Move the sticks, don’t turn the ball over.

So read the pithy text message Carlsbad High School football coach Thadd MacNeal received Friday from Julian Sayin.

“That’s our quarterback philosophy at Carlsbad,” MacNeal said.

The low-frills approach works at Ohio State, too, as Sayin proved Saturday in a clean and poised showing by the 20-year-old sophomore in his first collegiate start.

Throwing a 40-yard touchdown pass and committing no turnovers, Sayin assisted third-ranked Ohio State’s 14-7 victory over top-ranked Texas in Columbus.

“He really didn’t make any big mistakes,” said MacNeal, who wore a scarlet Sayin jersey.

It’s good for Carlsbad’s mayor that Sayin will be playing football instead of running for local office.

“Sayin, Sayin, Sayin!” chanted Carlsbad fans who, along with

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