HS FOOT: After hosting 24-team tourney this weekend, Saugus will focus on selves

Saugus plays host to its annual "Under The Lights" tournament on Friday and Saturday at nearby Central Park, an impressive 24-team, 7-on-7 passing fest that includes some of the Southland's top programs like Westlake, Oaks Christian, Valencia, Alemany, Notre Dame, Hart and Long Beach Poly.

But after that, Saugus, hoping to rebound after going just 3-7 last year after advancing to the section semifinals the previous two seasons, is calling it quits on passing tournaments.

"We're cutting down. It's just kind of a philosophical shift," coach Jason Bornn said. "I'll be honest, if we didn't didn't have to put on this tournament, I wouldn't do that either. We're done with tournaments. They're pointless. We just feel the merit we used to gain from them is not the same anymore. Some schools like St. Bonaventure feel the same way, and it doesn't seem to be hurting them this year."

Saugus needs to prove it can win without quarterback Desi Rodriguez and running back Ryan Zirbel, the school's most productive offensive players in history who graduated after the 2008 season.

This year, Saugus has two quarterbacks competing, senior Evan Steen and junior Jared Carbajal.

On defense, Saugus returns three of its top hitters, linebackers Chris Wolford and Ely Perez and strong safety Donavyn Hardy, and Bornn said he is impressed with cornerback Scott Hamilton, a basketball convert playing football for the first time.

-- Gerry Gittelson