Sage falls back

MOJAVE — The Sage Hill School football team traveled 139 miles to face Mojave Friday night.

On the field, the Lightning felt miles behind the Mustangs, even from the outset.

Mojave took back the opening kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown on its way to a 36-0 nonleague win.

The Lightning (1-2) also allowed a punt return for a touchdown in the first half and the Mustangs earned a safety, as they built a 21-0 halftime lead.

Sage Hill played much of the game without quarterback Taylor Petty, who strained a hamstring last week, Coach JR Tolver said. Petty played “about five or six plays,” Tolver said during a phone interview.

With Petty out, the Lightning couldn’t get much going on offense, as Mojave bottled up running back Eric Cheng.

“We got dominated,” Tolver said. “Offensively we couldn’t move the ball. Defensively we actually did OK.”

— From staff reports