana state championship when coach Dennis Dunn was on administrative leave.
Abram Booty would love to see his dad help him build up Sage Hill’s program, as well.
“He’s built small programs like this from the ground up to national powers two times in Louisiana,” Abram Booty said. “He’s a legend in Louisiana as a coach.”
Booty, the team’s offensive coordinator, is also pleased with the rest of his coaching staff. The defensive coordinator is former USC star Mike Salmon, who played in the NFL for the 49ers and Bills.
Norberto Garrido, a three-year starter at USC who played professionally for the Panthers and Cardinals, is the offensive line coach. Greg Zinone, who played defensive end at West Virginia, is the defensive line coach. And Corona del Mar High alumnus and former CdM coach Theo Rokos is the linebackers coach.
“Our coaching staff is just tremendous,” Abram Booty said. “Can you imagine that as a kid, to have coaches like that working with you, especially at a start-up program like this? That’s hard to find in a monster high school program, but to find it at a program like this, it’s a great opportunity for these kids, and other future kids who want to come and learn from the best. It’s an amazing opportunity to come get the best education in Southern California, but also to be mentored and coached by these men who have played at the highest level.”
Sage Hill is not a start-up in terms of time, as the Lightning have been playing varsity football since 2002. Yet, in those 13 years, they have earned just one playoff win, in 2005.
Sage Hill was just 3-7 and 0-4 in the Academy League last year. And the Lightning have never beaten rival St. Margaret’s in football.
Yet, with a coaching staff like this, there is reason for optimism.
“They do all of the little things right, and that’s going to help us improve on our game,” said Sage Hill junior receiver and cornerback Miles McCord. “That’s why they were so good, they did all of the little things right. Everyone at that level is athletic, but that’s why they succeeded at that level.”
Added senior running back/defensive tackle DJ Henry: “Mr. Booty, he’s coached a lot of great teams, and I feel like that can be possible for here.”
McCord is one of several talented receivers, a list that also includes Jake Fisher, David Dewey and Abram Booty’s nephew, Jacob Copeland, who is a transfer from Texas. The quarterback who gets to work with Johnny Booty is Caden Sheetz, a junior.
“He’s progressing very quickly,” McCord said of Sheetz. “Just from getting out there and throwing throughout the whole offseason, you could really see how much he’s improved. I have 100% confidence in his abilities this season. He should do really well.”
Sage Hill looked impressive in its scrimmage against Santa Ana Century on Friday night, unofficially shutting out the Centurions while scoring five touchdowns. Sage now prepares for its regular-season opener, which is Thursday against Calvary Chapel at Jim Scott Stadium.
It’s another chance to show improvement. Last year the Lightning lost to the Eagles, 42-7, in the season opener.
“I have had a little time with them in the spring,” said Abram Booty, who was hired in January. “The kids have been working hard in weight room on strength and conditioning. We’re not where we need to be, but we’re right where we’re supposed to be at this time in a start-up program.”
—
The Lightning
2014 records: 3-7; 0-4 in Academy League (fifth place)
2014 CIF playoff results: Did not qualify
Returning starters offense: 3
Returning starters defense: 6
—
2015 Lightning Schedule
Aug. 27: at Calvary Chapel/SA (Jim Scott Stadium), 7 p.m.
Sept. 4: vs. Fairmont Prep, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11: at Maranatha, 7 p.m.
Sept. 18: at Windward, 3 p.m.
Sept. 26: vs. Laguna Beach, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2: at University, 7 p.m.
Oct. 9: at *Crean Lutheran (Irvine High), 7 p.m.
Oct. 16: at. *St. Margaret’s, 7 p.m.
Oct. 30: vs. *Brethren Christian, 7 p.m.
Nov. 6: vs. *Calvary Chapel/Downey, 7 p.m.
(*denotes Academy League game)
