Top-seeded CdM denied sixth CIF title as Grace Brethren pulls off 26-14 upset victory in Division 4 finals

Corona del Mar players deal with Saturday’s CIF loss to Grace Brethren in the CIF Division 4 finals.

Grace Brethren’s football team used a powerful running attack and displayed a shutdown defense in the second half to upset top-seeded Corona del Mar 26-14 to win the CIF Division 4 championship game Saturday night at Royal High in Simi Valley.

CdM was trying to capture the sixth CIF football title in school history.

To see the slide show, please click on the first photo

Corona del Mar takes the field for Saturday's CIF finals.

Grace Brethren captains meet for the coin toss Saturday.

CdM captains meet at midfield for the coin toss Saturday night.

CdM's Mark Redman is tackled in Saturday's game.

Grace Brethren students support their team Saturday night.

CdM cheerleaders encourage their team Saturday night.

CdM's Jason Vicencio tries to break free of a Grace Brethren defender.

Ethan Garbers of CdM drops back to pass Saturday night.

Lontrelle Diggs of Grace Brethren looks for an open lane Saturday night.

Josh Henderson of Grace Brethren picks up yards against Corona del Mar.

Chander Fincher of Corona del Mar gains yards Saturday night.

Grace Brethren quarterback Mikey Zele drops back to pass Saturday night.

Trenton Gill of Grace Brethren picks up yards against CdM.

CdM's Chandler Fincher reacts to the Sea Kings loss to Grace Brethren Saturday night.

Corona del Mar quarterback Ethan Garbers gets support from teammate Connor McDonald after Saturday's loss.

CdM coach Dan O'Shea holds the runner-up trophy the Sea Kings received Saturday night.

Coach Josh Henderson of Grace Brethren holds the CIF championship plaque.

The third seeded Lancers (12-2) won their ninth consecutive game and won the championship for the second straight year and fourth overall.

Josh Henderson rushed for 108 yards to lead the Lancers, who compiled 272 yards on the ground. Lontrelle Diggs and Mikey Zele combined to add another 153 yards rushing. Grace Brethren scored two touchdowns in the second half to seal the win.  

After leading at halftime 14-13 the Sea Kings were unable to establish a consistent offense in the second half. They turned the ball over twice and were victims of two long Grace Brethren scoring drives.  

Quarterback Ethan Garbers completed 24 passes for 268 yards but was intercepted three times, twice in the second half.

“It was Grace Brethren’s night, they deserve to win the championship,” said CdM Coach Dan O’Shea. “They’re a good football team and they did a god job on us on defense in the second half.”

Early in the third quarter, the Lancers went on 17-play, 95-yard scoring drive that lasted 8:06. It culminated with a Diggs one-yard TD run. Grace Brethren went for a two-point conversion and failed but took a 19-14 lead with 48 seconds left in the third quarter.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Zele scored on a 20-yard touchdown run to up the lead to 26-14.

The Sea Kings turned the ball over twice in the fourth quarter and lost for the first time since the first week of the season.  

“We couldn’t convert on third downs, “said Lancers receiver Simon Hall, who caught four passes in the game.  

CdM wide receiver Bradley Schlom said it was a tough night.

“We didn’t execute to our best ability and we made too many mental mistakes,” said Schlom, who caught seven passes in the game. 

The Lancers took the opening kickoff and marched 68 yards in eight plays to take a 7-0 lead.  Grace Brethren ran the ball on seven of the eight plays and Stanley Taufoou capped the drive with a four-yard TD run.  

The Sea Kings responded on the ensuing possession moving the ball 79 yards in nine plays to tie the score at 7-7. Garbers completed six passes for 72 yards to spark the drive and culminated the surge with a one-yard touchdown run.  

Both defenses stiffened over the next few series before Lancers placekicker Kevin Aranda booted a 39-yard field goal at the 8:50 mark of the second quarter giving Grace brethren a 10-7 lead.

Once again, CdM countered by putting together a solid drive that resulted in a 20-yard TD pass from Garbers to tight end Mark Redman to give the Sea Kings a 14-10 lead with 6:26 left in the half.

Redman caught six passes for 69 yards and a TD in the game.

The Lancers rallied late in the half and Aranda kicked a 38-yard field goal to cut the lead to 14-13 at the break.  

The game was evenly played in the first half as CdM compiled 172 yards of offense to Grace Brethren 171 yards. Garbers completed 12 passes for 129 yards and a TD in the first half and had an interception. Bradley Schlom and Redman each had four catches a piece for the Sea Kings over the first 24 minutes of play.   

Henderson led Grace Brethren with 54 yards rushing in the opening half.  

“We didn’t give up the big play and we tackled well and I think that was the difference in the game,” said Lancers coach Josh Henderson.

                    STATS

CDM         07 07  00   00           —  14

GB            07  06  06   07           —  26

RUSHING: CdM Vicencio 8-44; GB Henderson 19-108, Zele 12-76, Diggs 18-77.

PASSING: CdM  Garbers 24-41-3, 268 yards, TD; GB Zele 4-110, 58 yards

RECEIVING: Receiving, Redman 6-69, Schlom 7-77; GB Receiving, Bennett 1-18, Gourley 1-19

PRE-GAME PICTURES FROM TONIGHT’S CIF CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

-Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone