Two-minute drill

 Sage Hill School had already made headlines by assembling a coaching staff stocked with former NFL and college players. But the marquee value on the Lightning sideline attained even more wattage Friday night in the team’s 28-26 nonleague home season-opening win over Fairmont Prep, which came in ranked No. 7 in the CIF Southern Section Northeast Division.

Former Pro-Bowl receiver Keyshawn Johnson, who reportedly owns a house in Emerald Bay and who took former pro receiver and Sage Hill Coach J.R. Tolver under his wing when the two were with the Dallas Cowboys, was on hand to jabber and cajole coaches, players and onlookers.

Johnson was in the ear of several Sage coaches and addressed the team after the victory, advising them to celebrate without alcohol.

 A victory is usually the result of solid play in the three departments of offense, defense and special teams. Tolver took solace in each of that triumvirate holding up its end in the Lightning’s triumph Friday.

“Our mantra is ‘Do your job,’ ” Tolver said. “And our guys did that tonight.”

 Sage Hill occupied the east sideline at its home stadium for the first time in its history Friday, just one of several changes initiated by Tolver.

Lightning players and coaches had to look directly into the setting sun for a portion of the first quarter, but one benefit is drawing energy from the crowd, which occupies just one bleacher located directly behind the Lightning’s bench.

 Several Sage Hill parents and rooters wore black T-shirts with “Sage Hill Strike Force” screened onto the front in white lettering. The shirts also feature white lightning bolts applied on both sides.

 Late in the contest, when Sage Hill was attempting to run out the final two minutes leading by two points, Tolver took a moment during a timeout to glance into the stands and share a laugh with his colleges, most of whom he played with during his college or professional career.

“This was the first time we were together as coaches,” Tolver said of the moment of reflection with his assistants. “We were thinking back there to when we were together as players. Now, our goal is to make memories for these kids.”

 Sage Hill junior Taylor Ross rushed for 103 yards and one touchdown and also stood out at strong safety. But his biggest contribution might have been in the kicking game.

He launched four of his five kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks and the one that didn’t cross the goal line was fielded at the one-yard line.

Ross also boomed a 51-yard punt late in the game to pin Fairmont Prep on its own seven-yard line with 14 seconds left, and made three of four conversion kicks.

To add to his special teams brilliance he fielded an onside kickoff cleanly and immediately fell to the turf cradling the ball to allow Sage to avert a last-minute comeback by the Huskies.

 Corona del Mar High second-year coach Jason Hitchens was pleased with his kickoff return game in the team’s kick-off to the season, except for the penalties calling touchdowns back twice.

The Sea Kings, ranked No. 4 in the CIF Southern Section Southern Division preseason coaches’ poll, still handled their business, beating host Costa Mesa, 34-6.

Donald Dalton had his 88-yard opening kickoff nullified on a chop block. Three minutes, 28 seconds later, Dalton appeared to take a free kick for a 71-yard score until a block in the back brought it back.

Dalton was just happy returning kickoffs.

“I had never done kickoff return before,” said Dalton, a junior. “I had a lot of good blocking. Just a couple of mistakes [on the first two returns].”

Before the first half ended, Dalton got another chance to take one to the house. Costa Mesa tried a squib kick, but Dalton got to the loose ball.

Third time proved to be the charm.

Dalton scored on a 70-yard return, putting CdM ahead, 31-6, with 18 seconds remaining before halftime.

“It’s awesome,” Dalton said. “I’m loving it.”

 The Sea Kings have a rematch at Laguna Beach next week.

CdM trounced the Breakers, 41-0, in last year’s quarterfinals. Laguna Beach is ranked No. 9 in the Southern Division preseason coaches’ poll.

“Whatever happened last year was last year,” Hitchens said of the game.

 CdM quarterback Michael Borchard threw and ran the ball well in his debut.

Borchard finished with 162 yards passing and 58 yards rushing. He scored on a two-yard run with 7:42 to go in the second quarter.

Borchard’s and Dalton developed a rapport. He hit Dalton five times for 74 yards.

 CdM’s first punt of the season came midway through the fourth quarter.

 Jeremy Osso failed to win his first season opener as Costa Mesa’s coach.

After the Sea Kings beat the Mustangs, 34-6, at Jim Scott Stadium, Osso dropped to 0-4 in openers.

During the stretch, Costa Mesa has been outscored, 206-23.

“It wasn’t as bad as the first,” said Osso, who in his first season in 2006, Costa Mesa fell to Savanna, 55-7.

“We definitely need to come out better and stronger.”

 The Mustangs had a couple of their backs break long runs against a solid CdM defense.

Junior DaSean Grayson ripped a 35-yard run and senior Josh Erno recorded a 28-yard run. Erno led the team with 74 yards on 13 carries and he scored the team’s lone touchdown.

Grayson carried the ball four times, finishing with 33 yards.

“There’s a lot to draw from this game,” Osso said.

 Estancia’s offense stumbled in the first half against Trabuco Hills, recording zero points, zero first downs and four yards of total offense.

Estancia lost to Trabuco Hills, 42-7, at Jim Scott Stadium.

The Eagles finally moved the chains 47 seconds into the second half on a two-yard run by Alex Abalos. They had to wait more than 10 minutes for their next first down.

Too many men on the field by Trabuco Hills gave Estancia a new set of downs to work with.

For the entire game, it seemed Estancia was overmanned.

“The one plus is we’ve probably just played the best team we’re going to see all season,” Estancia Coach Mike Bargas said of Trabuco Hills, ranked No. 5 in the CIF Southern Section Southwest Division preseason coaches’ poll.

Estancia is on the road in its next three games.

 In his debut as Estancia’s workhorse, Abalos carried the ball 15 times for 92 yards and one touchdown.

Abalos put the Eagles on the scoreboard with 2:01 left in the game. Abalos scored on a 31-yard run.

The senior’s longest run went for 51 yards.

 For a season opener, Estancia pulled off a rarity. The Eagles played penalty-free ball the entire four quarters.

Only one flag was thrown after Trabuco Hills had 12 players on the field during a punt return with 1:49 left in the third quarter.