HS FOOT: Small school wins with Grace

Once among the area's top small-schools programs, Grace Brethren of Simi Valley made the East Valley playoffs this season for the first time in four years -- but just barely, going 5-5 during the regular season and finishing in a three-way tie for second place in the Frontier League.

But the Lancers are still alive after eliminating Sage Hill of Newport Beach, then Oak Hills of Hersperia in the quarterfinals. Both victories were by two points, and Grace Brethren plays host to Ontario Christian on Friday at 7 p.m. at Moorpark College.

"We just have to keep finding ways to win," coach Terry Gourley said. "We're a passing team, and against Oak Hills the winds were 35 mph, so we couldn't do that, but it all worked out

The semifinal against Ontario Christian is a rematch of the 2004 Div. XII final won by Grace Brethren. The Lancers also won an eight-man title in 1999 and finished as a section runner-up in 2001, 2002 and 2005.

-- Gerry Gittelson