Schools
The quiet kid and Wakanda
Usually a bit shy and shushed, sophomore Steven Lahood delivered resounding football in an LCA football loss with bright spots
He was the quietest of five brothers. While his older brothers fought and his younger brother was being the mischievous clown, Steven Lahood was the quiet -- and obedient -- of the siblings, both at home and at school.
But Friday, Steven made himself heard, first with a touchdown on the second play of the game and then by stripping the ball from Teach Tech Charter High player and running almost for a touchdown in what was Lighthouse's last chance to overtake its opponents.
Despite the sophomore's eruption on the football field, Lighthouse Christian Academy of Santa Monica lost its opening game 25-38 in its sputtered bid to establish league dominance this year.
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2019 was supposed to be the year for the Saints. With a crop of talented, speedy and big seniors, LCA hoped to win by big margins.
But key man, Levi Photenhauer, injured his knee in the first quarter and went out for the game. Without the speed of "Cheese" (as coach calls him for his shock of red hair), the Saints' offense centered pretty much around hulkish Marcus Scribner, who trains constantly and wants to crack the NFL.
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"We became one-dimensional," said Head Coach Zach Scribner, Marcus' uncle.
Marcus delivered.
After a controversial ref's call annulled a Lighthouse touchdown because of a smart block by Marcus, the blond-haired kid returned undaunted to the offense and caught a pass to not be denied the TD.
But it was not enough. At the end of the day, the Tech's Rams from Los Angeles, weaved and wobbled their way through the Saints enough times to secure the win.
Another bright spot for the Saints was Junior Josie Bowen. The adopted African son of Lighthouse missionaries seemed to draw superpowers from Wakanda as he kicked into fifth gear and wrangled an opponent to the ground. He made tackles and blocks for a solid performance.
Then there was the kid brother freshman, smiley and wiry Rob Scribner, who in the final minutes of the game forced a turnover by making a 4th quarter tackle that breathed a last hope into the Saints.
"They played hard to the end," said Defensive Coordinator Lucas Moraida.
"They all fought to the last whistle," said Offensive Coordinator Justin Kayne. "They didn't put their heads down once and roll over. We have greatness here. We just got to discover it."
