Grace Brethren will be looking for its second CIF-Southern Section championship when it travels to Saddleback Valley Christian Saturday night in the East Valley Division (XIII) final. Both teams enter the game undefeated with 13-0 records.
This is the second year in a row that Grace Brethren will play for a section title. Last year, the Lancers lost to St. Margaret’s 34-21. St. Margaret’s went-on to play in the CIF Division IV State Football Championship game, losing to Modesto Central Catholic.
Except for last week’s 46-41 semifinal win over Brethren Christian, the Lancers haven’t really been challenged all year. In last week’s victory, Brethren Christian had to battle back from a 26-0 deficit.
Offensively, Grace Brethren is averaging 45.7 points per game, while the defense has only given up 85 this year, of which 41 were scored by Brethren Christian last week. The defense has eight shutouts this year.
Saddleback Valley Christian, which is seeking its first-ever CIF-SS title, was knocked-out in the semifinals last year, also by St. Margaret’s, a team they beat in the opening round of this year’s playoffs.
Like Grace Brethren, SVC enters the game with a potent offense, averaging 45.6 points per game. Junior quarterback Cade Henjum has completed 99 of 162 passes for 1,903 yards with 29 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Henjum is averaging over 19 yards per completion. He’s also rushed for 497 yards and six scores.
Henjum’s main target has been junior Savai’i Cravens, who has 45 catches for 962 yards with 11 TD’s.
On the ground, senior Dalton Lohman is averaging over 12 yards per carry with 16 touchdowns. On the season, Lohman has 1,328 yards.
On defense, Jonathan Bunnel has 12 and a half sacks.
Grace Brethren, which will be looking for its second CIF-SS title, is led by junior QB Nick Jules, who has thrown for 2,023 yards and 30 touchdowns with only four interceptions. Senior running back Zikel Reddick has rushed for 2,030 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Defensively, junior Tucker Robertson has 11.5 sacks.
CIF-SS East Valley Division
