By Madison M. '29
Senior quarterback Demarco Hernandez found sophomore receiver Lance Brown on a 48-yard strike to open the game, then scrambled for a 10-yard score on his next drive, as No. 6 nationally ranked Sierra Canyon roared to a 52-0 home opener win against Saint Louis of Hawaii at Lower School Night on Thursday.
The Trailblazers fed off an electric atmosphere right from kickoff. Dressed in full neon, Upper Campus students poured into their designated section, and leaders held up whiteboards to direct unified chants. Meanwhile, Lower School students danced throughout the stands in hopes of getting on the Jumbotron, and Sierra Canyon's cheer squad helped keep the noise level booming on every play.
In the second quarter, sophomore backup quarterback Ian Patterson stepped in, driving the offense downfield and completing a short sideline route for a touchdown to senior running back Jaxsen Stokes. The Trailblazers' relentless defense kept the Crusaders from getting close to the end zone, and senior kicker Carter Sobel's field goal, combined with Hernandez’s touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Landon Ressler, stretched the lead to 31-0 at halftime.
After an entertaining halftime performance by Sierra Canyon's cheer team and an amusing field-goal kicking contest for Lower School students, the Trailblazer defense took advantage of a trio of Crusader turnovers in the third quarter to blow the game wide open. Sophomore linebacker Eli Zamorano, senior defensive back Duvay Williams, and junior playmaker Christian Butler each had pick-sixes to put the game away, 52-0.
The game was brought to an early close late in the third quarter after both head coaches mutually agreed to end play following a player injury.
With the win, the Trailblazers moved to 3-0 and will next take on Trinity League foe Orange Lutheran in the CIF-SS Ford Game of the Week this Friday, September 18.
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