SAUGUS' EARLY BLOOMER SOPHOMORE AHLHEIM ALREADY HAS PROVEN HIMSELF AT QB.

Byline: Kevin Flavin Staff Writer

When the Saugus High offense takes the field tonight against Hart with an opportunity to win the Foothill League title, the Centurions will place their offense in the hands of 15-year-old sophomore quarterback Chris Ahlheim.

It's a big responsibility for someone not yet old enough to drive, but it's a job that Ahlheim has had since the third game of the season and one he has grown to relish.

``Every snap is a learning experience for me,'' said Ahlheim, whose development has helped Saugus return from a 1-3 start to earn a berth in the Southern Section playoffs next week.

``He's a major part of why we're doing what we are,'' said Saugus head coach Ron Hilton, who said that he wasn't looking for a three-year quarterback when he promoted Ahlheim to the varsity over the summer.

``He sees the defense, understands what he has to do and isn't afraid to change things,'' Hilton said. ``He's pretty intelligent on the field.''

Ahlheim's intelligence has helped him, but he thinks that proving his physical toughness to his teammates early in the season was his toughest task.

``I really wanted to earn the respect of the lineman,'' he said. ``Once I did that, I could focus on getting the job done.''

Inside the huddle is where Ahlheim might have improved the most this season. He has developed leadership qualities as he has gained confidence in his ability.

``Early on, he didn't believe it was his team,'' Hilton said. ``When he started getting more reps, he became more of a leader.''

Ahlheim agreed he is only now getting comfortable with his leadership role.

``Coach Hilton wanted me to be a leader, but I wasn't sure what he really wanted,`` he said. ``I was thinking people weren't going to listen.''

Hilton said Ahlheim has developed quickly since the coaching staff decided to stop splitting the quarterback responsibilities with Andy Basey after the second game of the season.

``I was kind of surprised,'' said Ahlheim, about hearing the news that he had been awarded the starting job. ``I read about it in the paper.''

Ahlheim has completed 114 of 195 passes for 1,358 yards this season but considered not playing football after his freshman baseball season last year.

A pitcher for the Centurions freshman team that went 17-5-1 last year, Ahlheim went 5-1 with a 1.01 earned-run average and almost decided to concentrate on baseball instead of playing football this fall. He never shared his plans with the football coaches, but quickly changed his mind when Hilton offered him the chance to play varsity football.

``I was brought up for the playoffs last year and I was amazed by the intensity,'' he said. ``It was like 'Wow, I want to do this.' ''

Ahlheim opened the eyes of the Saugus coaching staff as a freshman, when he passed for more than 1200 yards. His year sounds even more impressive considering the Saugus freshman team doesn't usually pass the ball very much.

His favorite target last year was Kevin Estes, who has joined him on the varsity this season. The two hooked up for more than 900 yards last year, leaving hope that the duo could be as successful as Saugus' top offensive weapons - David Parker and Nathan Steele - last season.

``We're looking forward to a few more good years together,'' Ahlheim said, ``but I'm playing for the seniors right now.''

After the Centurions' victory over Canyon, Hilton said Ahlheim was already ``playing like a junior.'' The coaching staff has shown its growing confidence in him by opening up the offense and throwing the ball downfield more.

However, Ahlheim makes decisions that make the coaching staff painfully aware he is a sophomore. He has thrown six interceptions this season and thrown into defenses that he probably shouldn't have, but he doesn't hide behind his youth.

``I'm just a player and I make mistakes,'' he said. ``I don't think it's right that people excuse it because I'm a sophomore.''

Despite his inexperience, the coaches have even given Ahlheim the leeway to call audibles and take advantage of certain situations. He has made the right call in most situations, although Hilton was quick to point out a few situations against Canyon when he ran the play right into the defense.

Ahlheim's development has been part of the maturation of the entire Saugus offense, a process that has included improved play from the offensive line and the addition of a running game with the arrival of Brandon McCullough. Both have opened up the field for Ahlheim and increased his chances to run the offense effectively.

Although tonight's game is the biggest of his short career, Ahlheim said he is trying to approach it like any other game, focusing on reading the defense and making good passes.

``If I can make quick reads, the receivers do what they're supposed to do and the ball's there, then we'll have a fun time passing on Hart.''

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(color) Sophomore quarterback Chris Ahlheim has completed 114 of 195 passes for 1,358 yards for Saugus this season.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer